What Is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?
 Written & Edited by Fran Majidi Fran MajidiFran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about i... Read more |
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Each year, there is an Open Enrollment Period (OEP), during which people can buy health insurance. In 2022, the OEP is November 15 through January 15. If you do not enroll during that time and experience certain life changes, you can enroll during a Special Enrollment Period.
What Is the Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?
You can sign up for a health insurance plan outside of the Open Enrollment Period during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you qualify with a life event, such as:
- Getting married
- Getting divorced or separated
- Having or adopting a child
- Losing a job
- Moving
- Graduating from college
- An enrollment or plan error
- Getting offered an individual coverage HRA (ICHRA) or a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA) from an employer
- Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
- Becoming a U.S. citizen
- Leaving prison
- Starting or ending service as an AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, or NCCC member
- If you lose health insurance coverage when a partner dies
Note: Extensive traveling and moving residences for medical treatment do not count towards eligibility to enroll in coverage during SEP.
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How Long Is the Special Enrollment Period?
You will have 60 days before and after the event to buy health insurance. If you miss the Open Enrollment Period due to COVID, you will still be eligible to buy a plan.
You may be asked to submit documents based on the life event you attest makes you eligible for SEP. This does not mean that you are disqualified, but you may lose your chance if you do not submit the requested documents in a timely manner.
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Key Takeaways
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Fran Majidi manages content on SmartFinancial's website. She's had nearly a decade's worth of experience writing about insurance-related topics. Prior, she was an arts and entertainment editor in New York City. She has a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.F.A. in writing from The New School. She writes books under her given name, Afarin Majidi.
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