Open Enrollment 2027 Overview

What is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment is the annual period when you can enroll in a health insurance plan for 2027. During this time, you can apply for new coverage, renew your current plan, or make changes to an existing plan. 

Keep in mind, outside of Open Enrollment, you can’t enroll or change your health plan unless you have a  qualifying life event.

When does 2027 Open Enrollment start and end?

For most people, Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.

• Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.
• Enroll from December 16 through January 15, and coverage starts February 1, 2027.

Some states run their own exchange with different dates, so please check the list below.

Best to shop and pick a plan early so you don’t miss an important enrollment deadline.

Our recommendation: complete your enrollment at least a week before the date you want coverage to start. Enrollments finished right at a deadline sometimes hit snags, even on HealthCare.gov, and those snags can push the start date back a month. A week of breathing room gives you and our team time to sort them out.

States with different dates

If your state isn’t listed here, the dates above apply. That includes Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington, which run their own exchanges on the standard dates.

• Idaho (Your Health Idaho): October 15 – December 15, 2026. Open Enrollment ends December 15, so enroll by then for January 1 coverage.
• Connecticut (Access Health CT): October 23, 2026 – January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage.
• Massachusetts (MA Health Connector): October 23, 2026 – January 23, 2027. Enroll by December 23 for January 1 coverage.
• Maryland (Maryland Health Connection): November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 31 for January 1 coverage.
• New Jersey (Get Covered NJ): November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027. Enroll by December 31 for January 1 coverage.
• California (Covered California): November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027. Enroll by December 31 for January 1 coverage.
• District of Columbia (DC Health Link), New York (NY State of Health) and Rhode Island (HealthSource RI): November 1, 2026 – January 31, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage.
• Virginia (Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace): November 1, 2026 – January 29, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage.

After the January 1 deadline, coverage starts on the 1st of a later month. In most states, enroll by the 15th of the month before. In Massachusetts it’s the 23rd, and in New Jersey it’s the last day of the month before.

See every state in one table: Open Enrollment 2027 State FAQ.

Remind employees to confirm their address

When employees start their 2027 renewal in StretchDollar (from November 1), the first step asks them to confirm their information, including their home address. If an employee has moved, this is when they can update it themselves. Their address decides which 2027 plans they see. See Why don’t I see any plans for 2027?

What if I miss the Open Enrollment period?

If you miss Open Enrollment, you can only get coverage if you have a qualifying life event. Examples include getting married, losing other health coverage, or being offered an ICHRA (like through StretchDollar!). If you miss Open Enrollment, please reach out to us to understand your enrollment options.