Disaster Special Election Periods (DST-SEPs)

DST-SEPs in Washington

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

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has issued a local emergency due to the Atmospheric River Storm Damage. This emergency declaration extends through June 27, 2027.

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 note: A disaster SEP application is only valid while the SEP declaration is in effect. Any SEP applications submitted outside of that SEP’s declaration date will be rejected.

Summary of Declared Disaster or Other Emergency

Date of Declaration or Proclamation: April 27, 2026

Description: Atmospheric River Storm Damage 26-02

Declared By: Governor Bob Ferguson

Impacted State(s): WA

Impacted Service Areas: Pierce County

SEP Type: Government Entity-Declared Disaster or Other Emergency

Start Date of SEP: April 27th, 2026

End Date of SEP: June 27th, 2027

Individuals are eligible for this SEP if they:

  • Reside, or resided at the start of the SEP eligibility period described in this guidance, in an area for which a federal, state or local government entity has declared a disaster or other emergency or they do not reside in an affected area but rely on help making health care decisions from one or more individuals who reside in an atfected area; and
  • Were eligible for another election period at the time of the SEP eligibility period; and
  • Did not make an election during that other valid election period due to the disaster or other emergency

Please refer to the Official SEP State Declaration.

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.