Special Enrollment is a time outside the yearly Open Enrollment Period when you can sign up for health insurance. You generally have 60 days following a Qualifying Life Event to enroll in a new health insurance plan.
Note: In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, the President signed an executive order to help more Americans enroll in health insurance. Beginning February 15, 2021 and continuing through August 15, 2021, all Marketplace-eligible consumers qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
After August 15th, 2021, you must have a Qualifying Life Event in order to enroll in a new marketplace plan for 2021. Catch will ask questions during your application to determine if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you’ve had certain life events, including:
Changes in household
Getting married, divorced, or legally separated
Having a baby, adopting a child, or placing a child in foster care
Death of a family member on your health insurance plan
Changes in primary residence
Moving to a new home in a new ZIP code or county
Moving to the U.S. from a foreign country or United States territory
If you're a student, moving to or from the place you attend school
If you're a seasonal worker, moving to or from the place you both live and work
Moving to or from a shelter or other transitional housing
Note: You must confirm you had qualifying health coverage for one or more days during the 60 days before your move.
Loss of insurance
Loss of job-based coverage
Loss of individual coverage
Losing eligibility for CHIP, Medicaid, or Medicare
Losing coverage through a family member
Other changes
Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe or status as an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Corporation shareholder
Becoming newly eligible for Marketplace coverage because you became a U.S. citizen
Leaving incarceration
Starting or ending service as an AmeriCorps State and National, VISTA, or NCCC member
Additionally, you can enroll in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) any time of year, whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or not.