# When is the HealthCare.gov open enrollment deadline?

*People who want coverage to begin on January 1 have an earlier cutoff, December 15.*

- Type: Explainer
- Section: Health
- By: Health Desk
- Published: 2026-11-11T20:12:00-05:00
- Updated: 2026-11-11T20:12:00-05:00
- URL: https://factsdesk.com/health/when-is-the-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-deadline/

## Key facts

- Open enrollment for 2027 health coverage on HealthCare.gov began on November 1, 2026, and runs through January 15, 2027, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said. Source: [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/plan-year-2027-marketplace-plans-prices-fact-sheet-0). Confirmed 2026-11-11T20:11:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/health/when-is-the-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-deadline/#open-enrollment-for-2027-health-coverage-on-healthcare-gov
- December 15 is the last day to enroll in or change plans on HealthCare.gov for coverage that starts January 1. Source: [HealthCare.gov](https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/). Confirmed 2026-11-11T20:11:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/health/when-is-the-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-deadline/#december-15-is-the-last-day-to-enroll-in-or-change-plans-on
- Coverage starts February 1 for people who enroll in or change plans from December 16 through January 15 and pay their first premium. Source: [HealthCare.gov](https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/). Confirmed 2026-11-11T20:08:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/health/when-is-the-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-deadline/#coverage-starts-february-1-for-people-who-enroll-in-or
- After January 15, a person can enroll in or change Marketplace plans only by qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period. Source: [HealthCare.gov](https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/). Confirmed 2026-11-11T20:08:00-05:00. Cite: https://factsdesk.com/health/when-is-the-healthcare-gov-open-enrollment-deadline/#after-january-15-a-person-can-enroll-in-or-change

Open enrollment for 2027 health coverage on HealthCare.gov runs through January 15, 2027, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a [fact sheet](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/plan-year-2027-marketplace-plans-prices-fact-sheet-0), and December 15 is the last day to enroll for coverage that starts January 1, according to the [dates and deadlines page](https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/) on HealthCare.gov. The federal government operates the Health Insurance Marketplace, available at HealthCare.gov, for most states, and some states run their own Marketplaces, the site's [glossary](https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/health-insurance-marketplace-glossary/) says.

## The dates for 2027 coverage

The agency said in the fact sheet, dated October 30, 2026, that the open enrollment period for 2027 HealthCare.gov coverage "begins on November 1, 2026, and runs through January 15, 2027." The [HealthCare.gov schedule](https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/) gives these steps.

| Date | What happens |
| --- | --- |
| November 1 | Open enrollment starts |
| December 15 | Last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage that starts January 1 |
| January 1 | Coverage starts for people who enrolled by December 15 and paid their first premium |
| January 15 | Open enrollment ends |
| February 1 | Coverage starts for people who enrolled from December 16 through January 15 and paid their first premium |

## What happens after the deadline

After January 15, a person can enroll in or change Marketplace plans only by qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period, [HealthCare.gov says](https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/). The site describes that as a period outside open enrollment when a person can enroll because of a life event, such as getting married, having a baby, moving or losing health coverage. It also says people can apply for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program at any time.

## States with their own Marketplace

These dates are the ones HealthCare.gov publishes. HealthCare.gov says that how a person applies [depends on whether their state has its own Marketplace](https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace-in-your-state/), and it directs people to pick their state to find out how to get coverage.

## Sources

1. [When can you get health insurance?](https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/), HealthCare.gov, 2026-11-11 (primary source)
2. [Plan Year 2027 Marketplace Plans and Prices Fact Sheet](https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/plan-year-2027-marketplace-plans-prices-fact-sheet-0), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 2026-10-30 (primary source)
3. [The Marketplace in your state](https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace-in-your-state/), HealthCare.gov, 2026-11-11 (primary source)
4. [Health Insurance Marketplace, glossary](https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/health-insurance-marketplace-glossary/), HealthCare.gov, 2026-11-11 (primary source)