Open enrollment deadlines depend on where you live. On HealthCare.gov, Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Pick a plan by December 15 if you want coverage to start January 1. However, 21 states and Washington, DC run their own exchanges and set their own dates. Some open in October, one closes December 15, and five exchanges stay open until January 31. Find your state in the table below.
HealthCare.gov statesState-run exchangesJanuary 1 deadlineLate deadlinesMissed the window
Key takeaways
- HealthCare.gov open enrollment deadlines: November 1 start, December 15 for a January 1 start, January 15 close.
- California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Washington, DC stay open until January 31.
- Idaho closes earliest, on December 15. Connecticut and Massachusetts open early, on October 23.
- A court blocked a shorter window, so this year's dates match last year's.
- Missed the deadline? A life event, Medicaid or a short-term plan may still help.
Nov 1Open Enrollment starts in most states
Dec 15HealthCare.gov deadline for a Jan 1 start
Jan 15HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment ends
Jan 31Latest state deadline (CA, DC, NJ, NY, RI)
In this guide
HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment Deadlines
Most people, in fact, shop on HealthCare.gov. Today, 29 states use it, including Florida, Texas, Ohio and North Carolina. These are the HealthCare.gov open enrollment deadlines for 2027 coverage.| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open Enrollment starts |
| December 15, 2026 | Last day to pick a plan for coverage that starts January 1 |
| January 1, 2027 | Coverage starts, if you enrolled by December 15 and paid your first premium |
| January 15, 2027 | Open Enrollment ends |
| February 1, 2027 | Coverage starts for plans picked December 16 through January 15 |
Open Enrollment Deadlines by State
Your state decides which open enrollment dates apply to you. First, find out whether your state uses HealthCare.gov or runs its own exchange. Then, check the deadlines below. Also, each state name links to our local guide, with carriers and costs for that state.States that use HealthCare.gov
These 29 states follow the HealthCare.gov open enrollment deadlines above: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. So, in these states, pick a plan by December 15 for a January 1 start. After that, you still have until January 15.States that run their own exchange
These 21 states and Washington, DC set their own open enrollment deadlines. However, we list a January 1 cutoff only when the exchange has published it. Otherwise, check that exchange's website before you count on a January 1 start.| State and exchange | Enroll by for a Jan 1 start | Open enrollment ends |
|---|---|---|
| California (Covered California) | Dec 31 | Jan 31 |
| Colorado (Connect for Health Colorado) | Dec 15 | Jan 15 |
| Connecticut (Access Health CT) | Dec 15 | Jan 15 |
| Georgia (Georgia Access) | See exchange | Jan 15 |
| Idaho (Your Health Idaho) | Dec 15 | Dec 15 |
| Illinois (Get Covered Illinois) | See exchange | Jan 15 |
| Kentucky (kynect) | Not yet posted | Not yet posted |
| Maine (CoverME.gov) | See exchange | Jan 15 |
| Maryland (Maryland Health Connection) | Dec 31 | Jan 15 |
| Massachusetts (Massachusetts Health Connector) | Dec 23 | Jan 23 |
| Minnesota (MNsure) | See exchange | Jan 15 |
| Nevada (Nevada Health Link) | See exchange | Jan 15 |
| New Jersey (Get Covered New Jersey) | See exchange | Jan 31 |
| New Mexico (beWellnm) | See exchange | Jan 15 |
| New York (NY State of Health) | See exchange | Jan 31 |
| Oregon (Explore Health (new for 2027)) | See exchange | Jan 15 |
| Pennsylvania (Pennie) | Dec 15 | Jan 15 |
| Rhode Island (HealthSource RI) | See exchange | Jan 31 |
| Vermont (Vermont Health Connect) | See exchange | Jan 15 |
| Virginia (Virginia's Insurance Marketplace) | See exchange | Jan 29 |
| Washington (Washington Healthplanfinder) | See exchange | Jan 15 |
| Washington, DC (DC Health Link) | Dec 15 | Jan 31 |
Licensed agent tipDon't wait for the final week. After all, websites and call centers get slow near every deadline. Also, your first premium must be paid before coverage starts. So, pick your plan early and pay right away.
States With Different Open Enrollment Dates
However, state-run exchanges can move their calendars. Even so, most still open November 1. Still, a few states break the pattern in ways that matter.- Latest deadlines: California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Washington, DC close January 31.
