When does open enrollment for health insurance start?

Open enrollment for ACA marketplace health insurance runs November 1 through January 15 every year. Coverage selected and paid for by December 15 begins January 1. Coverage selected between December 16 and January 15 begins February 1. Some state-based marketplaces have extended deadlines.

What happens if I miss open enrollment?

If you miss open enrollment you generally cannot get new marketplace coverage until the next open enrollment period unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period through a qualifying life event such as losing existing coverage getting married or having a baby. Medicaid enrollment is available year-round for those who qualify based on income.

What qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period?

Qualifying life events that trigger a Special Enrollment Period include losing health coverage through job loss or reduction in hours getting married or divorced having a baby adopting a child moving to a new area with different plan options gaining citizenship or lawful presence and leaving incarceration. You generally have 60 days from the qualifying event to enroll.

Open Enrollment Guide — Health Insurance Dates, Deadlines and How to Enroll

📅 If open enrollment has already passed for this plan year, you may still qualify for health insurance coverage through a Special Enrollment Period. See the Special Enrollment section below to find out if a recent life event qualifies you to enroll right now. Medicaid enrollment is also available year-round for those who qualify based on income.

Open enrollment is the annual window during which Americans can sign up for, change, or cancel ACA marketplace health insurance. Missing it could leave you without coverage and responsible for 100% of your medical costs — but a Special Enrollment Period may still give you a path to coverage if enrollment has passed. Whether you are preparing for the upcoming open enrollment or trying to get covered right now, this guide covers everything you need. Use our free health insurance cost estimator to understand your costs before you choose a plan, then read on for key dates, how to pick the right plan, qualifying life events, and the most common costly mistakes to avoid.

Enrollment Opens

Nov 1

Open enrollment begins November 1 every year for the following plan year

Deadline for Jan 1 Coverage

Dec 15

Enroll and pay by December 15 each year for coverage starting January 1

Enrollment Closes

Jan 15

Final deadline each year — coverage for late enrollees begins February 1

Special Enrollment Window

60 Days

Days you have to enroll after a qualifying life event — available year-round

Can I Get Health Insurance Right Now?

If open enrollment has passed, there are still two main paths to getting health insurance coverage right now. You do not have to wait until November to get covered — millions of Americans enroll in coverage year-round through one of these routes.

Path 1 — Special Enrollment Period

If you have experienced a qualifying life event in the past 60 days, you can enroll in marketplace coverage immediately. Common qualifying events include losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a baby, moving to a new area, and gaining citizenship. See the full list below.

Path 2 — Medicaid

If your household income is below approximately 138% of the Federal Poverty Level in a Medicaid expansion state, you can enroll in Medicaid at any time of year — no open enrollment required. Check eligibility at Healthcare.gov year-round.

Special Enrollment Periods — Getting Covered Outside Open Enrollment

A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) gives you 60 days from a qualifying life event to enroll in or change marketplace coverage. This is the primary path to getting coverage when open enrollment is not active. The same plan options and subsidy rules apply — a qualifying event simply unlocks the enrollment window for you personally.

You will need documentation of your qualifying event when applying through Healthcare.gov. Requirements vary by event type — job loss typically requires a termination letter or COBRA election notice, while a birth requires a hospital record or birth certificate.

Losing health coverage Job loss, reduction in hours, aging off a parent's plan at 26, or losing Medicaid eligibility all qualify. COBRA exhaustion also qualifies.
Family changes Getting married or divorced, having a baby, adopting a child, or the death of the primary policyholder who was covering you all trigger a Special Enrollment Period.
Moving to a new area Relocating to a ZIP code or county with different plan options available. This must be a permanent move — temporary travel does not qualify.
Citizenship or immigration status changes Gaining U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, or other qualifying immigration status opens a Special Enrollment window.
Leaving incarceration Release from a correctional facility triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period for marketplace or Medicaid coverage.
Income changes affecting subsidy eligibility A significant change in household income that substantially affects your subsidy eligibility may trigger enrollment rights in some circumstances.

Annual Open Enrollment — Key Dates Every Year

Open enrollment for ACA marketplace health insurance runs November 1 through January 15 every year. This annual window is when anyone can enroll in, change, or cancel marketplace coverage — no qualifying event required. If you want coverage to start at the beginning of the year, the December 15 deadline is critical.

Nov 1

Open enrollment begins — plans & prices available

Dec 15

Deadline for Jan 1 coverage — enroll & pay

Jan 15

Enrollment closes — Feb 1 coverage for late enrollees

Nov 1
Open enrollment begins Plans and prices for the coming year become available to compare. Shopping early gives you the most time to verify networks, check drug formularies, and estimate total annual costs before the December 15 deadline.
Dec 15
Critical deadline for January 1 coverage Enroll and make your first premium payment by December 15 for coverage beginning January 1. Missing this date by even one day means coverage cannot start until February 1 at the earliest — a meaningful gap if you have scheduled procedures or ongoing prescriptions.
Jan 15
Open enrollment closes The final deadline each year. Coverage for plans selected between December 16 and January 15 begins February 1. After this date, you must have a qualifying life event to enroll.

