When it comes to signing up for health insurance, there’s usually a short window each year called open enrollment. In most states, this happens from November to January. It’s the time when you can sign up for a new plan or make changes to the one you already have.
This time limit helps prevent people from waiting until they’re sick or injured to get coverage. But don’t worry—if something big happens in your life, like having a baby or losing other coverage, you might still qualify to enroll through a Special Enrollment Period, or SEP.
In this guide, we’ll break down what an SEP is, which life events qualify you for one, and what steps to take if you do qualify.
When Is Open Enrollment?
It’s helpful to know the key dates so you’re not caught off guard. During this time, you can freely sign up for or switch your health insurance plan.
Here are the major dates to remember:
- November 1: Open enrollment begins. You can sign up for a new plan or renew/change your current one through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
- December 15: Last day to enroll if you want coverage to start on January 1. (In Idaho, this is also when open enrollment ends.)
- January 15: Open enrollment officially ends for most states.
- February 1: Coverage starts for those who enrolled between Dec 16 – Jan 15, as long as they’ve paid their first premium.
Keep in mind: These dates usually apply to people buying individual plans. If you get insurance through your job, your company might have a different enrollment schedule.
What Is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?
A Special Enrollment Period lets you get or change health insurance outside the regular open enrollment window—but only if something major happens in your life.
Some examples include getting married, having a baby, losing your job-based coverage, or moving to a new state. In most cases, you’ll have 60 days from that event to make changes to your health plan.
If you miss that window, you might have to wait until the next open enrollment period, which could leave you without coverage for a while.
Note: If you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you can enroll anytime during the year.
How Do I Qualify for an SEP?
To get a Special Enrollment Period, you need to go through a qualifying life event. These fall into four main groups:
1. Loss of Coverage
You may qualify if you:
- Lose job-based coverage
- Age out of your parent’s plan (this usually happens at age 26)
- Are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP
- Lose a student health plan
Important: If you cancel your coverage on purpose, that doesn’t count.
2. New Health Benefit Offered
If your employer starts offering something like an HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) for the first time, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan within 60 days.
3. Changes in Household
You may qualify if you:
- Get married
- Have a baby or adopt
- Divorce or legally separate and lose coverage
- Lose a family member who provided your coverage
Note: Domestic partnership rules vary by state.
4. Changes in Where You Live
Moving can also trigger an SEP, like:
- Changing ZIP codes
- Moving to the U.S. from another country or territory
- Students moving to/from where they go to school
- Seasonal workers relocating for work
Just moving for medical treatment won’t qualify you.
Other Events That May Qualify
You might also get an SEP if:
- There was an error during enrollment
- You gain or become a dependent due to a court order
- You win an SEP appeal
- You’re a survivor of domestic abuse and need separate coverage
- You’re released from incarceration
- You’re a member of a federally recognized tribe or an ANCSA Corporation shareholder
- You start or end service with AmeriCorps, VISTA, or the National Civilian Community Corps
You can also qualify if a natural disaster or emergency caused you to miss your SEP window.
If you have job-based coverage and it becomes unaffordable (meaning premiums cost more than 9.02% of your household income in 2025) or the plan no longer meets minimum standards, you can switch to a Marketplace plan through an SEP—but you have to drop the employer plan first.
SEP for Low-Income Families
There’s also a special SEP for people with low income. In 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services created a new SEP for households earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level. If you qualify for premium tax credits, you can use this SEP to enroll in affordable coverage even if it’s outside the regular enrollment period.
