Job change, new baby, recent move — here's how to get covered any time of year.
Open Enrollment runs from November 1 through January 15 each year. Miss it, and many people assume they're stuck without coverage until the next cycle. But that's not true. Millions of Americans qualify for health insurance outside of Open Enrollment every year through Special Enrollment Periods, Medicaid, and other pathways. Here's everything you need to know.
A Special Enrollment Period is a window of time — typically 60 days — during which you can enroll in or change an ACA marketplace plan outside of the standard Open Enrollment period. SEPs are triggered by specific "qualifying life events" that change your health coverage needs or situation.
For most events, you have 60 days after the event to enroll. For loss of coverage, you may also have 60 days before the coverage loss date — so if you know your job ends on March 31, you can start shopping for marketplace coverage in February and have it take effect April 1.
This is the most common SEP trigger. You qualify if you lose:
Note: Voluntarily dropping coverage does NOT trigger an SEP. Choosing not to renew during Open Enrollment does not count. The coverage must end involuntarily.
Note: Moving within the same county or ZIP code generally does NOT trigger an SEP if your plan options don't change.
Medicaid has no Open Enrollment period. You can apply and enroll any month of the year. If your income falls at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (in expansion states), you can apply immediately through your state Medicaid agency or through HealthCare.gov and often be enrolled within days.
Income limits for Medicaid (Medicaid expansion states, 2026):
If you lose your job and your income drops significantly, check Medicaid eligibility first before enrolling in a marketplace plan — it may be free and immediately available.
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost coverage for children in families that earn too much for Medicaid but can't afford private insurance. Like Medicaid, CHIP is available year-round. Income eligibility is higher than Medicaid — typically up to 200–300% of the federal poverty level depending on the state. Children can enroll any time. See our family health insurance guide for more on CHIP.
If 60 days pass after your qualifying event without enrolling, your SEP closes. Your options become limited:
Short-term plans can be purchased year-round with no enrollment period. Since federal rule changes in 2024, they are limited to an initial term of 3 months (with one possible 3-month extension). They do not cover pre-existing conditions, mental health, or maternity care and are not ACA-compliant. They work as a gap solution, not a replacement for real coverage. See our full comparison of short-term vs. ACA plans.
Open Enrollment begins November 1 each year. Coverage enrolled by December 15 takes effect January 1; coverage enrolled by January 15 takes effect February 1. If you're in good health and the gap will be short, this may be acceptable — but going uninsured carries real financial risk.
For adults under 30 who qualify for a hardship exemption (which includes being uninsured for 45+ days), a catastrophic ACA plan may be available during an SEP. These have very high deductibles but cover preventive care and provide a safety net against major medical costs.
This is the most common reason people need an SEP. Your SEP window starts 60 days before your last day of employer coverage and ends 60 days after. Act quickly — you can select a marketplace plan to start the day after your employer coverage ends, creating seamless coverage with no gap.
Marriage triggers an SEP for both spouses. You have 60 days from the wedding date to enroll. This is a great time to compare whether staying on separate plans, joining one spouse's employer plan, or enrolling together in a marketplace plan makes the most financial sense.
A birth automatically triggers an SEP. Your newborn can be added to your existing plan immediately, with coverage backdated to the birth date. Parents who don't have coverage can also enroll within 60 days of the birth.
For more context on plan costs and options, read our guide to how much health insurance costs in 2026 and the cheapest health insurance options.
Our free quote tool finds marketplace plans in your area — including Special Enrollment Period options if you qualify.
Get Your Free Quote NowYes. A qualifying life event (job loss, marriage, birth, move, etc.) triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period during which you can enroll in an ACA marketplace plan. Medicaid can be applied for year-round with no window restrictions.
You have 60 days from the qualifying event to enroll. For loss of coverage, you may also enroll up to 60 days before the coverage end date to avoid a gap.
Qualifying events include losing health coverage, getting married or divorced, having a baby, adopting a child, moving to a new coverage area, gaining citizenship, losing Medicaid eligibility, and several other life changes defined by the ACA.
If your SEP window closes, your primary options are Medicaid (year-round, if you qualify), a short-term health plan (limited to 3 months, not ACA-compliant), or waiting for the next Open Enrollment period starting November 1.