State marketplace variations: California, New York, Colorado, Washington D.C., and several other states operate their own marketplaces and may have extended enrollment windows. Always verify deadlines directly with your specific state marketplace before assuming the federal dates apply to you.

What Happens if You Miss Open Enrollment?

Without a qualifying life event, you must wait until the next open enrollment period — beginning November 1 — to get new marketplace coverage. During that gap, you are responsible for 100% of your healthcare costs. One emergency room visit or hospital stay without insurance can easily result in tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills.

While there is no longer a federal tax penalty for not having health insurance, several states maintain their own individual mandate penalties. If you live in one of these states, going uninsured carries a real financial cost beyond just your medical risk:

State	Penalty Structure
California	Up to $900 per adult and $450 per child annually
Massachusetts	Penalty varies by income level; long-standing mandate
New Jersey	2.5% of household income or a flat per-person penalty
Rhode Island	Similar structure to the pre-2019 federal penalty
Vermont	Reporting requirement but no current financial penalty
Washington D.C.	Financial penalty applies — check DC Health Link for rates

How to Choose the Right Plan During Open Enrollment

Choosing the wrong plan is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. A plan that looks cheap based on monthly premium can easily cost thousands more than a seemingly pricier plan once you factor in deductibles, copays, and prescription costs. Use this decision framework every open enrollment season:

Estimate your subsidy first

Before comparing plans, use our free health insurance cost estimator to understand your estimated Premium Tax Credit and whether you qualify for Cost-Sharing Reductions on Silver plans. Your subsidy eligibility changes your entire cost calculation and can make a Silver plan far cheaper than it first appears.

Check your doctors are in network

Verify that your primary care doctor and any specialists you see regularly accept the plans you are considering. Network changes happen every year — do not assume your doctor is still in network from the prior year. A single out-of-network specialist visit can cost thousands of dollars even with insurance.

Review your prescriptions carefully

Check each plan's drug formulary to confirm your regular medications are covered and at what cost tier. Drug coverage varies dramatically between plans on the same marketplace. A medication that costs $30 per month on one plan could cost $200+ on another.

Calculate your total annual cost — not just the premium

Add your monthly premium times 12 plus your expected out-of-pocket costs based on your typical healthcare use. A lower premium plan is not always cheaper overall. Compare the full-year cost including deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket maximum across your top plan options before deciding.

Prioritize Silver if CSR eligible

If your income is 100–250% of the Federal Poverty Level, Silver plan types with Cost-Sharing Reductions may be your best financial choice regardless of your health status. Enhanced Silver plans with CSR can have deductibles as low as $100–$500, making them dramatically more valuable than their sticker price suggests.

Step by Step — How to Enroll in Marketplace Coverage

Whether enrolling during open enrollment or through a Special Enrollment Period, the application process is the same. Follow these steps to complete your enrollment correctly and avoid coverage delays:

Gather what you need before starting Social Security numbers for all household members, employer information if applicable, and income documentation — recent pay stubs or your prior year tax return. Estimate your full annual household income including wages, self-employment income, Social Security, and any other sources.
Go to Healthcare.gov or your state marketplace Create an account or log into an existing one. State marketplaces include Covered California, NY State of Health, Connect for Health Colorado, and others. If you are unsure whether your state uses the federal platform, check Healthcare.gov — it will direct you to the correct marketplace.
Complete the application Answer questions about household size, projected annual income, and employer coverage availability. Your subsidy eligibility — including your Premium Tax Credit amount and Cost-Sharing Reduction eligibility — is calculated automatically based on your answers.
Compare and select a plan Filter by premium, network, drug coverage, and deductible. Use the side-by-side comparison tool to evaluate your top choices. Confirm your doctors and prescriptions are covered before finalizing your selection.
Pay your first premium — this step is essential Coverage does not begin until your first payment is received by the insurer. Enrollment is not complete without payment. Missing your first payment deadline will result in your coverage being cancelled before it starts.
Get free help if you need it Call the ACA helpline at 1-800-318-2596 or find a certified local navigator at localhelp.healthcare.gov. Navigators are available in every state at no cost to you.

7 Costly Open Enrollment Mistakes to Avoid

These are the most common — and most expensive — errors people make during open enrollment. Avoiding even one of these mistakes can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars over the course of a plan year.

