Special Enrollment

Special Enrollment Period

A Special Enrollment Period is a special window of time outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period when you can enroll in health or dental insurance through Access Health CT. To qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you must prove that you have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). If you have a QLE, your Special Enrollment Period will generally last 60 days from the date of the Event. If you qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or if you are an American Indian or Alaska Native, you can enroll in coverage any time of the year.

Other opportunities to enroll:

If you qualify for 2026 Temporary Premium Assistance, you can enroll in health coverage now. Eligibility is based on your household income and size. You must call us to enroll at 1-855-805-4325. Check your eligibility (opens in new window).

Some Connecticut residents that meet specific requirements may qualify for the Covered CT Program (opens in new window). If you qualify for the Covered CT Program, you can enroll in coverage any time of the year.

Common Qualifying Life Events

Qualifying Life Events open a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in health or dental insurance any time of year. Typically, you have 60 days from the date of your Qualifying Life Event to enroll in coverage. You will also be required to verify your Qualifying Life Event (opens in new window) in order for your coverage to begin.

Common Qualifying Life Events (QLEs) include:

• Losing coverage through your employer or certain changes to employer contributions to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or a Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSERA), including a gain of either one.
• Exhaustion of COBRA coverage. Voluntary termination of COBRA coverage does not qualify as a QLE.
• Losing your coverage due to a job change. Voluntary cancellation of coverage or termination by an insurer due to non-payment of monthly payments (premiums) does not qualify as a QLE.
• Losing coverage through your spouse or parent. Be sure to know when the policy will end in order to understand the best time to enroll.

See a full list of Qualifying Life Events (opens in a new window).

Enrollment Checklist:

What you need to complete an application

Have this information for yourself and anyone in your household applying for coverage:

• Dates of Birth
• Social Security numbers
• Visa, Green Card or immigration documents
• Most recent Form W-2 and/or Form 1040 or Form 1099
• Current insurance coverage
• Paystubs, Profit & Loss statements, or other employment information to confirm income for everyone in your tax household

Frequently Asked Questions: Special Enrollment Period