Proof of Insurance

What Is Proof of Insurance?

Proof of insurance is a document that shows that an individual is covered under an insurance plan. Though applicable to several types of insurance, the most relevant to HR is health insurance. Employees (or their dependents) may need to show proof of insurance for health coverage in a few different scenarios:

• At a doctor’s office or hospital

• When enrolling at a college or university 

• When filing income taxes

Though proof of insurance doesn’t need to be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you need to have proof of coverage on hand in case of an audit.  

What Counts as Proof of Insurance?

Below are a few examples of proof of insurance or health coverage. Not all of these may be applicable or valid in every situation, so be sure to check with the requesting institution to make sure you have the right documentation:

• A current member ID card

• A letter from your insurance company verifying coverage, sometimes called a certificate of coverage

• Explanation of benefits

• Form 1095-A, if you are covered by a plan purchased through the health insurance marketplace

• Form 1095-B, if you purchased coverage directly from an insurer or are employed in a small business with less than 50 full-time employees

Form 1095-C, if you are covered by an employer-sponsored plan