When Is Open Enrollment for 2025-2026?

September 16, 2025
•
3-minute read

The 2026 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins November 1, 2025, and ends usually January 15, 2026, in most states.1

The chart below shows the 2026 OEP dates for the states that use the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage begins January 1.2

If you have a Special Enrollment Period, coverage will begin the first day of the month after you sign up.  For example, if you sign up on February 15, your coverage will be effective March 1.

States

Federal Open Enrollment Period for 2025 Plans

Alabama

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Alaska

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Arizona

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Arkansas

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Delaware

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Florida

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Hawaii

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Illinois

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Indiana

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Iowa

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Kansas

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Louisiana

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Michigan

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Mississippi

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Missouri

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Montana

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Nebraska

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

New Hampshire

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

North Carolina

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

North Dakota

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Ohio

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Oklahoma

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Oregon

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

South Carolina

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

South Dakota

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Tennessee

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Texas

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Utah

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

West Virginia

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Wisconsin

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Wyoming

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Some states with their own ACA exchanges have different date ranges for the 2026 Open Enrollment Period. The chart below shows the SEP and OEP dates for these states.3

States

State Open Enrollment Period for 2026 Plans

California4

November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Colorado5

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Connecticut6

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Georgia7

November 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026

Idaho8

October 15, 2025 – December 15, 2025

Kentucky9

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Maine10

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Maryland11

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Massachusetts12

November 1, 2025 – January 23, 2026

Minnesota13

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Nevada14

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

New Jersey15

November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

New Mexico16

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

New York17

November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Pennsylvania18

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Rhode Island19

November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Vermont20

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Virginia21

November 1, 2025 – January 30, 2026

Washington DC22

November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026

Washington23

November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

I missed my state’s Open Enrollment deadline? Can I still get healthcare coverage?

If you missed the enrollment deadline in your state, it is still possible that you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that will allow you to apply for health insurance. You can qualify for an SEP if you have experienced a qualifying life event.

Qualifying life events can include:24

  • The loss of health insurance through a job.
  • Household changes such as marriage, divorce, a death in the family, or having a baby.
  • A change in your home address.

See a list of qualifying life events. You have 60 days (before or after, depending on the qualifying event) to enroll in a plan, if you qualify for an SEP.25 But, if you miss that 60-day window, you will have to wait until OEP to enroll in an individual health insurance policy for 2026.

Missed the Open Enrollment deadline? Short-term insurance may be an option

If you missed the 2026 Open Enrollment Period in your state and you do not qualify for an SEP, you may be able to apply for a short-term health insurance plan in some states.

  • Short-term health insurance coverage can be purchased outside of OEP. The duration can range from 1 month up to nearly three years, depending on your state and the plan.26, 27
  • Short-term health insurance plans function as a temporary fit for healthy people, as they will not cover pre-existing conditions, and may be subject to medical underwriting.
  • If you do not qualify for an SEP and decide not to apply for a short-term health plan, you will have to wait until Open Enrollment 2027 begins in fall 2026.

HealthMarkets can help you determine whether you qualify for an SEP and find an individual health plan that meets your needs.

  • Shop, compare, and enroll in a health plan online or call us to speak with a licensed insurance agent at  (866) 254-1588.

References

1. When can you get health insurance? (2025). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

2. States by Marketplace Type (FFM/SBM-FP/SBM) for Plan Year 2025.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2025). Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/in-person-assisters/training-webinars/training/marketplaces-map Accessed on September 2, 2025.

3. The Marketplace in your state. (2025). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace-in-your-state/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

4. Dates and Deadlines. (2025). Covered California. Retrieved from: https://www.coveredca.com/support/before-you-buy/enrollment-dates-and-deadlines/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

5. Important Dates. (2025). Connect for Health Colorado. Retrieved from: https://www.cohealthinfo.com/i-need-health-insurance/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

6. Annual Open Enrollment Period. (2025). AccessHealth CT. Retrieved from: https://www.accesshealthct.com/annual-open-enrollment/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

7. Get covered. (2025). Georgia Access. Retrieved from: https://georgiaaccess.gov/get-covered Accessed on September 2, 2025.

