Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) Reference Chart

Generally, people can only enroll in a marketplace plan or switch plans on HealthCare.gov during the annual open enrollment period. But people who experience certain life events during the year are able to newly enroll in a plan or switch plans outside of open enrollment through a special enrollment period (SEP).

This reference chart is a comprehensive guide to SEPs. It covers the circumstances that trigger a SEP in the marketplace, the eligibility criteria for various SEPs, and the effective date of coverage once a health plan is selected.