When can I enroll in Marketplace health plan coverage?

In general, you can only enroll in Marketplace health plan coverage during the Open Enrollment period. For 2026 coverage, the Open Enrollment period in Healthcare.gov states begins November 1, 2025 and closes at the end of the day on January 15, 2026. The following states have different Open Enrollment end dates:

• Idaho: December 15
• Massachusetts: January 23
• Virginia: January 30
• California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and D.C.: January 31

If you plan to sign up, be sure to complete your application and select your plan before Open Enrollment ends. In HealthCare.gov states, individuals wanting their coverage to take effect on January 1, 2026 should sign up no later than December 15, 2025. If you sign up after December 15, your 2026 coverage will take effect on February 1, 2026. These dates may differ for state-based Marketplaces. If you live in one of these states, check with your state Marketplace for more information.

Once the Open Enrollment period is over, most individuals and families will not be able to enroll in Marketplace health plans until the next Open Enrollment period. However, if you experience certain changes during the year, you will have an opportunity to enroll in Marketplace health plans outside of the Open Enrollment Period during what is called a special enrollment period.

Note that American Indians and Alaska Natives can also enroll in Marketplace coverage throughout the year, not just during Open Enrollment.