Enroll by December 15, 202638 Days Left
Special Enrollment Period Help When Life Changes
A special enrollment period lets you get marketplace coverage outside Open Enrollment after a qualifying life event, such as losing job coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby.
- Usual Window After a Life Event
- 60 Days
- Usual COBRA Maximum
- 18 Months
Do You Need a Special Enrollment Period?
Not during Open Enrollment. On HealthCare.gov it runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, and anyone can enroll or switch plans without a life event.
The low-income monthly enrollment has ended.
The special enrollment period for incomes at or below 150% of the poverty level is not available in 2026 or 2027. If your income is low, enroll during Open Enrollment or check whether you qualify for Medicaid.
Common Qualifying Life Events and Deadlines
Miss your window and you wait for the next Open Enrollment.
| Life Event | Window to Enroll | What to Have Ready |
|---|---|---|
| Losing job-based coverage, Medicaid, CHIP or a parent's plan at 26 | Usually 60 days before or after the coverage ends | A letter or notice that shows the date your coverage ends |
| Moving to a new zip code or county | 60 days after the move | Proof of your new address and of the coverage you had before the move |
| Getting married | 60 days after the wedding | Your marriage date and your spouse's details |
| Having a baby, adopting or placing a foster child | 60 days after the birth or placement | The date of birth, adoption or placement |
| Being a member of a federally recognized tribe or an Alaska Native (ANCSA) shareholder | Any time of year, with one plan change a month | Proof of tribal membership or shareholder status |
Your Health Idaho and Connect for Health Colorado can differ on details.
Losing Medicaid? You Can Move to a Marketplace Plan
Losing Medicaid or CHIP counts as losing coverage, so it opens a special enrollment period.
New work requirements will end Medicaid for some adults in our states. Montana's began July 1, 2026. From January 1, 2027, adults covered through Medicaid expansion in Utah and Idaho must show 80 hours a month of work or other qualifying activities, or $580 a month in income, unless an exemption applies.
If your income is too high for Medicaid, you may qualify for a tax credit on individual and family health insurance instead.
If Your Medicaid Is Ending
- Ask Whether You Qualify for an Exemption
- Estimate Your Household Income for the Year
- List Your Doctors and Prescriptions
- Apply for a Marketplace Plan Before Medicaid Ends
COBRA vs a Marketplace Plan After a Job Loss
COBRA insurance lets you keep your employer's plan after you leave the job. Federal COBRA covers employers with 20 or more employees, and many states have mini-COBRA laws for smaller ones.
| What Changes | COBRA | Marketplace Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Plan and doctors | The same plan, network and benefits you had at work | A new plan. You choose the insurance company and network. |
| What you pay | The full premium, including your employer's old share, plus up to a 2% fee | The premium minus any tax credit you qualify for |
| Deductible progress | Carries over for the rest of the plan year | Starts over with the new plan |
| How long it lasts | Up to 18 months in most cases | Renews each year while you pay |
When COBRA Can Make Sense
You've met most of your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, you're in the middle of treatment, or you need to keep a specific doctor or drug.
When a Marketplace Plan Often Wins
Your income qualifies for a tax credit, your household is healthy, or another network works just as well. Turning down COBRA doesn't block a tax credit.
What to Do After a Life Event
Write Down the Date
Your window counts from the day of the event, not the day you start shopping.
Confirm the Event Qualifies
We check which special enrollment period applies and how long you have.
Weigh Your Options
COBRA, a spouse's job plan, Medicaid and marketplace plans with any tax credit.
Enroll and Confirm the Start Date
We finish the application with you and check when your new coverage begins.
Get Help Before Your Window Closes
Thank You, We Have Your Request
Want a set time instead? Pick one on our calendar.
What Our Clients Say
Beyond Health has been a great help, guiding me through the complex world of comparing and setting up different insurance plans and options. My agent, Colleen, especially provides easy to understand communication and clearly cares about my case.
The agent helped me understand my health care so I felt empowered making informed decisions. I've referred several people to them and will continue to do so.
Special Enrollment Period FAQ
How Long Do I Have to Get Health Insurance After Losing My Job?
Apply as soon as you know the date your job-based coverage ends. Applying before it ends lets your new plan start right after the old one, with no gap.
Does Quitting My Job Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?
Yes. Losing job-based coverage qualifies whether you quit, were laid off or had your hours cut. Dropping coverage on purpose while you still have it, or losing it for not paying premiums, doesn't qualify.
Can I Switch From COBRA to a Marketplace Plan?
Yes, during Open Enrollment, or when your COBRA runs out, because that counts as losing coverage. Dropping COBRA on purpose outside Open Enrollment doesn't open a special enrollment period.
When Does Coverage Start After a Special Enrollment Period?
Usually on the first day of the month after you pick a plan. After a birth, adoption or placement, coverage can start on the day of the event.
Does Divorce Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period?
Only if it makes you lose health coverage, for example when you come off a spouse's job-based plan. Then you have the same window as any other loss of coverage.
Lost Coverage? Let's Plan Your Next Step
We meet by phone or video, at a time that suits you.
Beyond Health employs licensed insurance producers authorized to sell life and health insurance in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana and South Carolina. Our activities comply with state licensing requirements and partner carrier guidelines. Product availability and enrollment options may vary by state. Plan details, prices and deadlines on this page come from government and insurer sources and can change. Your agent confirms them before you enroll.