When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance? 2026 Dates & Deadlines

Introduction

Each fall, millions of Americans ask, “When is open enrollment for health insurance?” Understanding the 2026 Open Enrollment Period helps you compare plans, avoid coverage gaps, and make confident decisions for the year ahead. If you buy your own coverage, it’s essential to know when open enrollment for health insurance happens, since the ACA Open Enrollment Period is the main time to enroll, renew, or switch Marketplace plans.

Missing the open enrollment deadline may leave you uninsured unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

For 2026, most states follow the federal schedule, while others extend their deadlines. Below is the updated guide to 2026 Open Enrollment dates, what you can sign up for, and when coverage begins.

When Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance for 2026?

Federal Open Enrollment Dates (Applies to Most States)

For 2026 ACA health insurance plans, the Open Enrollment Period for most states using HealthCare.gov is:

• November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026
  

Coverage start dates depend on when you enroll:

• Enroll by December 15, 2025 → Coverage starts January 1, 2026
• Enroll December 16–January 15 → Coverage starts February 1, 2026
  

These timelines match federal Marketplace rules from recent enrollment years. Exact dates are confirmed by the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) each fall.

State-Based Marketplace Exceptions for 2026

Seventeen states plus Washington, D.C., run their own Marketplaces and may set independent deadlines.

States With Earlier or Standard Cutoffs

• Idaho: Ends December 16, 2025
• Virginia: Ends January 22, 2026
• Massachusetts: Ends January 23, 2026
  

States With Extended January Deadlines

These states typically extend enrollment through the end of January:

• California
• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Washington, D.C.
  

Final Deadline: January 31, 2026

Comparison Table: 2026 Open Enrollment Deadlines

Looking Ahead: Major Change Beginning 2027

Starting in 2027, all states will end Open Enrollment for new plans on December 31. This creates a uniform national deadline and eliminates extended January enrollments, making 2026 the final year with multiple state-specific cutoffs.

What Can You Sign Up for During Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment is when you can buy or change health insurance for the upcoming year. Here’s what’s available.

1. ACA Marketplace (Obamacare) Health Plans

ACA plans are divided into “metal tiers” based on cost-sharing:

• Bronze: Lowest premiums, higher deductibles
• Silver: Balanced coverage; determines subsidies and cost-sharing reductions
• Gold: Higher premiums, lower out-of-pocket costs
• Platinum: Lowest out-of-pocket costs, highest premiums

According to Healthcare.gov, ACA plans must cover the ten essential health benefits and cannot exclude preexisting conditions.

There’s also a Catastrophic ACA plan option, which offers very low premiums and very high deductibles but is only available to people under 30 or those with a hardship exemption. These plans still meet ACA requirements and cover essential benefits, but they’re designed for consumers willing to take on more upfront cost risk.

All Bronze and Catastrophic Marketplace plans are HSA-eligible starting in 2026, expanding access to tax-advantaged savings.

2. Renew or Change Your Existing Marketplace Plan

During OEP, you can:

• Update income for premium tax credits (subsidies) to help lower monthly premiums.
  • Regardless of your income, check your eligibility using our ACA Subsidy Calculator to see your estimated subsidy rate or consider switching plans.
• Switch insurers or metal tiers
• Add or remove dependents
• Adjust your cost-sharing preferences

Reviewing your plan yearly helps avoid surprise premium increases or network changes.

3. Off-Marketplace ACA Plans

Some insurers sell ACA-compliant coverage directly. These plans follow the same enrollment deadlines but do not offer subsidies. According to KFF, consumers can purchase major medical plans off-Marketplace, but premium tax credits are only available through the Marketplace.

4. Other Coverage Types Available During This Season

While not part of the ACA Marketplace, many people shop for supplemental coverage during OEP.

Coverage You Can Explore

Note: Short-term medical, fixed indemnity, and supplemental plans are not ACA major medical insurance and may have benefit limitations.

Learn more about ACA marketplace alternative plans that might fit your health needs and budget.

What If You Miss the Open Enrollment Deadline?

If you miss your state’s final deadline, you typically must wait until the next OEP.
However, you may still qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Qualifying Events Include:

• Losing employer coverage
• Getting married or divorced
• Moving to a new coverage area
• Having or adopting a child
• Losing Medicaid or CHIP
• Becoming a U.S. citizen
  

Most SEPs give you 60 days to enroll.

How to Prepare for the 2026 Open Enrollment Period

1. Review your current insurance

Check premiums, deductibles, networks, and prescription coverage.

2. Estimate your 2026 household income

This affects subsidy eligibility. 

3. Compare plans carefully

Look at the total annual cost, not only monthly premiums.

4. Gather necessary documents

You’ll likely need:

• Social Security numbers
• Recent income documents
• Immigration status information (if applicable)
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Does open enrollment apply to Medicaid or CHIP?

No. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications year-round, depending on income and state rules.

Do state deadlines change every year?

Yes. While federal deadlines remain stable, state-run Marketplaces may adjust dates annually.

What happens if I miss the open enrollment period? Can I change my plan outside open enrollment?

If you miss the open enrollment deadline (for example, January 15 in most states), you might still be able to get covered. But you need to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) due to a major life event (like losing coverage, getting married, or having a baby).

Are short-term medical plans part of Open Enrollment?

No. Short-term medical plans are separate products with their own rules and limited benefits. 

Bottom Line

For 2026 health insurance coverage, the Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1 to January 15 in most states, with several state-specific deadlines extending into late January. The date you enroll determines whether your coverage starts on January 1 or February 1.

If you need Marketplace coverage in 2026, the key is to enroll early, compare your options, and track your state’s exact deadline. Starting in 2027, all states will shift to a uniform December 31 deadline—making 2026 your final year with extended January enrollment options.