Proof of Insurance

What is “proof of insurance”? 

Proof of insurance refers to a document that verifies that an individual is covered under an insurance plan. It is commonly issued by an insurance company or broker. In the HR space, the most common proof of insurance is for health insurance. 

In certain situations, employees or their dependents may be asked to provide any proof of insurance for health coverage. Examples of such situations are when filing income taxes or when at a clinical facility. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not require individuals to submit proof of insurance. However, it may be required in case of an audit. 

What are examples of proofs of insurance? 

Proof of insurance documents may vary depending on the company or institution that is asking for one. The document must ideally have the policyholder’s name, effectivity date of the policy, type of health insurance coverage, and other policy information.

Here are examples of documents that can pass as proof of insurance: 

• Valid member ID card
• Letter issued by the insurance company that verifies coverage. This is also called a “Certificate of Coverage”
• Form 1095-A (Health Insurance Marketplace Statement) for those plans purchases through the health insurance marketplace
• Form 1095-B (Health Coverage) for those with coverage purchased directly from an insurer or employed in a small business with less than 50 employees
• Form 1095-C (Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage) for an employer-sponsored plan