Special enrollment periods allow eligible individuals to change health insurance within 60 days after major life events like moving, marriage, childbirth, or losing job-based coverage. These periods apply to both Individual Marketplace and Medicare plans. Rising premiums and medical costs make timely coverage review crucial. Open enrollment for the Marketplace is Nov 1-Dec 15, and Medicare's annual election is Oct 15-Dec 7. Special enrollment helps maintain affordable, adequate health coverage amid life changes.