You May Still Qualify for Health Insurance Through Georgia Access
Life changes fast. Marriage, a move, a new job, or losing coverage can happen to anyone. You may still qualify for health insurance through Georgia Access, even if you missed Open Enrollment.
Each year, Open Enrollment is the time when most Georgians can sign up for health insurance through Georgia Access, the state’s health insurance marketplace. For coverage in 2026, Open Enrollment ran from November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026. Outside of that window, you typically need to experience a qualifying life event to enroll in or change a plan through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
What Is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?
A Special Enrollment Period is a time outside of Open Enrollment when you can sign up for health insurance because of certain life changes called qualifying life events.
SEPs give you a chance to enroll in coverage when you experience changes that affect your health coverage needs. To qualify for an SEP, you must have experienced one of these events, and you usually have 60 days before or after the event to enroll. In some cases, you may have more time.
Qualifying Life Events That May Give You an SEP
You may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if you have recently experienced one of the following:
Household Changes
You may qualify if you or someone in your household:
Got married
Had a baby or adopted a child, with coverage starting the day of the event
Got divorced or legally separated and lost health insurance as a result
Moves
You may qualify if you:
Moved to Georgia from another state or United States territory
Moved to a new ZIP code or county within Georgia
Moved for school, work, or from a shelter or transitional housing
Losing Health Coverage
You may qualify if you:
Lost employer-sponsored health insurance
Turned 26 and aged off a parent’s health plan
Lost Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids®, with up to 90 days after losing coverage to enroll through Georgia Access
Had COBRA coverage end
Eligibility Changes
You may qualify if you or someone in your household:
Gained United States citizenship or an eligible immigration status
Were released from jail or prison (incarceration)
Gaining membership in a federally recognized tribe
Starting or ending AmeriCorps service
Other Situations
Certain unexpected circumstances, such as a natural disaster or serious illness, may also qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period.
Important Special Enrollment Period Income Update for 2026
Income alone no longer qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period.
In previous years, people with incomes below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Level could qualify for a year round SEP. As of August 2025, this income based Special Enrollment Period is no longer available.
What this means:
Having a low income by itself does not qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period
To enroll outside of Open Enrollment, you must have a qualifying life event
Income still matters for determining whether you qualify for financial help, including premium tax credits, once you enroll
If you are unsure whether you qualify, it is still worth checking your eligibility.
How to Apply for a Special Enrollment Period
There are several ways to apply for coverage through Georgia Access:
Apply Online
Visit GeorgiaAccess.gov to see if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and submit an application online.
Get Free, One-on-One Help
Georgians for a Healthy Future offers free enrollment assistance through a Certified Application Counselor. Certified Application Counselors (CACs) are trained and state certified to help people understand their options and apply for coverage. They do not recommend specific plans.
Call for Help
You can contact the Georgia Access helpline at 888-687-1503 or TTY 711 for help with eligibility or the application process. You may need to provide documentation, such as proof of a move or loss of coverage, to verify your Special Enrollment Period eligibility.
We Can Help You Get Covered
Navigating health insurance can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do it alone. Georgians for a Healthy Future is a state-approved Certified Application Counselor partner for Georgia Access and offers free enrollment assistance to help Georgians understand their options and enroll in coverage that fits their needs. Get started today by connecting with a GHF enrollment assister to find out whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Quick Special Enrollment Period Reminders
Most Special Enrollment Periods last 60 days from the qualifying life event
If you lose Medicaid or PeachCare for Kids®, you have up to 90 days to enroll through Georgia Access
Income alone does not qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period, but it can affect how much financial help you receive
Free help is available through Georgia Access and Certified Application Counselor enrollment assisters
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