ACA open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1 through December 31, 2026. That's two weeks shorter than the historical January 15 cutoff. Set a reminder before November 1 so you're not racing a tighter deadline.
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The federal Marketplace (HealthCare.gov) is running a shorter enrollment window for 2027 coverage. State-run exchanges may extend beyond December 31, 2026.
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2026 | Open enrollment begins. Plans and premiums for 2027 go live. |
| Dec 15, 2026 | Deadline for coverage starting January 1, 2027. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Federal Marketplace closes. Final deadline for 2027 coverage (via HealthCare.gov). |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Coverage starts for anyone who enrolled by December 15. |
| Feb 1, 2027 | Coverage starts for anyone who enrolled December 16 through December 31. |
The federal enrollment deadline has shifted. Know what year you're planning for.
| Coverage Year | Enrollment Opens | Federal Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Nov 1, 2024 | Jan 15, 2025 |
| 2026 | Nov 1, 2025 | Jan 15, 2026 |
| 2027 | Nov 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 |
Source: HealthCare.gov enrollment rules. State exchanges may differ. Check your state's exchange for exact dates.
Several states operate their own exchanges and are not bound by the federal December 31 deadline. If you're in one of these states, your enrollment window may run longer. Always check your state exchange directly for the current year's exact dates.
Covered California typically extends through January 31. Check coveredca.com for exact 2027 dates.
NY State of Health often runs through January 31. Check nystateofhealth.ny.gov for 2027 dates.
Connect for Health Colorado typically follows the federal window but may vary. Check connectforhealthco.com.
Other states with their own exchanges include Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Washington D.C.
The window opens November 1, 2026. Set your reminder for mid-October to give yourself two weeks to research plans before the rush. If you just want to make sure you don't miss it, November 1 works fine.
The December 31 federal deadline leaves less buffer than the old January 15 cutoff. If you're in a state that uses HealthCare.gov, there's no grace period after New Year's.
For more on why open enrollment is easy to miss and how persistent reminders help, see the health insurance enrollment reminder guide. For what happens if you miss it entirely, see what happens if you miss open enrollment.
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage starts November 1, 2026. The federal Marketplace window closes December 31, 2026 — shorter than the historical January 15 deadline. Some state-run exchanges extend beyond that date.
Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027. This mid-deadline applies in all states using the federal Marketplace at HealthCare.gov.
The Trump administration shortened the federal enrollment window for 2027 coverage, ending it December 31, 2026 instead of the historical January 15 cutoff. State-run exchanges are not required to follow this change and may maintain longer windows.
No. States with their own exchanges — like California, New York, and Massachusetts — set their own deadlines and sometimes extend enrollment. The federal deadline (December 31, 2026 for 2027 coverage) applies only to states using HealthCare.gov. Check your state exchange for exact dates.
Set it for at least two weeks before November 1, 2026 — mid-October gives you time to research plans before the window opens. If you only care about not missing the deadline, set it for November 1 itself. The window closes December 31, so there's less slack than in previous years.
Only if you have a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period — losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a baby, or similar. Without a qualifying event, you wait until open enrollment starts again on November 1, 2027.
Get notified before November 1, 2026 — when the window opens, not after it closes. Free. No account needed.
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