What is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?

Generally once you choose your health insurance plan during your plans open enrollment period you are locked into that plan for the year. However, there are exceptions to that rule.

A special enrollment period refers to a time outside your normal benefits enrollment period in which you can sign up or change your health insurance. Certain life events may qualify you to enroll or change your plan during a special enrollment period. The most common include

• Moving

• Got married

• Got divorced or legally separated AND lost health insurance

• Having a baby

• Adopting a child

• Placed a child for foster care

• If planholder dies and you lose health insurance

• Your household income is below a certain amount

• Losing health insurance through employer

These are not the only qualifying events but the most common. If you had a life event and lost coverage or need to change coverage, visit Healthcare.gov special enrollment information page for a more in depth list and qualifications.