Qualifying life events (QLEs) allow individuals to enroll in health insurance outside the standard Open Enrollment Period. These events typically fall into four categories:

1. Loss of Health Coverage – Losing employer-based insurance, individual plans, student coverage, or eligibility for Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP.

2. Changes in Household – Getting married or divorced, having a baby, adopting a child, or experiencing a death in the family.

3. Changes in Residence – Moving to a new ZIP code or county, relocating for school or work, or transitioning from a shelter or temporary housing.

4. Other Qualifying Events – Changes in income affecting eligibility, gaining tribal membership or Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) shareholder status, becoming a U.S. citizen, leaving incarceration, or starting/ending AmeriCorps service.