What’s the 2026 Deadline for Open Enrollment? Can I Enroll Outside the Enrollment Period?

The new "Special" Open Enrollment period for ACA health insurance in 2026 run through January 15, 2026. If you miss the open enrollment period, the annual open enrollment period begins November 1st - December 15th for ACA Open Enrollment for a January 1st, 2026 start date .

Healthcare.gov Open Enrollment Deadlines:

• November 1, 2025: Open Enrollment begins. Apply for or change your coverage.
  
  
• December 15, 2025: Deadline in order to have coverage that begins on January 1, 2026.
  
  
• January 15, 2026: Deadline in order to have coverage that begins on February 1, 2026.

If You Miss the January 15th Deadline 

Options for getting covered outside of open enrollment include qualifying for a special enrollment period (which can extend the time you can use the marketplace), Medicaid, CHIP, short term health insurance, and other insurance types. Please contact us if you have any questions or need to enroll outside of open enrollment.