⚠️ 60-Day Deadline: Spirit Airlines employees who lost coverage when the airline shut down have exactly 60 days from the date coverage ended to enroll in a new health plan through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). After that window closes, you must wait until ACA open enrollment (November 1). Don't wait.
Week 1: Immediate Actions (Do This First)
✅ 1. Confirm your health coverage end date
Call Spirit's HR line, check your benefits portal, or look at your COBRA election notice. You need this date to calculate your 60-day enrollment deadline.
Call Spirit's HR line, check your benefits portal, or look at your COBRA election notice. You need this date to calculate your 60-day enrollment deadline.
✅ 2. Check if your COBRA is available — and for how long
Spirit's COBRA may be very limited due to the bankruptcy. Don't assume 18 months. Confirm the actual duration with Spirit's benefits administrator.
Spirit's COBRA may be very limited due to the bankruptcy. Don't assume 18 months. Confirm the actual duration with Spirit's benefits administrator.
✅ 3. Contact the group life insurance carrier (31-day window)
Find Spirit's group life carrier and ask about conversion rights. You have only 31 days. Even if you're healthy and plan to buy term coverage, confirm your options first.
Find Spirit's group life carrier and ask about conversion rights. You have only 31 days. Even if you're healthy and plan to buy term coverage, confirm your options first.
✅ 4. Enroll your family in your spouse's employer plan
If applicable, contact your spouse's HR immediately — this window is 30–60 days.
If applicable, contact your spouse's HR immediately — this window is 30–60 days.
Week 2: Get Covered
✅ 5. Contact a licensed health insurance broker
A broker compares every ACA plan in your county, calculates your subsidy, and enrolls you — for free. Takes 20–30 minutes.
A broker compares every ACA plan in your county, calculates your subsidy, and enrolls you — for free. Takes 20–30 minutes.
✅ 6. Estimate your 2025 income
Include Spirit wages + unemployment benefits + any projected new job income. Be honest but conservative to maximize your subsidy.
Include Spirit wages + unemployment benefits + any projected new job income. Be honest but conservative to maximize your subsidy.
✅ 7. Enroll in an ACA health plan
Choose the plan that fits your budget and healthcare needs. Silver plans offer the best value for most income levels.
Choose the plan that fits your budget and healthcare needs. Silver plans offer the best value for most income levels.
✅ 8. Add dental and vision coverage
These are available year-round, no enrollment period. Plan $15–$45/mo for dental, $8–$18/mo for vision.
These are available year-round, no enrollment period. Plan $15–$45/mo for dental, $8–$18/mo for vision.
Within 30 Days: Fill the Remaining Gaps
✅ 9. Get individual life insurance quotes
If you were relying on Spirit's group life plan, apply for a new individual term policy. Lock in your rate while you're young and healthy. Takes one online application.
If you were relying on Spirit's group life plan, apply for a new individual term policy. Lock in your rate while you're young and healthy. Takes one online application.
✅ 10. Consider disability insurance
Especially if you're a pilot, mechanic, or flight attendant — your income is tied to your ability to physically work. An individual disability policy bridges the gap between jobs.
Especially if you're a pilot, mechanic, or flight attendant — your income is tied to your ability to physically work. An individual disability policy bridges the gap between jobs.
✅ 11. When starting a new airline job: compare employer vs. marketplace
Don't automatically drop your ACA plan when you start at a new employer. Compare costs and networks before switching.
Don't automatically drop your ACA plan when you start at a new employer. Compare costs and networks before switching.
Your Insurance Coverage Status Tracker
| Coverage Type | Status After Spirit | Action Needed | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | ❌ Ended | Enroll in ACA plan | 60 days from coverage end |
| Group life insurance | ❌ Ended | Convert or buy new | 31 days for conversion |
| Dental insurance | ❌ Ended | Buy standalone plan | Any time (no deadline) |
| Vision insurance | ❌ Ended | Buy standalone plan | Any time (no deadline) |
| Short-term disability | ❌ Ended | Buy individual policy if needed | As soon as employed |
| Long-term disability | ❌ Ended | Buy individual or wait for employer | When new job starts |
Frequently Asked Questions
Former Spirit employees need to replace: health insurance (60-day deadline), group life insurance (31-day conversion window or new policy), dental insurance, vision insurance, and short/long-term disability coverage. Health insurance has the most urgent deadline.
Health insurance is the most urgent — the 60-day Special Enrollment Period deadline is the only time-sensitive window. Group life conversion has a 31-day window. Dental and vision can be purchased at any time. Life and disability insurance should be addressed after health coverage is secured.
A licensed independent broker can typically help with health, life, dental, vision, and disability insurance. They compare multiple carriers for each coverage type and handle the enrollment — at no cost to you. This is the most efficient way to replace all of your Spirit benefits at once.
ACA marketplace enrollment can be completed in a single call or online session with a licensed broker. Coverage typically begins the 1st of the following month (or the month after) depending on when during the month you enroll. In urgent situations, some plans allow for immediate effective dates.