What must consumers do if they want to apply for health insurance outside of open enrollment?

To apply for health insurance outside of the open enrollment period, consumers must qualify for a special enrollment period. This requirement is in place because open enrollment is the designated time frame when individuals can enroll in or change their health insurance plans without needing to demonstrate any qualifying circumstances.

A special enrollment period allows individuals to apply for health insurance outside the traditional open enrollment window if they experience certain life events—such as moving to a new county or state, getting married, having a baby, or losing other health coverage. By qualifying for a special enrollment period, consumers gain the flexibility to obtain health insurance when their circumstances change, ensuring they do not go without essential coverage.

Other options would not be valid for enrolling in a plan outside of open enrollment. For instance, simply enrolling in any plan without qualification is not permitted, and while additional documentation may be required during typical enrollment processes, it does not specifically address the need for a defined qualifying circumstance for enrollment outside of the designated windows. Additionally, the option of applying only for short-term plans does not reflect the full range of options available to consumers who qualify for special enrollment, which can include comprehensive health insurance plans as well.