GLOSSARY · HEALTH

Special Enrollment Period (ACA SEP)

60-day window to enroll in or change ACA marketplace coverage outside Open Enrollment, triggered by a Qualifying Life Event.

Health 📋 Reviewed by InsureCo Editorial Team · Updated April 30, 2026
Quick definition: 60-day window to enroll in or change ACA marketplace coverage outside Open Enrollment, triggered by a Qualifying Life Event.

Full explanation

An ACA Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a 60-day window (typically 60 days after an event, sometimes also 60 days before) during which you can enroll in or change marketplace coverage outside Open Enrollment. Common Qualifying Life Events: loss of other coverage (employer plan, COBRA exhaustion, age-out at 26, Medicaid loss), marriage, birth or adoption of a child, divorce with loss of coverage, permanent move to a new coverage area, change in income that affects subsidy eligibility (in marketplace), gaining citizenship, release from incarceration. Voluntary loss of coverage (quitting your employer plan to shop on the marketplace) generally does NOT qualify.

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