Missed Open Enrollment? How ACA Special Enrollment Periods work

Updated October 2026 · 4 min read

For 2027 coverage, ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment closes on December 15 in states that use Healthcare.gov. If you didn't sign up in time, the door isn't fully closed: certain changes in your life open a Special Enrollment Period outside that window.

What counts as a qualifying life event

A qualifying life event is a specific change in your situation that the law recognizes as valid grounds to enroll outside of Open Enrollment. The most common ones are:

• Losing your current health coverage (for example, leaving a job)
• Getting married
• Having a baby or adopting
• Moving to an area with different plan options
• Changes to your income or immigration status that affect your eligibility

How much time you have to enroll

You generally have 60 days from the event to enroll or change plans. After that window closes, the Special Enrollment Period ends and you'd need to wait for the next Open Enrollment, unless a new qualifying event occurs.

Medicaid and CHIP: the year-round exception

If your income is low, you may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP at any point in the year, regardless of the Marketplace calendar. It's worth checking this option even if you think you don't qualify.

What to have ready when you apply for a life event

The Marketplace typically asks for proof of the event: a marriage certificate, a coverage termination letter, a birth certificate. Having it ready before you apply speeds things up.