CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Pregnant Virginians can now enroll in health coverage on Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace year-round, improving access to vital prenatal care for uninsured or underinsured individuals when they need it.

The Virginia Poverty Law Center is leading publicity for the new law passed by last year’s General Assembly, which became effective January 31.

“Outside of the Marketplace’s open enrollment period, Virginians must qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP) to enroll in new coverage or make changes to an existing plan,” The center’s release said. “SEPs are triggered by ‘qualifying life events’ that impact people’s coverage needs or circumstances – things like losing job-based coverage or getting married. While giving birth has long been considered a qualifying life event, becoming pregnant has not. Until now, pregnant Virginians without access to another form of health coverage and no other qualifying life event have been locked out of health insurance.”

The new law has created that SEP.

“Pregnancy is a life-altering event that can lead to unforeseen medical complications for the parent and child,” Deputy Director of the Center for Healthy Communities at Virginia Poverty Law Center Emily Hardy said in the release. “We are excited this SEP is now available to make sure pregnant Virginians have timely access to the healthcare they need. Pregnancy does not wait for an open enrollment period.”

Nearly 15% of babies in Virginia were born to parents who received inadequate prenatal care last year, according to the March of Dimes 2025 Report Card.

Virginia is ranked 42nd out of 48 in maternal mortality among states with available data.