AHIP Practice Exam

The reason getting married or losing coverage qualifies someone for a Special Enrollment Period is that these events directly impact an individual's health insurance needs and options. When a person gets married, they can often obtain new health insurance coverage through their spouse's plan or may choose to switch their own plan to accommodate their new family situation. This change is significant enough that it allows for adjustments to health insurance outside the regular Open Enrollment Period.

On the other hand, losing coverage—whether it's due to a job loss, losing dependent status, or moving out of an insurance plan—also creates a necessity for immediate health insurance enrollment. Losing coverage typically means that the individual is at risk of going uninsured, prompting the need for timely enrollment in a new plan to ensure they have access to needed health services.

These life events are specifically recognized under the regulations governing health insurance enrollment periods, which exist to help individuals smoothly transition their coverage in response to significant changes in their life circumstances.