Reviewed 2026-05-03
Special Enrollment Period
Plain-English definition of Special Enrollment Period with official-source context.
official sources
Glossary
Coverage terms glossary
Plain-English definitions for coverage-change terms with official-source context and cautious verification language.
Source hierarchy
Official
Freshness category
Monthly
Indexability
Published hub
What this hub can and cannot tell you
HealthPlansGuide is independent and is not a government website, broker, carrier, marketplace, or enrollment platform. This hub organizes educational, source-backed pages; verify deadlines, eligibility, and enrollment decisions through official sources or licensed help.
- It can organize source-reviewed pages by coverage question and route users toward official verification.
- It cannot enroll you, verify final eligibility, rank plans, sell a lead, or replace official Marketplace guidance.
Reviewed 2026-05-03
COBRA
Plain-English definition of COBRA with official-source context.
official sources
Reviewed 2026-05-03
Federal Poverty Level
Plain-English definition of Federal Poverty Level with official-source context.
official sources
Reviewed 2026-05-03
Advance Premium Tax Credit
Plain-English definition of Advance Premium Tax Credit with official-source context.
official sources
Reviewed 2026-05-03
Qualifying Life Event
Plain-English definition of Qualifying Life Event with official-source context.
official sources
Reviewed 2026-05-03
Loss of Coverage Event
Plain-English definition of Loss of Coverage Event with official-source context.
official sources
Reviewed 2026-05-03
Marketplace
Plain-English definition of Marketplace with official-source context.
official sources
Reviewed 2026-05-03
Medicaid and CHIP
Plain-English definition of Medicaid and CHIP with official-source context.
official sources
Reviewed 2026-05-03
State-Based Marketplace
Plain-English definition of State-Based Marketplace with official-source context.
official sources
Reviewed 2026-05-03
Federally Facilitated Marketplace
Plain-English definition of Federally Facilitated Marketplace with official-source context.
official sources
Reviewed 2026-05-03
COBRA Election Period
Plain-English definition of COBRA Election Period with official-source context.
official sources
Sources
Official government source
HealthCare.gov: Special Enrollment Period Retrieved 2026-05-02; last checked 2026-05-02Official government source
HealthCare.gov: COBRA coverage and the Marketplace Retrieved 2026-05-02; last checked 2026-05-02Official government source
U.S. Department of Labor: COBRA Continuation Coverage Retrieved 2026-05-02; last checked 2026-05-02Official government source
Federal Register / HHS: Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines Retrieved 2026-05-03; last checked 2026-05-03Official government source
CMS: States by Marketplace Type for Plan Year 2026 Retrieved 2026-05-04; last checked 2026-05-04Official government source
CMS / CCIIO: State-based Exchanges Retrieved 2026-05-04; last checked 2026-05-04Official government source
Medicaid.gov: Where Can People Get Help With Medicaid & CHIP? Retrieved 2026-05-04; last checked 2026-05-04