What is a Special Enrollment Period?
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a window outside Open Enrollment when you can enroll in or change a Marketplace plan because of a qualifying life event such as losing other coverage, getting married, having a baby, or moving, per HealthCare.gov (2026); you usually have 60 days from the event to enroll.
More on this topic: health insurance marketplace
What the government has said, on the record
Here's how a federal official described it, on the record:
“A time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance.”
— Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (HealthCare.gov), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services), HealthCare.gov Glossary, Special Enrollment Period (SEP) (source)
Editor's note: Official HealthCare.gov (CMS) definition. Confirm current rules at HealthCare.gov.
Who said this
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (HealthCare.gov) · Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
Risks & deadlines
- You typically have 60 days from a qualifying life event to enroll under an SEP.
Also asked as
- What qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period?
- SEP ACA rules
Sources
Last verified: 2026-07-19