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For Members & Caregivers

Marketplace Open Enrollment 2027: Dates and Deadlines

Open Enrollment for 2027 Marketplace plans starts November 1. Here are the dates HealthCare.gov lists, when your coverage starts, and what to do if you miss them.

Here's the short answer. Starting November 1, you can apply for 2027 coverage on HealthCare.gov or update your application. HealthCare.gov lists December 15 as the last day to enroll or change plans for coverage that starts January 1. It lists January 15 as the last day of Open Enrollment. Pick a plan by December 15 to avoid a gap on January 1.

You may see a different end date online. Some articles say the window ends December 15. On the date this page was written, HealthCare.gov's own dates page listed January 15 as the last day, with December 15 as the cutoff for a January 1 start. Marketplace rules have been changing. Check HealthCare.gov, or your state's Marketplace, before you rely on any date.

The key dates

DateWhat happens
November 1Open Enrollment starts. It is the first day you can enroll in, renew, or change plans for the coming year. Coverage can start as soon as January 1.
December 15Last day to enroll or change plans for coverage that starts January 1.
January 1Coverage starts for people who enrolled or changed plans by December 15 and paid their first premium.
January 15Open Enrollment ends. After this, you can enroll or change plans only with a Special Enrollment Period.
February 1Coverage starts for people who enrolled or changed plans from December 16 through January 15 and paid their first premium.

The takeaway: waiting past December 15 means a later start. Coverage from a December 16 to January 15 sign-up starts February 1.

What to do before November 1

  1. Gather your information. HealthCare.gov offers a checklist of what to have ready to apply.
  2. Plan your income number. Savings depend on your expected income for the year. See How to estimate your Marketplace income.
  3. Learn what could change. Premiums often rise from year to year. See Why Marketplace premiums are rising.
  4. Update your application. You can update it starting November 1 with changes you expect for the year ahead.

If you miss Open Enrollment

Outside Open Enrollment, you can only enroll or change plans if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Examples include moving, getting married, or having a baby. If you lose qualifying health coverage, you may qualify if it happened in the past 60 days or you expect it in the next 60 days. If you lost Medicaid or CHIP in the past 90 days, you may qualify. See Lost Medicaid: What Now? and Retiring or Losing Coverage.

You can apply for Medicaid or CHIP at any time of year. Job-based plans may have their own Open Enrollment dates.

This is not Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare's yearly Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7. It is a different program with different dates. If you are turning 65, see Turning 65 on a Marketplace plan and Medicare Open Enrollment 2027. Our enrollment calendar puts the main dates in one place.

Common questions

When does Marketplace Open Enrollment start for 2027 coverage?

November 1.

What is the deadline to have coverage on January 1?

December 15, per HealthCare.gov. Pay your first premium too.

Can I still enroll after December 15?

HealthCare.gov lists January 15 as the last day of Open Enrollment. Coverage from a December 16 to January 15 sign-up starts February 1.

What if I miss Open Enrollment?

You need a Special Enrollment Period, such as a move or a loss of coverage.

Official sources

Verify before you act. MediPrimer is general educational information and is not affiliated with any agency or insurer. Dates and rules change. Confirm them at HealthCare.gov or your state Marketplace before you decide.