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Special Enrollment Period

Connecting you to the best health insurance for every stage of your life.

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Special Enrollment Period

Connecting you to the best health insurance for every stage of your life.

I missed Open Enrollment. Can I still buy health insurance this year?

There are two set times to buy a health plan each year. The first is the Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which runs November 1 – January 15 each year and is the time when everyone can buy a health plan. The second is the Special Enrollment Period (SEP). The SEP runs January 16 – October 31.

The OEP which was open to all Marketplace-eligible individuals and families ended January 15. Beginning January 16, you must experience a qualifying life event in order to participate in the SEP. Qualifying life events include losing your current health care coverage, getting married, or having a baby. In most cases, you have 60 days (including weekends and holidays) from the date of your qualifying life event to buy a new health plan. You will be required to send in proof showing that you had a qualifying life event and your event’s date. Based on your income and family size, you may also be able to get financial help.

If you have a Community Health Choice Marketplace plan, you may be able to change your plan during an SEP as well.

Questions?​

Our hours of operation are
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Call Us:
Local: 713.295.6704
Toll-Free: 1.855.315.5386

Enroll Today

Special Enrollment Period Qualifying Life Events

There are several life events that qualify for a special enrollment.

Qualifying events may include:

  • You lose other health coverage due to job loss, a decrease in work hours, or end of COBRA coverage.
  • Your current health care coverage is ending on a date other than December 31st of the current plan year.
  • You move to a new area that provides you different plans or isn’t covered by your current insurance network.
  • You get married.
  • You give birth to or adopt a child, or gain a dependent through a court-order.
  • You obtain U.S. citizenship.
  • Your income or household status changes.
  • You are no longer covered on a parent’s policy because you turned 26.
  • You have legally separated from or divorced your spouse.
  • The primary policyholder on your current health insurance passed away.
  • You were affected by a FEMA-declared emergency or major disaster.

Special Enrollment Period Deadlines

In most cases, you have 60 days (including weekends and holidays) from the date of your qualifying life event to buy a new health plan.

Some qualifying events, like losing health care coverage due to job loss, may let you buy a plan up to 60 days before your event happens. Call us at 1.855.315.5386 with any questions.

Request More Information

Please fill out the form below to be contacted about our Health Insurance Marketplace plans.

Applying for Coverage

If your life event qualifies you to get health care coverage in a special enrollment, you have three ways to buy your plan:

  1. Online – You can buy your health plan on our website. Note: You must be on a Google Chrome browser. You can download Chrome here.
  2. Phone – Call 1.855.315.5386 to speak with a Community Health Choice licensed sales representative.
  3. Agent – Work with an independent, authorized insurance agent to sign you up.

Premium Tax Credits

Based on your income and family size, you may be able to get a subsidy, also known as a premium tax credit or financial help. This can help lower the amount you might pay for your health care coverage each month. Call us at 1.855.315.5386 to learn more.

  • An individual with an income under $51,040
  • A couple with an income under $68,960
  • A family of three with an income under $86,880
  • A family of four with an income under $104,800
  • A family of five with an income under $122,720

If You Don't Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period

If you can’t get health care coverage during SEP, you may still have options.

You may qualify for Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), CHIP Perinate Unborn, Medicare D-SNP, or other assistance based on your income. This health care coverage is provided by the government. These programs don’t have an SEP, so you can apply at any time. You may also qualify for financial help.

Why Choose Community?

As a local nonprofit health plan, Community Health Choice gives you plenty of reasons to join our Community. From the benefits and special programs we offer to the way our Member Services team helps you make the most of them, Community is always working life forward for you and your family.

“Community Health Choice is always there to answer my questions and help me and my family with our medical needs. I truly appreciate and value their customer support and service.”

– Cecily
Member of Community Health Choice
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Medicaid
Health Plan
04/01/2027

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Marketplace
Health Plan
03/01/2027

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