This content is for general informational purposes and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Healthcare rules and costs change annually. Last reviewed: January 1, 2025. Always verify current details with your insurer, employer, or a licensed healthcare navigator.
Qualifying Life Event
A major life change that triggers a special enrollment period outside of open enrollment.
Full Definition
A qualifying life event (QLE) is a change in your life circumstances that makes you eligible to enroll in or change health insurance outside of the standard open enrollment period. Common qualifying events include: losing health coverage (job loss, aging off a parent's plan), getting married or divorced, having or adopting a child, moving to a new coverage area, or changes in income that affect marketplace eligibility. You typically have 60 days from the event to enroll.
Real-World Example
You leave your job in March and lose your employer health coverage — a qualifying life event. You have 60 days to enroll in a marketplace plan or COBRA without waiting for the next open enrollment.
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