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When Is 2027 Open Enrollment? Deadlines and Coverage Start Dates
Open Enrollment has real deadlines, and missing them by even a day can push your coverage start date back or close the window entirely -- here's exactly what the dates mean.
The annual ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment Period runs on a fixed federal calendar (November 1 through January 15 in most states, though a handful of states that run their own Marketplace set their own dates and windows). Enrolling by December 15 generally gets coverage started January 1; enrolling after that but before the window closes generally pushes the start date to February 1. After the window closes, you generally need a Special Enrollment Period or Medicaid/CHIP eligibility to enroll outside the annual calendar.
Two different deadlines matter, not just one
December 15 (in most states) is the deadline for a January 1 coverage start -- it is not the deadline to enroll at all. The Open Enrollment window itself generally stays open through January 15, but enrolling after December 15 generally means your coverage doesn't start until February 1, not January 1.
A handful of states set their own dates
States that run their own ACA Marketplace (instead of using healthcare.gov) can set a different Open Enrollment window, sometimes extending it well past January 15. Don't assume the federal dates apply to your state without checking.
Missing the window entirely doesn't always mean no options
A qualifying life event -- job loss, moving, marriage, a new baby, losing other coverage, and others -- can open a real Special Enrollment Period outside the annual calendar. Medicaid and CHIP eligibility isn't limited to Open Enrollment at all.
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Common questions
Is December 15 the deadline to enroll, or just for January 1 coverage?
In most states, December 15 is specifically the deadline for a January 1 coverage start date -- the Open Enrollment window itself generally stays open through January 15, just with a later coverage start (typically February 1) for anyone who enrolls in that final stretch.
What if my state runs its own Marketplace instead of healthcare.gov?
States running their own Marketplace can set different Open Enrollment dates, sometimes extending well past the federal January 15 deadline. Confirm your specific state's dates rather than assuming the federal calendar applies.
I think I'm going to miss the deadline. What are my real options?
Check whether a qualifying life event opened a Special Enrollment Period for you, and whether you or household members qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, which isn't limited to the annual calendar. A licensed agent can walk through your specific situation before you assume you're out of options.
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Call 855-367-1095 to talk through your situation with licensed insurance help.
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Information on this site is educational and does not guarantee eligibility, enrollment, pricing, or availability. It is not a recommendation to buy any specific plan or policy.