Can I get health insurance outside open enrollment?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Yes - three doors stay open year-round: a Special Enrollment Period (qualifying events like losing coverage, marriage, a baby, or a move, generally within the past 60 days), Medicaid and CHIP (no enrollment season at all - apply any day, enroll immediately if your income qualifies), and COBRA (your exact old plan, at full premium plus 2 percent, after leaving a job). What does NOT open a door: getting sick, or missing a deadline without an event. The self-check: did anything on the qualifying-events list happen in your last 60 days? If yes, you can enroll today. If no, note the next Open Enrollment and check Medicaid meanwhile. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you check your situation.
What to do
- Run the 60-day event check first: coverage loss, marriage, baby, move, divorce.
- Check Medicaid regardless: year-round, income-based, immediate.
- Just left a job? COBRA preserves your network: at a price.
- No event and no Medicaid? Mark Open Enrollment: and set a reminder now.
Related questions
- What is a special enrollment period?
- How long do I have to enroll after losing coverage?
- How do I keep health insurance between jobs?
- Does Medicaid cover telehealth?