Marketplace Open Enrollment: The Dates That Matter Between Nov 1 and Jan 15
Open Enrollment for 2027 Marketplace health plans starts November 1. The next ten weeks decide what you'll pay and when coverage starts. Here are the dates that matter, what changed this year, and how to get free help with the application.
AT A GLANCE
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Why the end date was in doubt
If you heard that this year's window would be shorter, you weren't imagining it. A federal rule finalized in June 2025 set a shorter Open Enrollment for 2027 plans. The regulation text on eCFR still says the window for 2027 and later must end by December 31 and last no more than nine weeks. Then federal court rulings in City of Columbus v. Kennedy changed the picture.
In a statement dated July 27, 2026, CMS said Open Enrollment at the federally facilitated Marketplace will begin on November 1, 2026 and end on January 15, 2027. HealthCare.gov now shows the same dates. So if you live in a state that uses HealthCare.gov, January 15 is the last day for 2027 coverage unless you later qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
States that run their own Marketplace can set their own dates within the federal rules. The CMS statement notes those state flexibilities are unchanged. If your state uses its own website, check that site's deadline instead of relying on the HealthCare.gov dates. One change to know about: HealthCare.gov says that starting November 1, Oregon residents will use ExploreHealthOR.gov for 2027 coverage.
Missing December 15 doesn't lock you out. It mostly changes when your coverage starts.
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The key dates at a glance
These dates come from HealthCare.gov's Open Enrollment calendar for 2027 coverage.
Date | What happens |
|---|---|
By November 1 | Current enrollees should have two letters: one from their insurer and one from the Marketplace. |
November 1, 2026 | Open Enrollment starts. You can apply, renew or change plans for 2027. |
December 15, 2026 | Last day to pick a plan for coverage that starts January 1. |
January 1, 2027 | Coverage starts for people who enrolled by December 15 and paid their first premium. |
January 15, 2027 | Open Enrollment ends. |
February 1, 2027 | Coverage starts for people who enrolled December 16 to January 15 and paid their first premium. |
January 16 onward | You need a Special Enrollment Period to enroll or change plans. |
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If you already have a Marketplace plan
Doing nothing often means automatic renewal. That's a safety net, but it can cost you money.
Read your two letters
HealthCare.gov says that by November 1 you should get one letter from your insurance company and one from the Marketplace. Together they tell you:
Whether your current plan is available next year
Which plan, if any, you'll be automatically re-enrolled in if you don't act by December 15
Any changes in your coverage and cost savings
Whether the Marketplace needs documents to confirm your application, and how to send them
If you're missing the insurer's letter, contact your plan. If you're missing the Marketplace letter, call the Marketplace Call Center.
What happens if you do nothing
If you... | What HealthCare.gov says happens |
|---|---|
Don't act by December 15 | You may be automatically re-enrolled for January 1 coverage. |
Are re-enrolled but want a different plan | You can still pick another plan by December 15 for a January 1 start. |
Want to switch after auto-renewal started | You can change plans until January 15, for a February 1 start. |
Don't want Marketplace coverage next year | Log in or call to stop coverage, or you may be re-enrolled. |
HealthCare.gov also warns that in some cases you won't be renewed automatically. If you want coverage next year, the safe move is to log in during Open Enrollment and pick a plan yourself.
Update your income, even if nothing else changed
Savings are based on your expected income for the year you want coverage, not on past years. If you don't update it, HealthCare.gov says one of two things can happen. You could qualify for more savings than you're getting now. Or you could get too much help each month and have to pay back the difference when you file your federal taxes.
You can start from your household's adjusted gross income, which is line 11 of IRS Form 1040, and adjust it for changes you expect. Your household usually includes you, your spouse if you're married, and everyone you'll claim as a tax dependent, even if they don't need coverage.
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How the savings work
There are two kinds of help, and HealthCare.gov says you'll see exact amounts only when you fill out an application.
