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Open enrollment 2027 dates and what to do before the deadline

Written by Harsha Moole, MD. Reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD. Last reviewed . Lea esta guía en español.

The short answerOpen enrollment for 2027 coverage on HealthCare.gov runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1, or from December 16 to January 15 for coverage that starts February 1. Some states run their own sites and set their own dates, so check the list below for yours.

Open enrollment dates for 2027 coverage on HealthCare.gov

Open enrollment is the yearly window when anyone can sign up for a health plan or change plans. For 2027 coverage, HealthCare.gov says open enrollment runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. HealthCare.gov is the federal website where people in most states buy plans.

The day you enroll decides when your coverage starts. Enrolling by December 15 starts your coverage on January 1, 2027. Enrolling from December 16 to January 15 starts it on February 1, 2027.

The Marketplace is the place to compare and buy private health plans. It was set up by the Affordable Care Act, a federal health law.

Federal rules about these dates have changed more than once, so check before you apply. Medicaid and CHIP are public programs for people with low incomes. You can apply for them any time of year. If you missed the window, read what to do after you miss open enrollment. Our guide on how to sign up for health insurance walks you through each step.

If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Emergency rooms must screen and stabilize anyone, with or without insurance.

This page gives general information and is not medical advice.

States that run their own sign-up site

The states below run their own sign-up site and set their own dates. Every other state, including Arkansas, uses HealthCare.gov and its dates.

  • California (Covered California) runs November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Covered California says to enroll by December 31 for a plan that starts January 1.
  • Colorado (Connect for Health Colorado) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. The deadline for coverage that starts January 1 is December 15.
  • Connecticut (Access Health CT) runs October 23, 2026 to January 15, 2027. For coverage that starts January 1, enroll by December 15.
  • District of Columbia (DC Health Link) runs November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. You can find the January 1 deadline on the state site.
  • Georgia (Georgia Access) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Sign up by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
  • Idaho (Your Health Idaho) runs October 15 to December 15, 2026. That last day is also the January 1 deadline.
  • Illinois (Get Covered Illinois) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
  • Kentucky (kynect) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. To get coverage on January 1, finish enrolling by December 15.
  • Maine (CoverME.gov) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 to have coverage start January 1.
  • Maryland (Maryland Health Connection) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Find the January 1 deadline on the state site.
  • Massachusetts (Health Connector) runs October 23, 2026 to January 23, 2027. The deadline for coverage that starts January 1 is December 23.
  • Minnesota (MNsure) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. The cutoff for coverage that starts January 1 is December 15.
  • Nevada (Nevada Health Link) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. The cutoff for coverage that starts January 1 is December 31.
  • New Jersey (Get Covered New Jersey) runs November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. For coverage that starts January 1, enroll by December 31.
  • New Mexico (beWellnm) runs November 1 to January 15. Check the state site for the January 1 deadline.
  • New York (NY State of Health) runs November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. The state urges you to enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
  • Oregon (Explore Health, the state's new site) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 31 for coverage that starts January 1.
  • Pennsylvania (Pennie) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. To get coverage on January 1, finish enrolling by December 15.
  • Rhode Island (HealthSource RI) runs November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027. Enroll by December 23 to have coverage start January 1.
  • Vermont (Vermont Health Connect) runs November 1 to December 28, 2026. The cutoff for coverage that starts January 1 is December 15.
  • Virginia (Virginia's Insurance Marketplace) runs November 1, 2026 to January 29, 2027. You can find the January 1 deadline on the state site.
  • Washington (Washington Healthplanfinder) runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. The deadline for coverage that starts January 1 is December 31.

What changed for 2027 coverage

For 2021 through 2025, Congress let people earning more than 400 percent of the poverty level get the credit. That change is over, and the IRS table for 2027 applies now. A premium tax credit lowers your premium, which is the monthly price of a plan. You can take it early, a little each month, or claim it at tax time, according to HealthCare.gov.

For 2027, help stops for households above 400 percent of the federal poverty level. The poverty level is a yearly income line. The government sets it by how many people live in your home. Our premium tax credit guide shows how the 2027 credit works.

If you take more of the credit early than you should get, the IRS says you must now pay all of the extra back. So tell the Marketplace when your income goes up or down.

A monthly special enrollment period once let people with income at or below 150 percent of the poverty line sign up in any month. According to CMS, the federal agency that runs HealthCare.gov, it ended on August 25, 2025.

Rules for some lawfully present immigrants also changed. HealthCare.gov can tell you what applies to you.

What happens if you do nothing?

This rule is for people who already have a Marketplace plan. Doing nothing by December 15 may get you re-enrolled in your plan or another plan from the same insurance company, according to HealthCare.gov. In some cases you will not be, so do not count on it.

Your price and your credit can change from one year to the next. Look at your new price before the year starts. To begin a new plan on January 1, you must finish any plan change on HealthCare.gov by December 15. If your state runs its own site, check the list above for its deadline.

If no plan fits your budget

If no plan fits your budget, read our guide on what to do when you cannot afford health insurance. It explains lower-cost plans and how to get care without a plan. You can also search our doctor directory for a doctor who takes cash pay.

Common questions

When is open enrollment for health insurance?

On HealthCare.gov, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Some states run their own sites and use different dates, which are listed above.

How much will Obamacare cost in 2027?

Obamacare is the common name for Marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act. Your cost depends on your income, your household size and the plan you pick, so this page does not give an average price. For 2027, the tax credit stops for households above 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

What happens if I do nothing during open enrollment?

This applies if you already have a Marketplace plan. If you do nothing by December 15, HealthCare.gov says you may be re-enrolled. That could be your plan or another plan from the same insurance company. In some cases you will not be re-enrolled. Your price and credit can change, so check your new plan.

Can I sign up after open enrollment ends?

Usually you need a special enrollment period, which a life event such as losing coverage or moving can open. Our guide on what to do if you missed open enrollment explains the rules and time limits.

Is there a tax penalty if I skip health insurance?

There is no federal tax penalty for having no insurance. Some states have their own rule, and our guide on whether it is illegal to not have health insurance has more.

Find an affordable doctor

This guide is general information, not medical, legal or tax advice. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.

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