What is a qualifying life event?

In the United States, a qualifying life event is a change in situation, such as having a baby, getting married, getting divorced, or a job loss, that entitles you to a special enrollment period, allowing you to change your health insurance coverage.

Events that Qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period

  • Changes in household
    • Had a baby, adopted a child, or placed a child in foster care.
    • Got married.
    • Got divorced.
    • Died.
  • Changes in residence
    • Moving to a new home.
    • Moving to a new country
    • Student moving to or from school.
    • Seasonal worker moving to or from place of work.
    • Moving to or from transitional housing (i.e., shelters).
  • Loss of health insurance
    • Losing employer health coverage.
    • Losing individual health coverage.
    • Losing coverage provided through family member.
    • Losing Medicare.
    • Losing Medicaid.
    • Losing CHIP.
  • More qualifying changes