Enrollment Periods

I missed my state’s Open Enrollment deadline. Can I still get healthcare coverage?

If you missed the enrollment deadline in your state, it is still possible that you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that will allow you to apply for health insurance. You can qualify for an SEP if you have experienced a qualifying life event.

Qualifying life events can include:

Household and Family Changes:

• Marriage
• Divorce or Legal Separation
• Birth of a Child
• Adoption of a Child
• Death of a Policyholder or Covered Individual
• Placing a child in foster care

Changes in Residence:

• Moving to a new area
• Change in residence to a different plan area

Loss of Coverage:

• Loss of health insurance due to job loss or change in employment status
• Turning 26 and losing coverage under a parent’s plan
• Losing other health coverage (e.g., Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP)
• Losing coverage due to a change in eligibility

Other Qualifying Events:

• Gaining U.S. Citizenship
• Change in employment status
• Change in household size

Life insurance is a critical tool designed to ensure your family can maintain their living standards after your passing by distributing a large sum.

See a list of qualifying life events. You have 60 days (before or after, depending on the qualifying event) to enroll in a plan, if you qualify for an SEP.26 But, if you miss that 60-day window, you will have to wait until OEP to enroll in an individual health insurance policy for 2026.

Missed the Open Enrollment deadline? Short-term insurance may be an option

If you missed the 2025 Open Enrollment Period in your state and you do not qualify for an SEP, you may be able to apply for a short-term health insurance plan in some states.

• Short-term health insurance coverage can be purchased outside of OEP for up to four months during a 12-month period.
• Short-term health insurance plans function as a temporary fit for healthy people, as they will not cover pre-existing conditions, and may be subject to medical underwriting.
• States that don’t offer short-term health plans include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington state.
• If you do not qualify for an SEP and decide not to apply for a short-term health plan, you will have to wait until Open Enrollment 2026 begins in fall 2025.