01/26/2026
The state of North Carolina recently declared a State of Emergency (Executive Order 31) in anticipation of a January Winter Storm. The order is effective from January 21, 2026, until February 20, 2026, unless rescinded earlier.
Please see below for current Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs):
Type of Disaster of Emergency: Severe Weather - Winter Storm
Impacted Area: State of North Carolina
Incident Start and End Dates: January 21, 2026 - February 20, 2026
SEP Start and End Dates: January 21, 2026 - April 30, 2026
A SEP exists for individuals affected by disaster or other emergency declared by a federal, state, or local government entity who were unable to, and did not make an election during another valid election period. This includes both enrollment and disenrollment elections.
Individuals are eligible for this SEP if they:
- Reside, or resided at the start of the SEP eligibility period, in an area for which local, state, and federal government entity has declared a disaster or other emergency OR do not reside in an affected area but rely on help making health care decisions from one or more individuals who reside in an affected 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
These SEPs allow eligible Medicare beneficiaries one opportunity to make their missed elections.
Medicare beneficiaries will be expected to provide proof that they were affected by the state of emergency to use the SEP.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE with any questions - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
