The open enrollment period is the once-a-year window when anyone can buy or change a Marketplace health plan without a special reason. For 2027 coverage on HealthCare.gov, it runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Pick a plan by December 15 and coverage starts January 1. After January 15, you generally need a qualifying life event to enroll.
- On HealthCare.gov, Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
- Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1, or by January 15 for a February 1 start.
- A federal court blocked a plan to end enrollment on December 15, so the January 15 deadline stays in place for 2027 coverage.
- The extra COVID-era tax credits ended after 2025, and starting with tax year 2026 there is no cap on paying back excess credits.
- If you miss the deadline, you generally need a qualifying life event, such as losing job-based coverage, to enroll before next fall.
What is the open enrollment period?
The open enrollment period is the yearly sign-up season for ACA Marketplace plans. An ACA plan is major medical coverage that follows the Affordable Care Act, so it covers pre-existing conditions and essential benefits. During this enrollment window, you don't need a reason to sign up. You simply apply, compare and choose.
Here is what you can do while the window is open:
- Buy a Marketplace plan for the first time
- Switch to a different plan, metal level or carrier
- Add or remove a spouse or dependent
- Update your income so your tax credit matches your real situation
- Drop Marketplace coverage you no longer need
Most people who use it pay for their own coverage. For example, that includes self-employed workers, early retirees under 65, people between jobs, and families without job-based insurance. If that sounds like you, our page on ACA and private health insurance plans shows the coverage types we compare.
How this enrollment window differs from others
Several "enrollment periods" happen each fall, so people mix them up. However, each one follows its own rules. This table sorts them out.
| Enrollment period | When it happens | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace Open Enrollment | Nov 1 to Jan 15 on HealthCare.gov | People buying their own ACA plan |
| Special Enrollment Period | Usually 60 days after a qualifying event | People with a life change, like a job loss or new baby |
| Employer open enrollment | Set by each employer | Workers with job-based coverage |
| Medicare Open Enrollment | Oct 15 to Dec 7 | People with Medicare |
| Medicaid and CHIP | Any time of year | People who qualify by income |
Your next step: decide which row fits you. If it's the first row, keep reading.
Open Enrollment dates and deadlines
For 2027 coverage, HealthCare.gov opens on November 1, 2026. The exact day you pick a plan decides when coverage begins. So the Open Enrollment deadline that matters most for most families is December 15, not January 15.
| If you pick a plan... | Coverage starts | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 to Dec 15 | January 1 | You still must pay the first premium |
| Dec 16 to Jan 15 | February 1 | A one-month gap if your old plan ends Dec 31 |
| After Jan 15 | Only with a Special Enrollment Period | You need a qualifying life event |
Also note that your plan doesn't start until you pay the first monthly premium. In other words, picking a plan on December 15 isn't enough if the payment never goes through.
Treat December 15 as your real deadline.The date that protects a January 1 start
Your next step: put December 15 on your calendar now, and plan to finish a week early.
Does your state follow different dates?
It might. For 2027 coverage, 29 states use HealthCare.gov, while 21 states and Washington, DC run their own exchange. State-run exchanges can set their own Open Enrollment dates, and many stay open longer.
- Opens November 1
- Dec 15 for a January 1 start
- Closes January 15
- Each state sets its own calendar
- Some close later than January 15
- You apply on the state's own site
For example, Covered California runs from November 1 to January 31. There, you enroll by December 31 for a January 1 start. Our California health insurance guide covers local options. Similarly, Georgia now runs its own exchange, Georgia Access, so Georgia health plan shoppers should check that site's dates.
Meanwhile, Florida uses HealthCare.gov, so the November 1 to January 15 calendar applies. Floridians can compare local carriers on our Florida health insurance page. Your next step: confirm which exchange your state uses before you mark any date.
A licensed Vivna agent can confirm your state's deadline and compare plans from 50+ carriers with you, at no cost.
What's new for the coming plan year
Several federal changes land during this enrollment window. Some came from a 2025 federal budget law, and others came from court rulings. Here is what matters for 2027 coverage.
The Open Enrollment deadline stays January 15
A 2025 federal rule would have ended Open Enrollment on December 15, starting with 2027 coverage. However, a federal court in Maryland blocked it in June 2026. CMS then confirmed in July 2026 that HealthCare.gov enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
Bigger tax credits are gone
The extra COVID-era savings ended on December 31, 2025. As a result, the old rules return for 2027 coverage. Tax credits stop above 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). For 2027 coverage, that line sits at $63,840 for one person and $132,000 for a family of four.
No cap on paying credits back
Starting with tax year 2026, you must repay every dollar of excess advance tax credit. Previously, caps limited what lower-income families owed. That makes an accurate income estimate more important than ever.
Other changes to know
- People who enroll through the low-income special enrollment period no longer get tax credits, starting with 2026 plan years.
- Starting in 2027, fewer lawfully present immigrants qualify for tax credits. Green card holders still qualify.
- The out-of-pocket maximum rises to $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family in 2027.
- Bronze and catastrophic plans now work with a health savings account (HSA).
- Starting with 2028 coverage, you will need to confirm eligibility before tax credits continue, so passive auto-renewal with savings ends.
Your next step: if any of these touch your household, read our guide to how Marketplace tax credits work before you apply.
What happens if you do nothing?
If you skip the open enrollment period, HealthCare.gov may re-enroll you automatically. You might land in your current plan, a similar plan from the same insurer, or a plan from another insurer. That sounds easy, yet it often costs people money.
