US Medical Term · insurance
Special Enrollment Period
Período de Inscripción Especial
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Special Enrollment Period |
| Spanish (Español) | Período de Inscripción Especial |
| Chinese (中文) | 特别报名期 |
| Korean (한국어) | 특별 가입 기간 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thời gian Đăng ký Đặc biệt |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Special Enrollment Period |
| Portuguese (Português) | Período de Inscrição Especial |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ช่วงเวลาการลงทะเบียนพิเศษ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 特別登録期間 |
What it means
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a limited window—typically 60 days—outside the annual Open Enrollment Period during which you can enroll in or change a marketplace health insurance plan. SEPs are triggered by qualifying life events such as losing other health coverage, getting married, having a baby, moving to a new coverage area, or gaining citizenship. Medicaid and CHIP enrollment remain open year-round regardless of SEPs. If you miss your SEP window, you must wait until Open Enrollment unless another qualifying event occurs. Keep documentation of your qualifying event as the marketplace may request proof before activating your coverage.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
SPEH-shul en-ROHL-ment PEER-ee-ud
período de inscripción especial
Abbreviated as SEP
Abreviado como SEP
Marketplace notice: 'You have 60 days from your qualifying event to enroll'
'Tiene 60 días desde su evento calificado para inscribirse'
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026