What triggers a Special Enrollment Period?
Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) are triggered by specific life events that affect your health coverage. The type of SEP and how long it lasts depends on the triggering event.
Losing employer or union coverage
This is the most common SEP. If you delayed Medicare enrollment because you (or your spouse) had employer coverage, you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period starting the month after employment ends or coverage ends — whichever comes first.
⚠️ Don't wait for COBRA: COBRA is not creditable coverage for SEP purposes. If you take COBRA when you leave your job, your 8-month SEP clock starts when you leave employment — not when COBRA ends. Don't wait.
Moving to a new service area
If you move to a new area where your current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan isn't available, you get a 2-month SEP to choose new coverage.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
From January 1 through March 31 each year, if you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare. This is in addition to the annual Open Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7).
Other qualifying SEP events
- Your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan leaves Medicare — you get a 2-month SEP
- You become eligible for Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) — monthly SEP to join/switch Part D
- You move into or out of a nursing home or long-term care facility — monthly SEP
- You're released from incarceration — SEP to enroll
- You lose Medicaid eligibility — SEP for Medicare coverage changes
- FEMA-declared disaster in your area — SEP to make changes
5-star Special Enrollment Period
If a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan earns a 5-star rating, you can switch to it once per year outside of the normal enrollment periods. This rarely-used SEP is available December 8 through November 30 of the following year.