- Virginia: closes January 29.
- Massachusetts: opens October 23 and closes January 23.
- Connecticut: opens October 23 and closes January 15.
- Later January 1 cutoffs: California and Maryland allow enrollment through December 31 for a January 1 start. Massachusetts allows it through December 23.
- Idaho: opens October 15 and closes December 15, the earliest end date in the country.
- Oregon: no longer uses HealthCare.gov. Oregonians now enroll through the state's new Explore Health site.
When Your Coverage Starts
Open enrollment deadlines also decide when your coverage starts. In particular, your start date depends on the day you pick a plan. It also depends on paying your first premium on time. Here is how it works on HealthCare.gov.Pick by December 15Coverage starts January 1
- No gap if your current plan ends December 31
- Best choice if your insurer is leaving
- Pay the first premium by your insurer's due date
Pick December 16 to January 15Coverage starts February 1
- You may go a month without coverage
- Fine if your current plan renews on its own
- No plan picked after January 15 without a life event
Beat the deadline in one phone callA licensed Vivna agent can check your state's dates and compare plans from 50+ carriers. We can enroll you too, at no cost.
If You Miss the Open Enrollment Deadline
Missing the open enrollment deadlines doesn't always mean waiting a full year. For instance, these doors stay open after Open Enrollment ends.- A qualifying life event. Losing coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby can open a special window. See our guide to health insurance life events.
- Medicaid and CHIP. You can apply any time of year.
- Short-term plans. They're sold year-round in many states. Learn more about short-term coverage after Open Enrollment.
Will the Open Enrollment Deadlines Change?
Not for 2027 coverage, at least. A 2025 federal rule would have ended Open Enrollment on December 15 in HealthCare.gov states. However, a federal court in Maryland struck down that change in June 2026. As a result, the January 15 deadline returned. That said, the government has appealed. The appeals court hears the case on October 30, 2026. Experts expect this year's dates to hold, but future years could change. We'll update this page if anything moves.Don't mix up Open Enrollment with Medicare's enrollment period. Medicare's fall window runs October 15 through December 7. It's for people with Medicare, not for Marketplace plans.
Want the basics behind these dates? Read what the open enrollment period is and how it works. Then, see open enrollment health insurance plans you can compare with us.
Open Enrollment Deadlines: FAQs
When does open enrollment end?
On HealthCare.gov, it ends January 15, 2027. However, some state exchanges close later, on January 29 or January 31. Idaho closes earlier, on December 15.When does open enrollment start?
November 1, 2026 in most states. Connecticut and Massachusetts open October 23, and Idaho opens October 15.What is the deadline for coverage that starts January 1?
December 15 on HealthCare.gov. A few states allow more time. For example, California and Maryland allow December 31, and Massachusetts allows December 23.How long is open enrollment?
About 11 weeks on HealthCare.gov, from November 1 to January 15. State exchanges range from about nine weeks in Idaho to three months in some states.Can I enroll after January 15?
Only in states that stay open later, or else with a qualifying life event. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications all year. Short-term plans are another option in many states.Is open enrollment the same as Medicare open enrollment?
No. Medicare's fall window runs October 15 through December 7. Marketplace Open Enrollment is for people under 65 who buy their own coverage.Do I need to re-enroll every year?
Not always. HealthCare.gov usually renews your plan if it's still offered. Still, prices and tax credits change each year, so compare before the deadline.Dates reflect each exchange's published 2027 calendar as of October 20, 2026, and may change. Always confirm with your exchange. Vivna Insurance is a licensed, independent agency (NPN 19168641). We are not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or any government agency.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov: Dates and deadlines for 2027 coverage
- HealthCare.gov: Marketplace in your state
- CMS: Plan year 2026 and 2027 statement (July 2026)
- Covered California: Open enrollment
- Massachusetts Health Connector: 2027 Open Enrollment
- HealthSource RI: Open enrollment dates
- healthinsurance.org: Open enrollment deadlines
- Georgetown Litigation Tracker: City of Columbus v. Kennedy
Related guides
Open Enrollment Health InsuranceCompare plans and savings.
What Is Open Enrollment?How the period works.
Open Enrollment ChecklistSteps and documents.
Florida Open EnrollmentDates, plans and costs.
Health Insurance Life EventsEnroll outside the window.
Health Insurance SubsidiesWho qualifies for 2027.