When Is Open Enrollment for 2026-2027?

September 4, 2026
•
3-minute read

The 2027 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins November 1, 2026, and ends  January 15, 2027, in 27 states.1

The chart below shows the 2027 OEP dates for the states that use the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage begins January 1.

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, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Alaska

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Arizona

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Arkansas

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Delaware

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Florida

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Hawaii

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Indiana

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Iowa

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Kansas

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Louisiana

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Michigan

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Mississippi

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Missouri

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Montana

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Nebraska

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

New Hampshire

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

North Carolina

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

North Dakota

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Ohio

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Oklahoma

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

South Carolina

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

South Dakota

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Tennessee

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Texas

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Utah

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

West Virginia

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Wisconsin

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Wyoming

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

In 2027, 23 states and the District of Columbia will offer health insurance through State-based Exchanges. These states have different date ranges for the 2027 Open Enrollment Period.2

The chart below shows the Open Enrollment Period dates for these states.

States

State Open Enrollment Period for 2027 Plans

California3

November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027

Colorado4

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Connecticut5

October 23, 2026 – December 23, 2027

Georgia27

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Idaho6

October 15, 2026 – December 15, 2027

Illinois25

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Kentucky7

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Maine8

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Maryland9

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Massachusetts10

October 23, 2026 – January 23, 2027

Minnesota11

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Nevada12

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

New Jersey13

November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027

New Mexico14

November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027

New York28

November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027

Oregon24

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Pennsylvania15

November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027

Rhode Island26

November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027

Vermont16

November 1, 2026 – December 15, 2026

Virginia17

November 1, 2026 – January 29, 2027

Washington DC18

November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027

Washington19

October 23, 2026 – December 31, 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:20

  • 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.21 But, if you miss that 60-day window, you will have to wait until OEP to enroll in an individual health insurance policy for 2027.

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

If you missed the 2027 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.22, 23
  • 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 2028 begins in fall 2027.

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? (2026). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/ Accessed on August 11, 2026.

2. State-based Exchanges. (2026). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/cciio/resources/fact-sheets-and-faqs/state-marketplaces Accessed on August 12, 2026.

3. Covered California Rates and Plans for 2027: California Continues Fight for Health Insurance Affordability and Access. (2026). Covered California. Retrieved from: https://www.coveredca.com/newsroom/news-releases/2026/07/21/covered-california-rates-and-plans-for-2027-california-continues-fight-for-health-insurance-affordability-and-access/ Accessed on August 12, 2026.

4. Information About Buying Health Insurance. (2026). Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing. Retrieved from: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/information-about-buying-health-insurance Accessed on August 12, 2026.

5. Access Health Announces 2027 Open Enrollment Dates. (2026). Access Health CT. Retrieved from: https://agency.accesshealthct.com/access-health-ct-announces-2027-open-enrollment-dates Accessed on August 12, 2026.

6. How to Enroll. (2026). Your Health Idaho. Retrieved from: https://yourhealthidaho.org/apply-and-enroll/ Accessed on August 12, 2026.

7. Open Enrollment is Coming Soon!. (2026). Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange. Retrieved from: https://khbe.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx Accessed on August 12, 2026.

8. Open Enrollment. (2026). CoverMe.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.coverme.gov/learn/how-to-enroll/open-enrollment Accessed on August 12, 2026.

9. When can I enroll? (2026). Maryland Health Connection. Retrieved from: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/faq/when-can-i-enroll/ Accessed on August 12, 2026.

10. Important Dates and Deadlines. (2026). Massachusetts Health Connector. Retrieved from: https://www.mahealthconnector.org/get-started/plan-renewal-information Accessed on August 12, 2026.

11. 2027 Open Enrollment Sates Have Changed. (2026). MNSure Assister Central. Retrieved from: https://www.mnsure.org/assister-central/announcements/index.jsp?id=34-750229 Accessed on August 12, 2026.

12. What is Nevada Health Link? (2026). Nevada Health Link. Retrieved from: https://nevadahealthlink.com Accessed on August 12, 2026.

13. NJ Department of Banking and Insurance to Maintain Three-Month Open Enrollment Period for Get Covered New Jersey Despite Federal Efforts to Narrow Sign Up Window. (2026). State of New Jersey. Retrieved from: https://www.nj.gov/dobi/pressreleases/pr260810.html Accessed on August 12, 2026.

14. Need Insurance? A Guide to Understanding Your Enrollment Options. (2026). Be Well New Mexico. Retrieved from: https://bewellnm.com/blogs/open-enrollment-special-enrollment/ Accessed on August 12, 2026.

15. PA Health Insurance Exchange 2027 Open Enrollment Period Returns to November 1, 2026-January 15, 2027. (2026). PA Health Insurance Exchange. Retrieved from: https://www.porh.psu.edu/pa-health-insurance-exchange-2027-open-enrollment-period-returns-to-november-1-2026-january-15-2027/ Accessed on August 12, 2026.

16. Health Insurance Changes: Stay informed! (2026). Vermont Health Connect. Retrieved from: https://info.healthconnect.vermont.gov/health-insurance-changes Accessed on August 12, 2026.

17. How to Enroll. (2026). Virginia's Insurance Marketplace. Retrieved from: https://www.marketplace.virginia.gov/how-enroll Accessed on August 12, 2026.

18. When is open enrollment? (2026). DC Health Link. Retrieved from: https://www.dchealthlink.com/faqs/when-open-enrollment Accessed August 12, 2026.

19. Guidance for Participation of Health Plans in the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. (2026). Washington Health Benefit Exchange. Retrieved from: https://www.wahbexchange.org/content/dam/materials/communications/committees-and-workgroups/plan-cert/2026/Final_PY_2027_QHP_Guidance_for_Participation.pdf Accessed on August 12, 2026.

20. Get or change coverage outside of Open Enrollment. (2026). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/your-options/ Accessed on August 12, 2026.

21. Special enrollment opportunities. (2026). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period  Accessed on August 12, 2026.

22. 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 August 12, 2026.

23. 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 August 12, 2026.

24. About Marketplace coverage: Enrollment periods. (2026). Oregon.gov. Retrieved from: https://healthcare.oregon.gov/marketplace/coverage/pages/enrollment-periods.aspx Accessed on September 1, 2026.

25. Illinois has its own marketplace. (2026). Get Covered Illinois. Retrieved from: https://getcovered.illinois.gov/get-started/about-the-marketplace.html Accessed on September 2, 2026.

26. New State Savings Make HealthSource RI Coverage More Affordable. HealthSourceRI. (2026). Retrieved from: https://healthsourceri.com/stayconnected/ Accessed on September 1, 2026.

27. Renew or Update Coverage. (2026). Georgia Access. Retrieved from: https://georgiaaccess.gov/renew-or-update-coverage/ Accessed on September 4, 2026.

28. NY State of Health. (2026). NY.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.nyc.gov/site/ochia/coverage-care/ny-state-of-health.page Accessed on September 4, 2026.

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