Written by Steven Shapiro
President, Marketplace at HealthCare.com
Compare ACA and Private Plans That Fit Your Needs
You will be taken to
to finish your submission.
When are the Open Enrollment Dates?
- November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027 (in most states)
- Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027.
- Enroll by January 15, 2027 for coverage starting February 1, 2027.
- Idaho’s deadline is December 15; Massachusetts extends to January 23 and Virginia to January 29.
- California, New Jersey, New York, and D.C. close January 31; Rhode Island closes earlier, on December 31.
- A federal rule that would have moved every state to a single standardized end date starting in 2027 was blocked in court — deadlines continue to vary by state, as shown below.
1. What is the deadline for Health Insurance Marketplace plans for 2027 coverage?
- In most states, the deadline is January 15, 2027, but there are exceptions.
- December 15, 2026 is the deadline for a January 1 start. After December 15, coverage starts February 1.
2. Which states have a January 15 open enrollment deadline?
- About 30 states use HealthCare.gov (28 fully federally-run marketplaces plus Arkansas and Oregon, which run their own exchange on the federal platform) and share its January 15 deadline. Several states that run their own separate marketplace — including Kentucky, Georgia, Connecticut, and Illinois — have also kept January 15 as their deadline even though they’re not on HealthCare.gov.
- Examples: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas.
| Deadline | States |
|---|---|
| December 15 | Idaho* |
| December 31 | Rhode Island |
| January 15 | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia (state-run), Hawaii, Illinois (state-run), Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky (state-run), Louisiana, Maine (state-run), Maryland (state-run), Michigan, Minnesota (state-run), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada (state-run), New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania (state-run), South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont (state-run), Washington (state-run), West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| January 23 | Massachusetts |
| January 29 | Virginia |
| January 31 | California, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York |
Source: Healthcare.gov and state marketplace sites. *Idaho’s window is shorter and closes in mid-December rather than January.
3. Which states do not end open enrollment on January 15?
- Some states with their own exchanges have different deadlines:
- California, D.C., New Jersey, New York: January 31
- Virginia: January 29
- Massachusetts: January 23
- Rhode Island: December 31 (earlier deadline)
- Idaho: December 15 (earlier deadline)
A 2025 federal rule would have moved every state to one standardized enrollment window (no later than November 1 to no later than December 31) starting with 2027 coverage. A federal court in Maryland vacated that provision in June 2026, and CMS confirmed the following month that HealthCare.gov’s window would stay at November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027 rather than shortening. The case is still being appealed, so it’s worth a quick recheck closer to enrollment if you’re reading this well before November 2026 — but for now, the state-by-state deadlines above are what apply.
4. Who can enroll year-round in ACA plans?
- American Indians/Alaska Natives
- People eligible for Medicaid or CHIP
- Special programs in some states, like Basic Health Programs or ConnectorCare.
5. Can I enroll outside of open enrollment?
You can enroll outside the open period only if you qualify for a special enrollment period (due to a qualifying life event, QLE).
QLEs grant a 60-day Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for selecting new coverage or changing existing plans.
Common QLEs include
- Marriage
- Divorce
- Having a baby
- Losing employer coverage
- Moving to a new ZIP code.
Your SEP begins the day of the event, and coverage typically starts the first day of the following month. If you don’t enroll within 60 days, you’ll have to wait for the next open enrollment period, but you may be eligible for temporary coverage in the meantime. Remember, using a SEP incurs no penalties, and insurers must accept your application just like during open enrollment.
State Health Insurance Directory
State Health Insurance Resources
Navigating health insurance as a college student can be overwhelming, but understanding your options will help you find the best coverage for your needs.
Important Considerations
- Coverage Through Your Parents’ Plan: If you’re under 26, you can remain on your parents’ health plan.
- ACA Marketplace Plan subsidies may be available based on your eligibility. Use our ACA Subsidy Calculator to answer a few easy questions to see if you qualify for a subsidy in seconds.*
We want to help you make educated healthcare decisions. While this post may have links to lead generation forms, this won’t influence our writing. We adhere to strict editorial standards to provide the most accurate and unbiased information.
Prescription Savings Made Simple
Save at over 80,000 pharmacies nationwide with CareCard.
Get Started
