When Is Open Enrollment for 2025-2026?
The 2026 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins November 1, 2025, and ends usually January 15, 2026, in most states.1
The chart below shows the 2026 OEP dates for the states that use the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage begins January 1.2
If you have a Special Enrollment Period, coverage will begin the first day of the month after you sign up. For example, if you sign up on February 15, your coverage will be effective March 1.
States |
Federal Open Enrollment Period for 2025 Plans |
|---|---|
Alabama |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Alaska |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Arizona |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Arkansas |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Delaware |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Florida |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Hawaii |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Illinois |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Indiana |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Iowa |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Kansas |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Louisiana |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Michigan |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Mississippi |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Missouri |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Montana |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Nebraska |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
New Hampshire |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
North Carolina |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
North Dakota |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Ohio |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Oklahoma |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Oregon |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
South Carolina |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
South Dakota |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Tennessee |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Texas |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Utah |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
West Virginia |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Wisconsin |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Wyoming |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Some states with their own ACA exchanges have different date ranges for the 2026 Open Enrollment Period. The chart below shows the SEP and OEP dates for these states.3
States |
State Open Enrollment Period for 2026 Plans |
|---|---|
California4 |
November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 |
Colorado5 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Connecticut6 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Georgia7 |
November 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026 |
Idaho8 |
October 15, 2025 – December 15, 2025 |
Kentucky9 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Maine10 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Maryland11 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Massachusetts12 |
November 1, 2025 – January 23, 2026 |
Minnesota13 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Nevada14 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
New Jersey15 |
November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 |
New Mexico16 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
New York17 |
November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 |
Pennsylvania18 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Rhode Island19 |
November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 |
Vermont20 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
Virginia21 |
November 1, 2025 – January 30, 2026 |
Washington DC22 |
November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 |
Washington23 |
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026 |
I missed my state’s Open Enrollment deadline? Can I still get healthcare coverage?
If you missed the enrollment deadline in your state, it is still possible that you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that will allow you to apply for health insurance. You can qualify for an SEP if you have experienced a qualifying life event.
Qualifying life events can include:24
- The loss of health insurance through a job.
- Household changes such as marriage, divorce, a death in the family, or having a baby.
- A change in your home address.
See a list of qualifying life events. You have 60 days (before or after, depending on the qualifying event) to enroll in a plan, if you qualify for an SEP.25 But, if you miss that 60-day window, you will have to wait until OEP to enroll in an individual health insurance policy for 2026.
Missed the Open Enrollment deadline? Short-term insurance may be an option
If you missed the 2026 Open Enrollment Period in your state and you do not qualify for an SEP, you may be able to apply for a short-term health insurance plan in some states.
- Short-term health insurance coverage can be purchased outside of OEP. The duration can range from 1 month up to nearly three years, depending on your state and the plan.26, 27
- Short-term health insurance plans function as a temporary fit for healthy people, as they will not cover pre-existing conditions, and may be subject to medical underwriting.
- If you do not qualify for an SEP and decide not to apply for a short-term health plan, you will have to wait until Open Enrollment 2027 begins in fall 2026.
HealthMarkets can help you determine whether you qualify for an SEP and find an individual health plan that meets your needs.
- Shop, compare, and enroll in a health plan online or call us to speak with a licensed insurance agent at (866) 254-1588.
References
1. When can you get health insurance? (2025). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
2. States by Marketplace Type (FFM/SBM-FP/SBM) for Plan Year 2025.Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2025). Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/in-person-assisters/training-webinars/training/marketplaces-map Accessed on September 2, 2025.
3. The Marketplace in your state. (2025). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace-in-your-state/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
4. Dates and Deadlines. (2025). Covered California. Retrieved from: https://www.coveredca.com/support/before-you-buy/enrollment-dates-and-deadlines/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
5. Important Dates. (2025). Connect for Health Colorado. Retrieved from: https://www.cohealthinfo.com/i-need-health-insurance/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
6. Annual Open Enrollment Period. (2025). AccessHealth CT. Retrieved from: https://www.accesshealthct.com/annual-open-enrollment/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
7. Get covered. (2025). Georgia Access. Retrieved from: https://georgiaaccess.gov/get-covered Accessed on September 2, 2025.
8. How to enroll. (2025). Your Health Idaho. Retrieved from: https://www.yourhealthidaho.org/apply-and-enroll/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
9. Need health coverage? (2025). Kentucky Health Benefits Exchange. Retrieved from: https://khbe.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx Accessed on September 2, 2025.
10. Health Insurance. (2025). Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved from: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/programs-services/health-insurance Accessed on September 2, 2025.
11. When can I enroll? (2025). Maryland Health Connection. Retrieved from: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/faq/when-can-i-enroll/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
12. Important Dates. (2025). Massachusetts Health Connector. Retrieved from: https://www.mahix.org/individual/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
13. 2025 Health Insurance Rates. (2025). Minnesota Commerce Department. Retrieved from: https://mn.gov/commerce/insurance/health/consumer-protections/rates/approved/2025 Accessed on September 2, 2025.
14. When Can I Enroll? (2025). Nevada Health Link. Retrieved from: https://www.nevadahealthlink.com/get-help/when-to-enroll/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
15. When Can I Buy Health Insurance? (2025). Get Covered NJ. Retrieved from: https://nj.gov/getcoverednj/getstarted/buy/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
16. Need Insurance? A Guide to Understanding Your Enrollment Options. (2025). BeWell. Retrieved from: https://bewellnm.com/blogs/open-enrollment-special-enrollment/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
17. NY State of Health. (2025). NY State of Health. Retrieved from: https://www.nyc.gov/site/ochia/coverage-care/ny-state-of-health.page Accessed on September 2, 2025.
18. Enrolling is Simple. (2025). Pennie. Retrieved from: https://pennie.com/learn/how-to-enroll/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
19. Open Enrollment. (2025). HealthSource RI. Retrieved from: https://healthsourceri.com/oe/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
20. When Can I Get Coverage? (2025). Vermont Health Connect. Retrieved from: https://info.healthconnect.vermont.gov/how-apply Accessed on September 2, 2025.
21. When Can I Enroll in a Health Plan? (2025). Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace. Retrieved from: https://www.marketplace.virginia.gov/faqs Accessed on September 2, 2025.
22. When is Open Enrollment? (2025). D.C. Health Link. Retrieved from: https://www.dchealthlink.com/faqs/when-open-enrollment Accessed on September 2, 2025.
23. When can I buy an individual health plan? (2025). Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Retrieved from: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/when-can-i-buy-individual-health-plan Accessed on September 2, 2025.
24. Get or change coverage outside of Open Enrollment. (2025). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/your-options/ Accessed on September 2, 2025.
25. Special enrollment opportunities. (2025). Healthcare.gov. Retrieved from: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/Accessed on September 2, 2025.
26. Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage (CMS-9904-F) Fact Sheet. (2024). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/short-term-limited-duration-insurance-and-independent-noncoordinated-excepted-benefits-coverage-cms Accessed on September 2, 2025.
27. STATEMENT OF U.S. DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND THE TREASURY REGARDING SHORT-TERM, LIMITED-DURATION INSURANCE. (2025). Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Retrieved from: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/statement-regarding-short-term-limited-duration-insurance.pdf Accessed on September 3, 2025.
