One big change doesn't have to upend everything.
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"I lost my health insurance because of a job change. It was a relief to find out I had options. With a genetic risk for breast cancer, I need to be tested often. I'm so grateful to be covered."
Special Enrollment Periods
If you experience a life event - like losing health coverage, getting married, or moving to Maine - you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
After Open Enrollment ends, certain life events can unlock an enrollment window for you. We call this window a "Special Enrollment Period," or "SEP." During this window, you may be eligible to enroll in health insurance outside of Open Enrollment, change your plan selection, or enroll with a different effective date.
All plans available through the CoverME.gov state-based Marketplace are high-quality and Affordable Care Act-compliant. This means you cannot be charged more because you have a pre-existing condition. You also cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Plans purchased through CoverME.gov guarantee you access to Essential Health Benefits and the opportunity to qualify for financial savings that you won't find elsewhere.
To enroll through a Special Enrollment Period, contact our Consumer Assistance Center as soon as possible. Verification of life events may be required to unlock your enrollment window.
There are 3 main categories of Special Enrollment Period:
- Losing your health coverage
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People who lose their coverage may be eligible for the "Loss of Qualifying Health Coverage" Special Enrollment Period. Examples of loss of coverage include:
- Losing job-based coverage because you lost or quit your job
- Losing Medicaid or other government-sponsored coverage
If you lost health coverage for another reason, contact us to see if you still qualify.
Report your loss of coverage to CoverME.gov's Consumer Assistance Center (1-866-636-0355 TTY: 711) during the period starting 60 days before you lose coverage until 60 days after you've lost coverage. To qualify, someone in your household must be eligible for insurance through CoverME.gov. The Consumer Assistance Center will ask you to submit proof of your loss of coverage.
Coverage selected through the "Loss of Qualifying Health Coverage" SEP will take effect on the first of the month following the date that you select your plan, or on the first of the month following the last day you had your prior coverage (whichever is later).
- You are moving or about to move
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People who lose their health coverage because of a move may be eligible for the "Permanent Move" Special Enrollment Period. This includes:
- People who moved to Maine permanently from out-of-state and lost or cancelled their health coverage as a result
- People who moved permanently from one part of Maine to a different part of Maine and lost, cancelled, or need to change their health coverage as a result
Report your move to CoverME.gov's Consumer Assistance Center (1-866-636-0355 TTY: 711), during the period starting 60 days before your move until 60 days after you’ve moved. To qualify, someone in your household must be eligible for insurance through CoverME.gov and have had qualifying health coverage within the last 60 days. The Consumer Assistance Center will ask you to submit proof of your address change, including proof of your old address, your new address, and of your prior coverage.
Coverage selected through the "Permanent Move" SEP will take effect on the first of the month following the date that you select your plan.
- Changes to your household
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People who have household changes may be eligible for the “Change in Household” Special Enrollment Period. Examples of household changes include:
- Having a baby
- Adopting a child, or court or child support order
- Marriage or entering a domestic partnership
Report your household change to CoverME.gov's Consumer Assistance Center (1-866-636-0355 TTY: 711) within 60 days of the change. To qualify, someone in your household must be eligible for insurance through CoverME.gov. There may be a requirement that someone in your household had qualifying health coverage. For the full requirements to use this SEP, contact the Consumer Assistance Center (1-866-636-0355 TTY: 711).
Adding a child to your household?
If you are adding a child to your household, coverage will take effect on the date of birth or adoption.
Getting married or entering a domestic partnership?
To qualify, someone in your household must be eligible for insurance through CoverME.gov. You may qualify for this SEP if at least one of the spouses or partners either:
- Had comprehensive health coverage for at least one day of the 60 days prior to getting married or registering the domestic partnership
- Lived in a foreign country or a US territory for at least one day of the 60 days prior
If you are getting married or entering a domestic partnership, coverage will take effect on the first of the month following the date that you select your plan.
Other life events may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.
People who experience special or unexpected circumstances may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period not listed here. You will need to contact the Consumer Assistance Center (1-866-636-0355 TTY: 711) to determine if you qualify. A list of life events and circumstances that may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period can be found at https://www.healthcare.gov/sep-list/.
Please note: as of March 2026, CoverME.gov is no longer offering online self-service for Special Enrollment Periods.
Information about SEP verification documents is available here.
We're ready when you are.
Think you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period? Report life changes by calling our Consumer Assistance Center at 1-866-636-0355 TTY: 711.
If you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, you usually have 60 days after the event to enroll in a plan. Some life events can be reported 60 days in advance. Some life events require verification.
Currently enrolled in a health insurance plan through CoverME.gov?
Report life events that might qualify for Special Enrollment right away. If you qualify, we’ll give you the opportunity to change your plan and covered household members.
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New to CoverME.gov?
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