2026 Open Enrollment was extended to January 15th. Who does this apply to?

We didn’t expect an extension to Open Enrollment, but on December 23, CMS (the federal agency that oversees the Marketplace) announced one.

What does this mean for you? 

You can still shop for a health plan until January 15 (for most states) to enroll in a plan that will start on February 1.

What about a January 1 start date?

Unfortunately, the deadline for a January 1 plan has already passed. But February is just around the corner!  If you're interested in a short-term plan to bridge a cap in coverage, contact your broker and they can help you out. (Note: Some states do not allow short-term health insurance plans.)

If you live in one of the following states, you have a different deadline to secure a health plan that starts on February 1, 2026:

• California (Covered CA): Enroll by Jan 31 for 2/1/26 coverage
• Massachusetts (MA Health Connector): Enroll by Jan 23 for 2/1/26 coverage  
• Rhode Island (Health Source RI): Enroll by Jan 31 for 2/1/26 coverage
• Virginia (VA's Insurance Marketplace): Enroll by Jan 31 for 2/1/26 coverage

If you live in one of the following states, your open enrollment deadline has passed:

• New Jersey (Get Covered NJ): Enroll by Dec 31 for 1/1/26 coverage
• Pennsylvania ( Pennie): Enroll by Dec 31 for 1/1/26 coverage