Special Enrollment Periods: how to get coverage outside Open Enrollment
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) lets you enroll in or change a Marketplace plan outside Open Enrollment after a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having or adopting a child. You generally have 60 days after the event to pick a plan (for some events, you can also report it up to 60 days before). Voluntarily dropping coverage doesn't qualify. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications any time.
Common qualifying life events
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Losing health coverage | Losing job-based coverage, losing Medicaid or CHIP eligibility, aging off a parent's plan at 26, losing individual coverage |
| Changes in household | Getting married, having a baby, adopting a child, divorce or legal separation with loss of coverage, death in the family with loss of coverage |
| Changes in residence | Moving to a new ZIP code or county, moving to the U.S., moving to or from a shelter or transitional housing (usually you need to have had coverage before the move) |
| Other events | Gaining citizenship or lawful presence, leaving incarceration, being offered an individual coverage HRA (CHOICE Arrangement) or QSEHRA by an employer, and certain other situations |
Summarized from HealthCare.gov's Special Enrollment Period guidance. The Marketplace may ask you for documents to confirm your event.
How long you have
In most cases you have 60 days following the event to enroll. For a planned loss of coverage, you can often report it and pick a plan up to 60 days before the coverage ends, so there's no gap. Don't wait: if you miss the window, you may have to wait until the next Open Enrollment.
What doesn't qualify
- Voluntarily dropping your coverage, or losing it because you didn't pay premiums.
- Voluntarily ending COBRA early outside Open Enrollment (running out of COBRA, or your former employer ending its contributions, can qualify). See COBRA vs Marketplace.
- Simply deciding you want different coverage mid-year.
Year-round options
- Medicaid and CHIP: apply any time. Your Marketplace application will tell you if you may qualify.
- Job-based coverage often has its own special enrollment rights (for example after marriage or a birth). Ask your employer's benefits office.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Special Enrollment Period?
Generally 60 days after the qualifying life event. For some events, like losing coverage, you can also report the event and choose a plan up to 60 days before it happens.
Does losing my job-based coverage qualify?
Yes. Losing job-based coverage is one of the most common qualifying events, even if you're offered COBRA.
Can I get an SEP if I just want a cheaper plan?
No. Wanting a different plan isn't a qualifying event. You can switch during Open Enrollment.
Does moving qualify me for a Special Enrollment Period?
Moving to a new ZIP code or county can qualify, but in most cases you must have had qualifying health coverage for at least one day in the 60 days before the move.
Can I apply for Medicaid outside Open Enrollment?
Yes. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications all year.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov: Getting health coverage outside Open Enrollment (accessed October 28, 2026)
- HealthCare.gov: COBRA coverage when you're unemployed (accessed October 28, 2026)
- HealthCare.gov: Individual coverage HRAs (for employees) (accessed October 28, 2026)
- HealthCare.gov: Qualified Small Employer HRAs (QSEHRAs) (accessed October 28, 2026)