What is open enrollment? It 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 open enrollment?
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.
When is open enrollment?
Open enrollment happens once a year, in the fall. For 2027 coverage, HealthCare.gov opens November 1, 2026 and closes January 15, 2027. Pick a plan by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. Plans picked from December 16 to January 15 start February 1.
However, 21 states and Washington, DC run their own exchanges, and some stay open until January 31. To see your exact cutoff, check when open enrollment ends in your state.
This year also brings big changes. The extra COVID-era tax credits ended, so many families will see higher prices. Our open enrollment health insurance guide covers what is changing, the key dates, and how to get free help.
A licensed Vivna agent can check your state's deadline and compare plans from 50+ carriers with you, at no cost.
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 888-730-6031 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 888-730-6031.
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.
Related guides
Find Local Health Insurance Help
Plans, prices and help programs change by state and even by county. These local guides show what is available near you.
More local help: the Georgia health insurance guide, plus guides for Florida, Texas, North Carolina and every state we serve.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 888-730-6031 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, for free help from a licensed agent.
