Which life events qualify?
| Life event | Opens a special enrollment period? |
|---|---|
| Losing health coverage, for example through a job loss or aging off a parent's plan at 26 | Yes |
| Moving to a new area where different plans are available | Yes |
| Getting married, or losing coverage because of a divorce | Yes |
| Having a baby or adopting a child | Yes |
| Quitting a job voluntarily | Not by itself. Losing the job's health coverage can qualify. |
| Missing open enrollment | No |
Quitting a job voluntarily does not qualify by itself, but losing the job's health coverage can. Missing open enrollment is not a qualifying event.
How long do I have to act?
In most cases you have 60 days from the event. For loss of coverage you can often start the application up to 60 days before the coverage ends, which helps avoid a gap. When coverage starts depends on the event and the date you choose a plan.
You may be asked to show proof of the event, such as a letter from your former insurer or a lease.
What if nothing qualifies?
Your main options are to wait for the next open enrollment, check whether you qualify for Medicaid, or look at short-term and other non-ACA plans. Those plans can have important limits, such as not covering pre-existing conditions, so a licensed agent should explain them before you decide.
See our Individual & Family plans
Major medical coverage for you and your household, with subsidies applied where you qualify.Special enrollment deadline calculator
Enter the date of a life event to see your 60-day window to pick a health plan.
Talk to a licensed agent
We compare plans, explain the tradeoffs and help you enroll. It costs you nothing.