Special Enrollment Period

A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) lets you sign up for or change your health insurance coverage outside the annual Open Enrollment Period if you experience a qualifying life event. These events include losing coverage due to a move, getting married, or having a baby. Typically, you are allowed a window of 30–60-days from the event to enroll. Qualifying events trigger a Special Enrollment Period for plans like those on HealthCare.gov (the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace) or through Medicaid/CHIP (anytime). It also applies to ACA plans offered through an employer.