⚠️ 60-Day Deadline: Spirit Airlines employees who lost coverage when the airline shut down have exactly 60 days from the date coverage ended to enroll in a new health plan through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). After that window closes, you must wait until ACA open enrollment (November 1). Don't wait.
What Is a Special Enrollment Period?
The ACA marketplace normally only accepts new enrollments during open enrollment (November 1 – January 15 each year). But certain life events — including losing employer-sponsored health coverage — open a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that lets you enroll any time during the year.
Every former Spirit Airlines employee who lost their health coverage when Spirit shut down qualifies for this SEP. You do not have to wait until November 1.
What Qualifies as a Loss of Coverage SEP?
| Event | Triggers SEP? | Enrollment Window |
|---|---|---|
| Spirit Airlines shutdown — lost employer plan | ✅ Yes | 60 days from coverage end |
| Spirit COBRA plan ending | ✅ Yes | 60 days from COBRA end |
| Divorce — lost coverage through spouse | ✅ Yes | 60 days |
| Voluntarily quitting a different job later | ❌ No | Must wait for open enrollment |
| Annual income change only | ❌ No | Must wait for open enrollment |
Coverage Can Start Very Quickly
When you enroll through an SEP, your coverage timeline depends on when during the month you enroll:
- Enroll by the 15th of the month → Coverage begins the 1st of the following month
- Enroll after the 15th → Coverage typically begins the 1st of the month after next
- Some SEP enrollment allows for immediate or retroactive coverage — a broker can confirm your specific options
Don't wait until November: Waiting for open enrollment means going potentially 6–10 months without health insurance. One emergency room visit, one unexpected illness, or one accident during that gap could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. The SEP exists for exactly this situation — use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Every former Spirit Airlines employee who lost employer-sponsored health coverage qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period — a 60-day window to enroll in an ACA marketplace plan outside of open enrollment. You do not have to wait until November 1.
The 60-day Special Enrollment Period starts on the date your Spirit Airlines employer health coverage ended. If you're unsure of that date, check your last Spirit pay stub, COBRA notice, or contact Spirit's bankruptcy administrator.
Yes — as long as you're still within your 60-day SEP window. Coverage can begin as soon as the 1st of the following month after enrollment. A licensed broker can enroll you immediately.
If your Spirit COBRA coverage ended early (due to the plan terminating in bankruptcy), that COBRA termination itself triggers a new 60-day Special Enrollment Period. So even if your first SEP window has passed, you may have a second SEP triggered by COBRA ending. Contact a broker to determine which SEP applies to your situation.