If you experience a major life change, you might be eligible for a special enrollment period to buy or change your health insurance plan. Learn how special enrollment periods work.
A special enrollment period is your chance to make changes to your health insurance plan or pick a different one based on new needs because of changes in your living situation. It's the only way to change your plan outside the open enrollment period, which runs from November 1 to January 15 each year.1
To become eligible for a special enrollment period, you need to experience an important life change called a qualifying life event. What counts as a qualifying life event is determined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The Health Insurance Marketplace® offers special enrollment periods for many situations. Any of these situations may qualify you for a special enrollment period:
If you or anyone in your household:
- Gets married
- Has a baby, adopts, or places a child in foster care
- Loses health insurance due to a divorce or legal separation
- Passes away
If you move to:
- A different ZIP code or county within the U.S.
- The U.S. from outside the country
Or, move to or from:
- A place you attend school
- A place you both live and work (if you're a seasonal worker)
- A shelter or other transitional housing
If you or anyone in your household loses health coverage from:
- An employer
- An individual health insurance plan
- Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Medicare
- A family member's plan (for example, dependents turning 26 years old)
If you or anyone in your household:
- Is offered a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) through your employer
- Gains membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
- Becomes a U.S. citizen
- Leaves incarceration
- Starts or ends service as a member of AmeriCorps State and National, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), or National Civilian Community Corps (NCC)
Generally, a special enrollment period is only available up to 60 days after the qualifying event. After that, you may not be able to add or update your health insurance coverage until the next open enrollment period begins.
If you qualify and are ready to take advantage of the special enrollment period by signing up for health insurance, here are some steps you'll need to take:
- Explore your coverage options and any subsidies you might qualify for.
- Gather any documentation you may need to report your change in eligibility, such as proof of residency, a marriage or birth certificate, or proof of loss of health insurance.
- Apply for new coverage or update your existing coverage within 60 days.
Knowing your options and taking advantage of special enrollment periods can protect you when life throws unexpected challenges your way. That's good for your health and great for your peace of mind.
Get reliable answers to your insurance questions, such as how to get prior authorization and submitting a claim.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.
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