Type of help | What it does | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
Premium tax credit | Lowers your monthly premium. The Marketplace sends it straight to your insurer. | You can use all, some or none of it each month. If you use more than you qualify for, you repay the difference at tax time. |
Cost-sharing reductions | Lower deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. | Only available if you pick a plan in the Silver category. |
Medicaid or CHIP | Free or low-cost coverage based on income. | The Marketplace checks this when you apply and sends your details to your state agency. Children may qualify for CHIP even if you don't qualify for Medicaid. |
If you're worried about owing money back, you can choose to apply less of the tax credit each month. In its July 27 statement, CMS also reminded enrollees that if they get the tax credit in advance, they must file a federal tax return and reconcile it.
A change for some immigrants in 2027
HealthCare.gov says that because of a law change, starting January 1, 2027, only certain immigration statuses qualify for Marketplace savings. The statuses it lists are Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders), Cuban or Haitian entrants, and Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants. People with other lawful statuses may still be able to buy Marketplace coverage, but without savings. If that's you, ask a free assister to help you compare your options before January 15.
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Missed the window? Special Enrollment Periods
After January 15, you can enroll or change plans only with a qualifying life event. HealthCare.gov lists events like these. Most give you 60 days to act.
Life event | Examples from HealthCare.gov |
|---|---|
Changes in household | Getting married, having a baby, adopting a child or placing a child in foster care |
Losing health coverage | Losing job-based coverage or COBRA, losing Medicaid or CHIP, aging off a parent's plan |
Moving | A permanent move to a new area with different plans. A move only for medical treatment, or a vacation stay, doesn't count. |
Losing Medicare Part A | Losing premium-free Part A |
For a new baby, coverage can start on the day of birth even if you enroll up to 60 days later. If you lose coverage, you'll need documents to prove it. Choosing to drop coverage on your own usually doesn't count.
Medicaid and CHIP work differently. You can apply any time of year, and HealthCare.gov encourages people to apply even if they doubt they'll qualify, especially if they have children, are pregnant or have a disability. If you were recently cut from Medicaid at renewal, see our guide to the 90-day window after losing Medicaid.
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Applying or renewing step by step
Gather your numbers first. Use the checklist below so you aren't guessing at income halfway through.
Log in to HealthCare.gov, or your state's own Marketplace site, and choose the application for 2027 coverage.
Update your expected 2027 income and your household. This drives your savings.
Review your eligibility results. Check whether anyone may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, and whether you qualify for cost-sharing reductions.
Compare plans, not just premiums. Check deductibles, whether your doctors are in network, and whether your drugs are covered. If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions, look closely at Silver plans.
Decide how much tax credit to use each month. Using less now lowers the risk of a tax bill later.
Pick a plan by December 15 for January 1 coverage, then pay your first premium.
Send any documents the Marketplace asks for by the date in its notice.
Before you call or log in
☐ Your Marketplace username and password, or your application ID
☐ Both renewal letters, if you're already enrolled
☐ Your most recent tax return, or your Form 1040 adjusted gross income
☐ Recent pay stubs and a realistic estimate of 2027 income for everyone in the household
☐ Social Security numbers for household members who need coverage, and immigration documents if they apply
☐ Any job-based coverage offers, including the cost of the employee-only plan
☐ A list of your doctors and the prescriptions you take
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Where to get free help
You don't need to pay anyone to apply. HealthCare.gov lists several ways to apply and get help:
By phone: The Marketplace Call Center, 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325), can answer questions, help you apply, compare plans and enroll. Help is available in other languages.
In person: Search the Find Local Help tool at localhelp.healthcare.gov by city, state or ZIP code. Trained assisters, sometimes called navigators or certified application counselors, give free help.
Agents and brokers: They're licensed to sell plans in their state and are generally paid by insurance companies.
On paper: You can mail a paper application. HealthCare.gov says eligibility results arrive by mail within 2 weeks, which leaves less time before deadlines.
If a medical bill is part of what's pushing you to get covered, our guide to sliding-fee community health centers explains low-cost care you can use now, with or without insurance.
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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Related help
If you also help a parent or relative with Medicare, their Open Enrollment works on a different calendar. Our guide to Extra Help with Medicare drug costs explains one program that can lower their costs.
Official sources
Last checked: October 23, 2026 (HealthCare.gov dates, renewal, savings and immigration pages; CMS statement of July 27, 2026).
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