What Is a Special Enrollment Period?
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) gives you 60 days to enroll in an ACA marketplace plan outside of Open Enrollment. It's triggered by a qualifying life event — a significant change in your life circumstances that affects your health insurance needs.
Qualifying Life Events
- Losing existing coverage — job loss, COBRA expiring, aging off parent's plan, divorce. See: Lost Your Job
- Getting married — can add spouse or switch to spouse's plan. See: Got Married
- Having a baby or adopting — add newborn to existing plan or enroll in new one. See: New Baby
- Moving to a new state — new plans available in your area. See: Moved States
- Turning 26 — aging off parent's insurance. See: Turning 26
- Getting divorced — losing spouse's coverage. See: Divorce
- Income change — becoming newly eligible for subsidies or Medicaid
The 60-Day Clock
You have 60 days from your qualifying event to enroll. This deadline is firm. If you miss it, you must wait until the next Open Enrollment Period — which could be months away.
SEP applies to both: A qualifying life event triggers enrollment eligibility for both ACA marketplace plans (with subsidies) and private off-marketplace ACA-compliant plans. For non-ACA plans like short-term insurance, no SEP is needed — you can enroll any time.
Related Terms
Last updated: March 30, 2026.
