Quick answer
Open enrollment for 2027 marketplace coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Sign up by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1. Some states that run their own marketplaces have different dates: California, New Jersey, New York and DC go through January 31, while Idaho’s window closes December 15.
Key takeaways
- HealthCare.gov: November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
- Enroll by December 15 for a January 1 start; enrolling December 16 to January 15 means coverage starts February 1.
- State marketplaces set their own dates, from as early as October 15 to as late as January 31.
- Medicare’s open enrollment is different: October 15 to December 7.
- Outside open enrollment, you need a qualifying life event, unless you’re applying for Medicaid or CHIP.
On this page
2027 open enrollment dates by state
| Marketplace | Dates for 2027 coverage |
|---|---|
| HealthCare.gov (most states) | November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 |
| California, New Jersey, New York, DC | November 1 to January 31 |
| Virginia | November 1 to January 29 |
| Massachusetts | October 23 to January 23 |
| Connecticut | October 23 to January 15 |
| Rhode Island | November 1 to December 31 |
| Idaho | October 15 to December 15 |
| Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington | November 1 to January 15 |
When your coverage starts
On HealthCare.gov, if you pick a plan by December 15, coverage starts January 1. If you pick a plan between December 16 and January 15, it starts February 1. You also have to pay your first premium for coverage to begin.
Could the dates change?
A 2025 federal rule would have shortened open enrollment starting this fall, ending it on December 15 on HealthCare.gov. A federal court threw out that rule in June 2026, and HHS has appealed. The dates above apply for 2027 coverage; the schedule could change for later years depending on the appeal.
What to do during open enrollment
- Update your income estimate. Your tax credit is based on it, and from 2026 on there’s no cap on paying back extra credit.
- Compare plans, even if you like yours. Insurers proposed a median 15% increase for 2027, and some insurers, including Cigna, are leaving the marketplace. See how to lower your Marketplace premium for 2027.
- Check your doctors and drugs in every plan you’re considering.
- Don’t count on auto-renewal. If you do nothing, you may be renewed into the same or a similar plan at a new price.
ACA plans can’t turn you away or charge more for pre-existing conditions, so everyone can enroll during this window. If you’ve already missed the deadline, see what you can still do.
Do you have to buy insurance during open enrollment?
For Marketplace plans and most job-based plans, yes, unless you have a qualifying life event. There’s no federal penalty for being uninsured, but California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. charge their own. During open enrollment, insurers must accept you and can’t charge more because of your health. That’s the trade-off for having a set window: people can’t wait until they’re sick to sign up.
Other enrollment windows
- Special enrollment periods. You generally have 60 days after a qualifying life event, like losing coverage, moving, marriage or having a baby. See qualifying events.
- Medicaid and CHIP. You can apply any time.
- Job-based coverage. Your employer sets its own open enrollment, usually in the fall.
- Medicare. October 15 to December 7 for changes that start January 1.
Related guides: what’s changing for 2027, 2027 Obamacare income limits and 2027 premium increases by state.
Get ready for open enrollment: compare 2027 plans by ZIP code.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last day to sign up for health insurance for 2027?
January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Some state marketplaces run later, up to January 31.
What if I miss open enrollment?
You’ll need a qualifying life event to enroll before next fall. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications all year.
How many people signed up during the last open enrollment?
About 23.1 million people picked a marketplace plan for 2026, down from 24.1 million for 2025.
Is there a penalty for not having health insurance?
Not at the federal level. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. have their own penalties for going without coverage.
Sources
- healthinsurance.org: What are the deadlines for open enrollment?
- HealthCare.gov: Special enrollment period
- KFF: What we know about 2026 ACA marketplace enrollment, premiums and deductibles
- Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker: How much and why ACA marketplace premiums are going up in 2027
- Medicare.gov: When can I sign up for Medicare?
This article is general information, not insurance advice. Dates can change, so confirm with HealthCare.gov or your state’s marketplace. Last reviewed September 2026.