Consumers will now be able to enroll into a qualified health plan (QHP) beginning the first of the month in which they will lose their minimum essential coverage (MEC). When a consumer is eligible to enroll into a QHP through the Loss of MEC SEP and selects their plan during their 60-day SEP window before their loss of MEC, but on or before the last day of the month preceding the month they will lose MEC, the consumer can choose to have their QHP begin the first day of the month they will lose their MEC.  

For example, if a consumer will lose their MEC on 8/15/2025 and they apply and make their plan selection on or before 7/31/2025, they can choose to have an 8/1/2025 QHP effective date, as opposed to having a 9/1/2025 effective date, which was the only previous option.