What Is a Special Enrollment Period?
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a window of time outside of open enrollment when you can enroll in or change health insurance because you've experienced a qualifying life event. Most SEPs last 60 days from the date of the qualifying event.
How to Use a Special Enrollment Period
- Experience a qualifying life event (job loss, marriage, birth of child, etc.)
- Go to HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace within 60 days
- Select a new plan
- Provide documentation of the qualifying event
- Coverage typically starts the first of the month after enrollment
⚠️ Don't let the 60-day SEP window expire. If you miss it, you typically must wait for open enrollment — which could mean months without coverage or being stuck on expensive COBRA.
SEP vs Open Enrollment
- Open enrollment: Annual window for everyone
- SEP: Triggered by specific life events, individual to you
- Both allow you to enroll in or change marketplace plans
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