2027 open enrollment: every deadline that matters
Open Enrollment for 2027 marketplace coverage runs November 1 to January 15 in most states. Coverage can start January 1 if you enroll by December 15.
Federal deadlines (HealthCare.gov states)
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 1 | Open Enrollment starts. You can enroll, renew, or change plans for 2027. |
| December 15 | Last day to enroll or change plans for coverage starting January 1. |
| January 1 | Coverage starts (if you enrolled by December 15 and paid your first premium). |
| January 15 | Open Enrollment ends. After this you need a qualifying life event for a Special Enrollment Period. |
States with different deadlines
A handful of states run their own marketplaces with their own end dates:
| State | Enrollment ends |
|---|---|
| Virginia | January 29 |
| California | January 31 |
| New Jersey | January 31 |
| New Mexico | January 31 |
| New York | January 31 |
| Rhode Island | January 31 |
| District of Columbia | January 31 |
| Vermont | December 15 (earlier than most) |
All other states not listed above use the federal November 1 to January 15 window.
The 15-minute enrollment checklist
- Estimate your subsidy first. The premium tax credit rules changed after 2025; run the estimator on any premiums state page before you pick a plan.
- Check the plan's denial record, not just the price. A cheap plan that denies 1 claim in 4 is not cheap. Compare your state's insurers first.
- Check the deductible before the premium. Metal level tables here show what you pay before coverage kicks in.
- Verify your doctors are in-network for the NEW plan year. Networks shrink every January; last year's directory is not evidence.
- Re-enroll even if nothing changed. Plans get discontinued; auto-re-enrollment can silently move you to a worse plan.
Frequently asked
When does 2027 open enrollment start and end?
Open Enrollment for 2027 marketplace coverage starts November 1, 2026 and ends January 15, 2027 in states using HealthCare.gov. Seven states and DC that run their own marketplaces stay open later (through January 29 or 31), and Vermont closes earlier, on December 15.
What is the deadline for coverage starting January 1?
December 15. Enroll or change plans by December 15, pay your first premium, and coverage starts January 1. Enrolling between December 16 and January 15 gives you coverage starting February 1.
Can I get coverage outside open enrollment?
Only through a Special Enrollment Period: losing other coverage, moving, marriage, divorce, a baby or adoption, and a few other life events give you usually 60 days from the event to enroll.
How much will 2027 plans cost?
Plan prices are set by insurers each year; this site tracks the per-state premium averages and deductible tables from CMS data, plus a subsidy estimator on every state page so you can estimate your tax credit.