The Health Insurance Marketplace offers SEPs for many situations, including:
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Special Enrollment vs Open Enrollment
The Open Enrollment Period for the Health Insurance Marketplace® opens on November 1. This is when you can switch health plans or sign up for a new plan. You must enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1.1
Outside of the open enrollment period, if you experience a qualifying life event, you may be eligible to make plan changes or enroll in a new plan during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
You can enroll in a vision plan or a dental plan at any time of the year.
What is a Special Enrollment Period?
An SEP lets you enroll in health coverage or switch plans outside of an open enrollment period. SEPs can help you avoid gaps in your coverage and stay on top of your health care needs.
As set by the US Department of Health & Human Services, you might be eligible for an SEP if you go through certain qualifying life events.
The timeframe for enrolling in or changing a plan during an SEP varies – it could be 60 days before or after the event, depending on the type of SEP.
Changes in household
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
Changes in residence
If you move to:
- A different ZIP Code or county within the US
- The US 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
Loss of health insurance
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)
Other situations
If you or anyone in your household:
- Are 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 US 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)
Have questions about SEPs?
Call us at 800-383-1514.
Point of Blue
Visit our blog for more tips to get the most out of your enrollment periods.
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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