Mistake 1: Choosing the lowest premium without checking the deductible. A very low premium plan with a $9,000 deductible can cost far more than a Silver plan if you need any significant care during the year. Always calculate your total annual cost — premium plus expected out-of-pocket — before deciding on a Bronze plan.
Mistake 2: Not verifying your doctors are in network before enrolling. Out-of-network care can cost thousands of dollars even with insurance. Insurer networks change every year — always confirm that your primary care doctor and specialists accept your new plan directly with their office before you finalize enrollment.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to update your income estimate. If your actual income ends up significantly higher than what you reported, you may owe subsidy repayments when you file your taxes. Update your income estimate mid-year if your income changes substantially.
Mistake 4: Missing the December 15 deadline if you need January 1 coverage. If you have a planned procedure, scheduled surgery, or ongoing treatment in January, missing the December 15 deadline could leave you uninsured for that entire month. This date is firm — there are no exceptions for the January 1 start date.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Medicaid eligibility. If your income may qualify, Medicaid enrollment is available year-round with no open enrollment deadline. Eligible individuals can enroll at any time and coverage can begin very quickly. Many people who qualify never check.
Mistake 6: Assuming your current plan auto-renews with identical terms. Plans change every year — premiums, deductibles, provider networks, and drug formularies can all shift significantly from one year to the next. Review your plan's updated terms every open enrollment even if you plan to keep it.
Mistake 7: Skipping the Cost-Sharing Reduction eligibility check. If your income is 100–250% of the Federal Poverty Level and you choose a Bronze plan, you are leaving significant financial help on the table. Cost-Sharing Reductions are only available on Silver plans and can dramatically reduce your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum.

Free Enrollment Help is Available Year-Round

You don't have to navigate enrollment alone

Federally trained navigators and certified application counselors are available in every state to provide free, unbiased enrollment assistance year-round — not just during open enrollment. They cannot sell you insurance, but they can help you understand your options, compare plans, check your subsidy eligibility, and complete your application correctly — all at absolutely no cost to you.

These services are funded by the federal government specifically to help consumers navigate the marketplace without sales pressure. Navigator assistance is particularly valuable if your situation is complex — self-employment income, mixed immigration status households, or recent life events that may trigger Special Enrollment eligibility.

Find a certified navigator near you at localhelp.healthcare.gov, or call the ACA helpline at 1-800-318-2596 — available seven days a week in over 150 languages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Open Enrollment

Can I enroll in health insurance at any time of year?

Outside of open enrollment, you generally cannot enroll in new ACA marketplace coverage unless you have experienced a qualifying life event. A qualifying event triggers a Special Enrollment Period — a 60-day window during which you can enroll in or change marketplace coverage, regardless of the time of year. Common qualifying events include losing job-based insurance, getting married, having a baby, or moving to a new area. However, Medicaid enrollment is available year-round for those who meet income eligibility thresholds — typically around 138% of the Federal Poverty Level in states that have expanded Medicaid. If you are unsure whether you qualify for either pathway, check your eligibility at Healthcare.gov or contact a free local navigator.

What documents do I need to enroll in marketplace coverage?

Before starting your application, gather the following: Social Security numbers (or document numbers for legal immigrants) for all household members who need coverage; employer and income information for everyone in the household, including recent pay stubs or your most recent tax return; policy numbers for any current health insurance plans; and if you are enrolling through a Special Enrollment Period, documentation of your qualifying event — such as a termination letter from your employer, a COBRA election notice, a marriage certificate, a birth certificate, or proof of a permanent move. You will also need to estimate your full projected annual household income from all sources, including wages, self-employment, Social Security, rental income, and alimony received.

Can I change my plan after open enrollment ends?

Generally, once open enrollment ends on January 15, you cannot change your plan until the next open enrollment period unless you experience a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period. However, some state-based marketplaces offer more flexibility than the federal platform — particularly for plan changes in the early weeks of coverage. If you realize you enrolled in the wrong plan before your coverage has begun, contact the marketplace immediately. In some cases, you may be able to correct an error before the first payment processes. If your income changes significantly mid-year, that may also create an opportunity to update your plan or subsidy amount.

How do I know if my doctor is covered by a plan?

The most reliable method is to call your doctor's office directly and ask whether they are in-network for the specific plan you are considering — including the exact plan name and insurer. The Healthcare.gov plan finder tool includes a provider directory search, but online directories are not always updated in real time. Networks change every year, and a doctor who was in-network on your previous plan may not be in-network on your new one — even with the same insurance company. Out-of-network care can result in costs of thousands of dollars per visit even with insurance, so always verify before you enroll rather than assuming continuity from prior years. Check both your primary care doctor and any specialists you see regularly.

What is the difference between open enrollment and a Special Enrollment Period?

Open enrollment is the annual window — running November 1 through January 15 every year — during which any eligible American can enroll in, change, or cancel marketplace health insurance coverage with no special circumstances required. A Special Enrollment Period, by contrast, is triggered by a specific qualifying life event and allows you to enroll outside that annual window. The qualifying event must have occurred within the past 60 days (or be anticipated to occur, in some cases). Both pathways give you access to the same plans, the same Premium Tax Credit subsidy, and the same Cost-Sharing Reductions. The only difference is the enrollment trigger — during open enrollment, no event is needed; during a Special Enrollment Period, documentation of your qualifying event is required.

Estimate My Health Insurance Cost — Free

No personal information required. Instant ACA subsidy and premium estimate.