Yes, you can often enroll outside of Open Enrollment if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, typically triggered by a qualifying life event like losing coverage, moving, getting married, or having a child. Missing Open Enrollment doesn't necessarily mean waiting until next year.
Special Enrollment Periods
A Special Enrollment Period is a window outside standard Open Enrollment during which you may be able to enroll in or change marketplace coverage, typically triggered by a qualifying life event.
Common qualifying events
- Losing other health coverage (such as through a job change)
- Getting married or divorced
- Having or adopting a child
- Moving to a new coverage area
Documentation is usually required, and the window to act is often limited to a set number of days after the event, so it's worth reaching out as soon as the situation happens rather than waiting.
Other options outside Open Enrollment
Depending on your state, short-term medical plans or certain supplemental coverage may be available outside of standard enrollment windows, though these work differently from major medical marketplace plans. We can help you understand what's realistically available to you right now.
Don't overlook private insurance
Private plans, purchased directly from a carrier or through a broker, generally aren't tied to the marketplace's Open Enrollment calendar the same way. If your timing doesn't line up with a Special Enrollment Period, comparing private options is often worth doing before assuming you're stuck waiting.