Special Enrollment Period

What’s a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?

A time outside of the Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including;

  • losing health coverage,
  • moving,
  • getting married,
  • having a baby, or adopting a child
  • significant increase in income

If you qualify for an SEP, you usually have up to 60 days following the event to enroll in a plan. If you miss that window, you have to wait until the next Open Enrollment Period to apply. Job-based plans must provide a special enrollment period of at least 30 days.