By November 1, you should get two letters. One comes from your insurer, and the other comes from the Marketplace. Together, they explain your matched plan, any price changes and whether you need to send documents.
- Your premium can rise, and your tax credit can shrink
- Your doctor or hospital can leave the plan's network
- A drug you take can move to a costlier tier
- An old income estimate can create a tax bill next spring
Here is real math on that last point. Say you estimate $60,000 of income as a single filer, but you earn $66,000. That puts you over the $63,840 line, so you lose all eligibility for the year. If you received $250 a month in credits, you would repay $3,000 at tax time.
For tax year 2026 and later, there is no repayment cap. If your income ends up higher than you estimated, the full difference comes out of your refund or adds to your tax bill. Report income changes as soon as they happen.
Your next step: open both letters, then read our checklist to review your plan before it renews.
How to prepare in five steps
Most families can finish this in about an hour with the right papers nearby. First, gather your documents. Then work through these steps in order.
- Read your renewal letters
Check your new premium, deductible and tax credit. Next, note whether your insurer changed your plan.
- Estimate next year's income
Use expected household income for the coverage year, not last year's. Include self-employment income, unemployment pay and part-time wages.
- List your doctors and drugs
Write down every doctor, hospital, pharmacy and prescription. Then use our carrier network doctor search links to confirm each one.
- Compare total yearly cost
Add 12 months of premiums to the deductible you could realistically hit. So a $350 premium with a $5,000 deductible can top $9,000 in a bad year.
- Pick by December 15 and pay
Choose your plan early, then pay the first premium. That way, coverage starts January 1 with no gap.
What your income means for your price
To see how your income turns into a price, look at the 2027 rules. For instance, a single person earning $50,000 sits near 313% FPL. At that level, the 2027 contribution cap is 10.22% of income. That works out to about $426 a month at most for the benchmark Silver plan.
The bars show the most a household pays for the benchmark Silver plan, as a share of income, for 2027 coverage.
On the phones, the costliest mistake we see is a stale income number. If you're self-employed, average your last two years and then adjust for contracts you already know about. Also, update the estimate the same week your income changes.
Your next step: if a different plan looks better, our guide on switching health plans the right way walks through it.
Missed the open enrollment period? Here are your options
After January 15, the door doesn't lock completely. Instead, you need a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), which is a short window that opens after certain life events. Most SEPs give you 60 days to pick a plan.
You likely qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Also compare keeping your old plan against buying your own.
These life events usually qualify. Our guide to life changes that let you enroll lists the rules.
Apply for Medicaid or CHIP any time of year, because those programs never close.
A short-term plan may bridge the gap in approved states until next fall.
Short-term coverage helps some healthy people in a pinch. Even so, it is a different product, and you should know its limits before you buy. See our short-term health insurance options for state availability.
Short-term plans are available only in approved states. They are not ACA-compliant, they can exclude pre-existing conditions, and they don't qualify for subsidies. Use them as a bridge, not a replacement for a Marketplace plan.
Your next step: read our full guide to getting covered after the deadline passes, or call 888-730-6001 to check whether a recent event qualifies.
Open enrollment period FAQs
When is the open enrollment period for 2027 coverage?
On HealthCare.gov, it runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Pick a plan by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. If you enroll between December 16 and January 15, coverage starts February 1. States that run their own exchange can use different dates, so check your state's site if you don't use HealthCare.gov.
Can I change plans after January 15?
Generally, no. After Open Enrollment ends, you can only enroll or switch with a Special Enrollment Period. Common triggers include losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a baby or moving to a new ZIP code. Most of these give you 60 days to act. Medicaid and CHIP, by contrast, accept applications all year.
Do I have to re-enroll every year?
For 2027 coverage, HealthCare.gov may re-enroll you automatically if you do nothing. Still, you should update your application, because your tax credit depends on next year's expected income. Starting with 2028 coverage, a new federal law requires you to confirm eligibility before tax credits continue.
What is the difference between open and special enrollment?
Open Enrollment happens once a year, and anyone can use it without a reason. Special enrollment, on the other hand, opens only after a qualifying life event, such as a job loss, marriage or birth. It usually lasts 60 days from the event. You may also need to send documents that prove the event happened.
Can I get a Marketplace plan if my job offers insurance?
You can buy one, but you may not get a tax credit. For 2027, a job-based plan counts as affordable if the employee-only premium costs 10.22% of household income or less. If your employer's plan costs more than that, or doesn't meet minimum value, you may qualify for savings on a Marketplace plan.
Have more questions? Browse our enrollment and coverage basics FAQ library, see our Open Enrollment plan comparison page, or call 888-730-6001.
Vivna's licensed agents compare plans from 50+ carriers. Call Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Sources
- HealthCare.gov: When can you get health insurance?
- CMS: Statement regarding City of Columbus v. Kennedy (July 31, 2026)
- CMS: States by Marketplace type for plan year 2027
- KFF: Health provisions in the 2025 federal budget reconciliation law
- IRS: Revenue Procedure 2026-26 (2027 applicable percentages)
- Covered California: Open Enrollment
Vivna Insurance is a licensed, independent health insurance agency (NPN 19168641). We are not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or any government agency. Plan availability, networks and benefits vary by state and change over time. Short-term plans are available only in approved states and are not ACA-compliant coverage.