Health insurance Open Enrollment is the yearly period when individuals and families can enroll in a new Marketplace plan, renew their current coverage or switch to a different plan.
For most people using HealthCare.gov, the 2027 Open Enrollment Period begins on November 1, 2026, and ends on January 15, 2027.
However, waiting until the final day could delay when your coverage begins.
Important 2027 Open Enrollment dates
Here is the federal Marketplace schedule:
These are the dates for the federal Marketplace. States that operate their own insurance exchanges may publish different deadlines, so residents should verify the schedule for their state.
Who should review their coverage?
Open Enrollment is not only for people who are currently uninsured.
You should review your options if:
- You already have a Marketplace plan
- Your premium increased
- Your deductible changed
- Your doctors are no longer in the network
- Your prescriptions are no longer covered
- Your income or household size changed
- You became self-employed
- You are losing employer coverage
- Your current insurance company is leaving your area
As of July 2, 2026, seven insurance carriers had announced plans to exit at least some ACA Marketplace areas for 2027. Four carriers had announced plans to enter new state markets. That means some consumers may have fewer choices, while others may see new options.
Why you should not automatically renew your plan
Automatic renewal may seem convenient, but it can be expensive.
A plan that worked well in 2026 may not be your best option in 2027.
Insurance companies can change:
- Monthly premiums
- Deductibles
- Copayments
- Prescription drug lists
- Hospital networks
- Doctor networks
- Maximum out-of-pocket limits
Your premium tax credit can also change because it is based on your expected household income, household size, location and the cost of available plans.
Even when the plan name stays the same, the benefits may be different.
Before renewing, compare the full 2027 Summary of Benefits and Coverage with your current plan.
The December 15 deadline matters
Many people assume they have until January 15 to get coverage beginning January 1.
That is incorrect under the standard HealthCare.gov schedule.
You generally need to enroll by December 15, 2026, for coverage to begin on January 1, 2027.
People who enroll after December 15 may have to wait until February 1 for their new coverage to begin.
Watch for a coverage gap: If your current insurance ends on December 31 and you enroll after December 15, your new plan may not start until February 1 — leaving you without coverage for the month of January.
What information will you need?
Before applying, gather:
- Birth dates for everyone applying
- Social Security numbers
- Home address
- Expected 2027 household income
- Information about employer coverage offers
- Current doctors and hospitals
- Prescription names and dosages
- Current insurance information
- Immigration documents when applicable
Self-employed applicants should estimate their expected net business income rather than simply entering total business revenue. Marketplace savings are based on expected income for the coverage year, not necessarily the income reported on the previous year's tax return.
Do not compare plans by premium alone
The lowest monthly premium is not always the least expensive plan.
Consider the entire financial risk:
- Annual premium. Multiply the monthly premium by 12.
- Deductible. Determine how much you may have to spend before the plan begins paying for many services.
- Copayments and coinsurance. Review what you pay for office visits, specialists, prescriptions, testing, emergency care and hospital services.
- Maximum out-of-pocket limit. This is the most you may pay for covered in-network services during the year, excluding premiums.
- Provider network. Confirm that your preferred doctors, hospitals and facilities participate in the specific plan network.
- Prescription coverage. Check the plan's formulary and the pricing tier for every regular medication.
A plan with a slightly higher premium may save thousands of dollars if it has better prescription benefits, a lower deductible or stronger provider access.
What happens if you miss Open Enrollment?
After January 15, most people need a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in or change a Marketplace plan.
Qualifying events may include:
- Losing job-based health insurance
- Getting married
- Having or adopting a child
- Moving to a new coverage area
- Losing eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP
- Losing coverage through a family member
Depending on the event, you usually have a limited enrollment window. Many Special Enrollment Periods provide approximately 60 days before or after the qualifying event.
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program can accept applications throughout the year.
Should you use an insurance advisor?
A licensed health insurance advisor can help you compare premiums, deductibles, networks and eligibility rules.
The advisor should also explain whether a recommendation is:
- An ACA Marketplace plan
- An ACA-compliant plan sold outside the Marketplace
- A medically underwritten plan
- Short-term coverage
- Supplemental insurance
- A limited-benefit product
These are not interchangeable.
Before enrolling, make sure you understand what the plan covers, what it excludes and what could cause a claim to be denied.
Final takeaway
The most important 2027 deadline is December 15, 2026, for coverage that begins January 1.
The final HealthCare.gov enrollment deadline is expected to be January 15, 2027.
Do not wait until the deadline to begin reviewing coverage. Premiums, networks, prescriptions and available insurance companies are already changing for 2027.
A careful comparison may help you avoid higher costs, an unexpected coverage gap or a plan that does not include your doctors.