Is Open Enrollment Extended? A State-By-State Guide

You can't sign up for individual health insurance whenever you want. For Health Insurance Marketplace coverage, there's typically one window of time to sign up, known as the Open Enrollment (OE) period. During this annual enrollment window, you can purchase a new health insurance plan or make changes to your current one.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services¹ (CMS) reported that 23.1 million individuals selected or reenrolled in health coverage through HealthCare.gov and state-based exchanges during the 2026 OE Period, down from 24.3 million in 2025.

While most of the country follows the same OE time frame, several states extend their annual enrollment period. This allows more people in those states to sign up for health plans.

It's important to note that OE rules for the 2027 coverage year remain subject to ongoing legal proceedings². In June 2026, a federal court vacated³ a federal rule that would have shortened and limited OE periods beginning with the 2027 coverage year. That decision is currently being appealed, meaning enrollment deadlines could still change. For now, OE will follow the traditional schedule, but consumers should confirm enrollment dates with their state's official insurance marketplace before enrolling.

In this article, we'll share the states with extended OE windows. We'll also explain how you can secure coverage if you miss the initial enrollment period.

In this blog post, you'll learn:

• Why the OE period exists.
• Which states offer extended OE periods beyond the standard federal timeline.
• The life-changing events that qualify you for a special enrollment period (SEP).

When can you get health insurance?

Following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the federal government introduced Open Enrollment and public health insurance exchanges. Open Enrollment is an annual enrollment window for Americans to sign up, renew, or change their health insurance plans. This stops people from buying coverage only when they're sick to save money on out-of-pocket costs.

In most states that use the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, OE begins on November 1 and ends on January 15. Some state-based Marketplaces also offer extended OE periods, giving residents additional time to enroll in or change their health coverage.

A 2025 federal rule aimed to end federal OE periods on December 15 instead. While the legal appeals process on 2026 Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage is ongoing, aim to enroll by December 15, 2026, and check your state's Marketplace website for the latest deadline.

Coverage is effective January 1 if you enroll by your Marketplace's applicable deadline and pay your first monthly premium. Some Marketplaces may have different deadlines for January 1 coverage, so be sure to check your state's annual enrollment schedule.

Where can you purchase a health insurance plan?

When deciding on a health plan, you have several coverage options to explore. You can choose to shop for individual or family health coverage on either a public or private exchange. Health insurance companies, licensed brokers, or insurance agents run the private exchanges. Public exchanges consist of both federal and state Marketplaces.

When comparing plans, focus on coverage that matches your needs and budget. Compare the coverage level, provider networks, and monthly premiums of each policy.

Depending on your income and household size, you may qualify for federal premium subsidies, also known as premium tax credits. This financial assistance can help offset the cost of health insurance premiums for Marketplace plans. If you want to take advantage of any premium tax credits you may be eligible for, you must shop for coverage on a public exchange.

When you select a plan, regardless of the exchange, you must make a binder payment to ensure your coverage goes active. Failing to pay your first premium before the policy goes into effect can result in the policy's cancellation. For example, while 23.1 million individuals selected a plan for 2026, KFF reports⁴ that only 19.2 million people had effectuated enrollment, meaning they paid their premiums and have active coverage.

States with extended Open Enrollment windows

Several state-based Marketplaces offer longer OE periods than the federally facilitated Marketplace. If you live in one of these states⁵, you may have additional time to enroll in or change your health coverage.

Note: OE dates may change. A federal court vacated a proposed rule affecting the 2027 OE period, and the case is now on appeal. Before enrolling, confirm your state's Open Enrollment dates through its official Marketplace.

States with shorter Open Enrollment windows

There are also some states with shorter enrollment windows than the federal standard of November 1 to January 15. Some of these states may have adjusted their OE schedules in response to proposed federal changes.

What happens if you miss the deadline for Open Enrollment?

If something unexpected happens, you can still avoid a lapse in healthcare coverage. A special enrollment period (SEP) allows you to make changes to your health insurance outside of the initial enrollment period due to qualifying life events.

Here are some of the life-changing events that trigger special enrollment opportunities:

• Loss of health insurance coverage. When you lose employer-sponsored coverage, student health plan coverage, or eligibility for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), it's a loss in coverage. Aging out of your parent's plan at 26 means losing dependent status and access to their plan. If your current coverage or individual marketplace plan is no longer available, you also qualify for an SEP.
• Offer of a new health benefit. If your employer offers a new health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), such as an individual coverage HRA (ICHRA) or qualified small employer HRA (QSEHRA), you may qualify for a SEP that allows you to enroll in Marketplace coverage outside the annual OE period.
• Changes in the household. This includes getting married, having a baby, adopting, or placing a child in foster care. Divorce or legal separation that results in loss of coverage also qualifies. If a family member dies and you lose coverage, that counts as a household change. Keep in mind that rules for domestic partnership situations differ by state.
• Changes in residence. Relocating can count as a qualifying life event. This includes moving to a new rating area (you’ll use your ZIP code to verify this) or to the United States from another country or U.S. territory. Students moving to or from where they attend school can also enroll or change their health coverage. Seasonal workers who move to or from their place of residence and work are also eligible.

If you missed enrolling due to a natural disaster or emergency, you may also qualify for a special enrollment opportunity. For example, during the COVID-19 public health emergency, people could apply for health coverage outside of OE.

Conclusion

For now, the 2027 OE will follow the traditional enrollment schedule while litigation over the proposed federal rule continues. Several state-run Marketplaces also continue to offer extended Open Enrollment periods, giving residents additional time to compare plans and enroll in health coverage.

If you miss your state's deadline, you may still qualify for a SEP due to a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or becoming eligible for an employer-sponsored HRA.

Because OE deadlines could change while the legal challenge is pending, check your state's official Marketplace website for the most up-to-date enrollment information before signing up for coverage.

This article was originally published on August 27, 2024. It was last updated on August 6, 2026.

References

1. CMS.gov: Exchange Coverage Remains Near Record High as 23.1 Million Enroll in 2026
2. HMFA: Judge blocks key ACA marketplace rule provisions for 2027
   
3. Health Care Litigation Tracker: Civil No. 25-2114-BAH
4. KFF: How Has ACA Marketplace Enrollment Changed Across States in 2026?
   
5. Healthinsurance.org: What are the deadlines for the ACA’s open enrollment period?
6. Covered California: Covered California Rates and Plans for 2027: California Continues Fight for Health Insurance Affordability and Access
   
7. Massachusetts Health Connector: When is Open Enrollment and when do Health Connector plans start?
8. NJ.gov: NJ Department of Banking and Insurance Announces Grant Opportunity forCommunity Organizations to Help New Jerseyans Enroll in Health Coverage
9. Access HealthCT: Access Health CT Announces 2027 Open Enrollment Dates
10. Marylandhbe.com: Maryland Health Benefit Exchange Board of Trustees
11. Healthcare.oregon.gov: Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Advisory Committee Meeting
12. Vermont Health Connect: Health Insurance Changes: Stay informed!