Disaster Special Election Periods (DST-SEPs)

DST-SEPs in AK, AZ, DE, KY, MT, and TX

DST-SEPs in Crow Tribe of Montana, Delaware, Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes of Montana, Kentucky, Native Village of Kipnuk of Alaska, San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona, and Texas

Agents are encouraged to use caution to distinguish between the guidance in effect for each disaster. *Always verify details as events are continuously updated.

This communication is an important announcement for those with clientele and business in the following states, commonwealths, and/or districts: Crow Tribe of Montana, Delaware, Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes of Montana, Kentucky, Native Village of Kipnuk of Alaska, San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona, and Texas.

The counties, parishes, boroughs, tribes, cities, municipalities, and/or villages noted below are under a federal or state-designated Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to an emergency/disaster (DST).

IMPORTANT: DST SEPs can only be used if the beneficiary is eligible for another election period at the time of the DST eligibility period and has not already made an election during that other valid election period due to the disaster or other emergency.

Please review the DST-SEP guidelines at the bottom of this email to ensure you stay compliant and refer to HealthSpring’s Ongoing SEP tracker in Producers’ University (login required) for the most up-to-date information.

Please note: A disaster SEP application is only valid while the SEP declaration is in effect. If an end date is not listed below, please refer to our Ongoing SEP tracker in Producers’ University for the most up-to-date information. Any SEP applications submitted outside of that SEP’s declaration date will be rejected.

Crow Tribe of Montana

Declaration information1 (New)

FEMA declaration: Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds

SEP incident dates: 12/17/2025 – 06/27/2026

This SEP declaration is effective: 12/17/2025 – 07/31/2026

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All tribal lands.

Delaware

Declaration information1 (New)

FEMA declaration: Severe Winter Storm

SEP incident dates: 02/22/2026 – 06/27/2026

This SEP declaration is effective: 02/22/2026 – 07/31/2026

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Kent and Sussex Counties.

Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes of Montana

Declaration information1 (New)

FEMA declaration: Severe Winter Storm and Straight-Line Winds

SEP incident dates: 12/17/2025 – 06/27/2026

This SEP declaration is effective: 12/17/2025 – 07/31/2026

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All tribal lands.

Kentucky

Declaration information1 (New)

FEMA declaration: Severe Winter Storm

SEP incident dates: 01/23/2026 – 06/27/2026

This SEP declaration is effective: 01/23/2026 – 07/31/2026

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Allen, Barren, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Jackson, Laurel, Lee, McCreary, Menifee, Metcalfe, Monroe, Owsley, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Russell, Wayne, and Whitley Counties.

Native Village of Kipnuk of Alaska

Declaration information1 (New)

FEMA declaration: Severe Storms, Flooding, and Remnants of Typhoon Halong

SEP incident dates: 10/08/2025 – 06/27/2026

This SEP declaration is effective: 10/08/2025 – 07/31/2026

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All tribal lands.

San Carlos Apache Tribe of Arizona

Declaration information1 (New)

FEMA declaration: Severe Storms and Flooding

SEP incident dates: 10/10/2025 – 06/27/2026

This SEP declaration is effective: 10/10/2025 – 07/31/2026

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: All tribal lands.

Texas

Declaration information1 (Amendment adds county in bold)

State declaration: Severe Storms Event

SEP incident dates: 04/24/2026 – 07/26/2026

This SEP declaration is effective: 04/24/2026 – 08/31/2026

Impacted counties for SEP purposes: Calhoun, Cameron, Lamar, Palo Pinto, Parker, Victoria, and Wise Counties.

Important notices

IMPORTANT – Please be aware that a DST SEP:

  • does not mean that active marketing can occur.
  • is only available for individuals that reside or resided at the start of the SEP eligibility period where a federal, state, or local government entity declared a disaster or other emergency.
  • can only be used if the individual was eligible for another election period at the time of the DST eligibility period and did not make an election during that other valid election period due to the disaster or other emergency.
  • does not mean that carriers initiated waiving of authorization or referral requirements.
  • does not extend waiving of prior authorizations, referrals, etc.

SEP for individuals affected by a government-entity declared disaster or other emergency

42 CFR §§ 422.62(b)(18) and 423.38(c)(23)

Please review this link1 to refer to the guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on DST-SEPs.