How to get health insurance when your life changes
What is a special enrollment period?
A special enrollment period is your chance to make changes to your health insurance plan or pick a different one based on new needs because of changes in your living situation. It's the only way to change your plan outside the open enrollment period, which runs from November 1 to January 15 each year.1
To become eligible for a special enrollment period, you need to experience an important life change called a qualifying life event. What counts as a qualifying life event is determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
What is considered a qualifying life event?
If you or anyone in your household:
- Gets married
- Has a baby, adopts, or places a child in foster care
- Loses health insurance due to a divorce or legal separation
- Passes away
If you move to:
- A different ZIP code or county within the U.S.
- The U.S. from outside the country
Or, move to or from:
- A place you attend school
- A place you both live and work (if you're a seasonal worker)
- A shelter or other transitional housing
If you or anyone in your household loses health coverage from:
- An employer
- An individual health insurance plan
- Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Medicare
- A family member's plan (for example, dependents turning 26 years old)
If you or anyone in your household:
- Is offered a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) through your employer
- Gains membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
- Becomes a U.S. citizen
- Leaves incarceration
- Starts or ends service as a member of AmeriCorps State and National, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), or National Civilian Community Corps (NCC)
How to apply for a Special Enrollment Period
Generally, a special enrollment period is only available up to 60 days after the qualifying event. After that, you may not be able to add or update your health insurance coverage until the next open enrollment period begins.
If you qualify and are ready to take advantage of the special enrollment period by signing up for health insurance, here are some steps you'll need to take:
- Explore your coverage options and any subsidies you might qualify for.
- Gather any documentation you may need to report your change in eligibility, such as proof of residency, a marriage or birth certificate, or proof of loss of health insurance.
- Apply for new coverage or update your existing coverage within 60 days.
Knowing your options and taking advantage of special enrollment periods can protect you when life throws unexpected challenges your way. That’s good for your health and great for your peace of mind.
