Special Enrollment Period
Life changes happen. When they do, choose a health plan that fits your lifestyle and budget.
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We'll share special enrollment information and guidance to help you choose the best plan for your needs and budget. Learn about important deadlines, ways to save money and the steps to take before and after enrolling.
What is a Special Enrollment Period?
A Special Enrollment Period is a time during or outside the annual Open Enrollment Period (Nov. 1 through Jan. 15). If you've gone through a qualifying life event, you can sign up for Individual & family health coverage during your Special Enrollment Period.
There are many rules around a Special Enrollment Period but here are some important things to keep in mind:
- In most situations, you will have 60 days before or 60 days following the event to enroll in a plan
- You will be asked to send documents to confirm that you qualify, like a marriage certificate or proof that you moved
- Voluntarily canceling other health coverage or being terminated for not paying your premium is not considered a loss of coverage
- Your coverage will start when you pick a plan, but you can't use your coverage until you confirm you qualify and you pay your first premium payment
Qualifying life events
A qualifying life event (QLE) is a change in your life situation that makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. These events allow you to enroll in Individual health coverage outside the annual Open Enrollment Period.
Losing qualifying health coverage
When you lose your health coverage, you need a plan that is affordable and accessible.
With MyPriority plans, you have choices and options to help save money and tools that make it easier to understand costs.
Qualifying events include:
- Job loss
- Leaving your job or retiring early
- Losing COBRA coverage
- Losing Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage
- Turning 26 and losing coverage under parent's plan
Getting married
Preparing for a wedding is exciting and there are lots of things to plan for. Make sure you don't forget to plan for affordable health coverage, too.
With a MyPriority plan, you get more than a health plan – you get a partner who offers more ways to access care, save money and help you stay healthy for a bright future.
Adding to your family
Congratulations! Having a baby is an exciting time in your life and you need to concentrate on your priorities.
All MyPriority plans cover preventive care in full, making well-child visits and immunizations one less thing you need to worry about paying for.
Qualifying events include:
- Birth
- Adoption
- Foster care
- Become or gain a dependent
Additional qualifying life events
A lot can happen in a year and your health plan may have to change, too.
Going without health coverage can be a financial risk, so it's essential to have affordable coverage. Additional qualifying events include:
- Moving
- Divorce
- Becoming a U.S. citizen
- Death of a policyholder
- Leaving incarceration
Ready to learn more?
Visit our Learning Center, where you can find informative articles and videos on qualifying life events, as well as other resources to help you navigate the process of shopping for and enrolling in an ACA plan.
Learning CenterDon't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?
Check the full list of qualifying events for a Special Enrollment Period at healthcare.gov. If you don't qualify for SEP, you can purchase a MyPriority Short-term plan until you qualify, or until the next annual Open Enrollment Period.