8. How to enroll. (2025). Your Health Idaho. Retrieved from: https://www.yourhealthidaho.org/apply-and-enroll/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

9. Need health coverage? (2025). Kentucky Health Benefits Exchange. Retrieved from: https://khbe.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx Accessed on September 2, 2025.

10. Health Insurance. (2025). Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/programs-services/health-insurance Accessed on September 2, 2025.

11. When can I enroll? (2025). Maryland Health Connection. Retrieved from: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/faq/when-can-i-enroll/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

12. Important Dates. (2025). Massachusetts Health Connector. Retrieved from: https://www.mahix.org/individual/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

13. 2025 Health Insurance Rates. (2025). Minnesota Commerce Department. Retrieved from: https://mn.gov/commerce/insurance/health/consumer-protections/rates/approved/2025 Accessed on September 2, 2025.

14. When Can I Enroll? (2025). Nevada Health Link. Retrieved from: https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/get-help/when-to-enroll/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

15. When Can I Buy Health Insurance? (2025). Get Covered NJ. Retrieved from: https://nj.gov/getcoverednj/getstarted/buy/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

16. Need Insurance? A Guide to Understanding Your Enrollment Options. (2025). BeWell. Retrieved from: https://bewellnm.com/blogs/open-enrollment-special-enrollment/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

17. NY State of Health. (2025). NY State of Health. Retrieved from: https://www.nyc.gov/site/ochia/coverage-care/ny-state-of-health.page Accessed on September 2, 2025.

18. Enrolling is Simple. (2025). Pennie. Retrieved from: https://pennie.com/learn/how-to-enroll/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

19. Open Enrollment. (2025). HealthSource RI. Retrieved from: https://healthsourceri.com/oe/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

20. When Can I Get Coverage? (2025). Vermont Health Connect. Retrieved from: https://info.healthconnect.vermont.gov/how-apply Accessed on September 2, 2025.

21. When Can I Enroll in a Health Plan? (2025). Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace. Retrieved from: https://www.marketplace.virginia.gov/faqs Accessed on September 2, 2025.

22. When is Open Enrollment? (2025). D.C. Health Link. Retrieved from: https://www.dchealthlink.com/faqs/when-open-enrollment Accessed on September 2, 2025.

23. When can I buy an individual health plan? (2025). Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Retrieved from: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/when-can-i-buy-individual-health-plan Accessed on September 2, 2025.

24. Get or change coverage outside of Open Enrollment. (2025). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/your-options/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.

25. Special enrollment opportunities. (2025). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/Accessed on September 2, 2025.

26. Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage (CMS-9904-F) Fact Sheet. (2024). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/short-term-limited-duration-insurance-and-independent-noncoordinated-excepted-benefits-coverage-cms Accessed on September 2, 2025.

27. STATEMENT OF U.S. DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND THE TREASURY REGARDING SHORT-TERM, LIMITED-DURATION INSURANCE. (2025). Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/statement-regarding-short-term-limited-duration-insurance.pdf Accessed on September 3, 2025.

Affordable Care Act
Health Insurance
Query card

Uninsured? We can help.

Related content

  1. What Does Basic Health Insurance Cost?
    4-minute read

    Basic health insurance costs can be confusing, especially if you are shopping for coverage for the first time or changing plans. The price you pay depends on factors like your age, income, where you live, and the type of plan you choose. There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to basic health insurance costs because everyone’s needs and circumstances are a little different. Still, there

  2. Need health insurance after a qualifying life event?
    3-minute read

    Wondering if your recent life change is a qualifying life event that lets you update your health insurance? You’re not alone, and you may have options. Every year, millions of people go through life changes that may qualify them for a special enrollment period: 2 million couples get married1 674,000 couples get divorced1 6 million babies are born2 20 million people lose their jobs due to layoffs L

  3. How can an online doctor consultation benefit me?
    4-minute read

    If you need non-emergency medical care, virtual visits can come in handy. Here’s what to know about them. You’re in bed with the sniffles and a cough. You could call your doctor’s office and schedule an in-person appointment. But that would mean you would have to get out of bed, put on clothes and go to their office — all while not feeling your best. Telehealth could be an easy-to-use alternative.

View more articles