When you can sign up for coverage, and how to enroll outside the normal window.
Open Enrollment is the yearly period when anyone can sign up for or change a marketplace health plan, generally running from November 1 through January 15 in most states, though exact dates can vary by state. Outside this window, enrollment is generally closed unless you qualify for an exception.
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) opens a window to enroll outside the standard schedule when you experience a qualifying life event. Common triggers include losing other health coverage, getting married or divorced, having or adopting a child, moving to a new area with different plan options, or a change in income that affects your subsidy eligibility.
Special Enrollment Periods typically last 60 days from the date of the qualifying event, so timing matters. Waiting too long can mean missing the window and having to wait for the next Open Enrollment period instead.
Life events that trigger a Special Enrollment Period aren't always obvious, and rules can vary by state. Checking your eligibility is the fastest way to find out whether you can enroll right now.
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page or read the full Coverage Guide.