Tool

How & When to Enroll

2026 plan year · Updated September 2025

Two things decide whether you can sign up for a health plan right now: the time of year, and the right website for your state. Here is both.

The short version

You can enroll in a Marketplace (ACA) health plan during Open Enrollment each fall and winter, or after a qualifying life event through a Special Enrollment Period. Most states enroll through HealthCare.gov; 20 states and Washington, D.C., run their own site. Find your state below to get to the right one.

When you can enroll

For most people, health plans can only be bought during Open Enrollment, a set window each fall and winter for coverage that starts the following year. On HealthCare.gov the schedule usually looks like this:

Milestone What it means
November 1 Open Enrollment opens — the first day you can enroll in, renew, or change a plan for the coming year.
December 15 Enroll by this date for coverage that starts January 1.
Mid-January Open Enrollment usually closes. Enroll after December 15 and coverage typically starts February 1. Some years the window is shorter.

Dates can change year to year, and state-run Marketplaces often set their own (sometimes later) deadlines. Always confirm the current window on HealthCare.gov or your state’s Marketplace.

Missed the window? Special Enrollment

Outside Open Enrollment, you can usually only sign up if you have a qualifying life event. That opens a Special Enrollment Period, typically 60 days from the event, including:

  • Losing other health coverage (a job change, aging off a parent’s plan, losing Medicaid)
  • Moving to a new area or state
  • Getting married or divorced
  • Having a baby or adopting a child
  • Certain changes in income or household size

Medicaid and CHIP are different: there is no enrollment deadline, and you can apply any time of year.

Where to enroll: find your state

Most states enroll through HealthCare.gov, but 20 states and Washington, D.C., run their own Marketplace with a separate website. Find your state to go straight to the right official site.

Enroll at HealthCare.gov →
Alabama — enroll at HealthCare.gov AL Alaska — enroll at HealthCare.gov AK Arizona — enroll at HealthCare.gov AZ Arkansas — enroll at HealthCare.gov AR California — enroll at Covered California CA Colorado — enroll at Connect for Health Colorado CO Connecticut — enroll at Access Health CT CT Delaware — enroll at HealthCare.gov DE District of Columbia — enroll at DC Health Link DC Florida — enroll at HealthCare.gov FL Georgia — enroll at Georgia Access GA Hawaii — enroll at HealthCare.gov HI Idaho — enroll at Your Health Idaho ID Illinois — enroll at Get Covered Illinois IL Indiana — enroll at HealthCare.gov IN Iowa — enroll at HealthCare.gov IA Kansas — enroll at HealthCare.gov KS Kentucky — enroll at Kynect KY Louisiana — enroll at HealthCare.gov LA Maine — enroll at CoverME.gov ME Maryland — enroll at Maryland Health Connection MD Massachusetts — enroll at Massachusetts Health Connector MA Michigan — enroll at HealthCare.gov MI Minnesota — enroll at MNSure MN Mississippi — enroll at HealthCare.gov MS Missouri — enroll at HealthCare.gov MO Montana — enroll at HealthCare.gov MT Nebraska — enroll at HealthCare.gov NE Nevada — enroll at Nevada Health Link NV New Hampshire — enroll at HealthCare.gov NH New Jersey — enroll at Get Covered NJ NJ New Mexico — enroll at BeWellNM NM New York — enroll at NY State of Health NY North Carolina — enroll at HealthCare.gov NC North Dakota — enroll at HealthCare.gov ND Ohio — enroll at HealthCare.gov OH Oklahoma — enroll at HealthCare.gov OK Oregon — enroll at HealthCare.gov OR Pennsylvania — enroll at Pennie PA Rhode Island — enroll at HealthSourceRI RI South Carolina — enroll at HealthCare.gov SC South Dakota — enroll at HealthCare.gov SD Tennessee — enroll at HealthCare.gov TN Texas — enroll at HealthCare.gov TX Utah — enroll at HealthCare.gov UT Vermont — enroll at Vermont Health Connect VT Virginia — enroll at Virginia's Insurance Marketplace VA Washington — enroll at Washington HealthPlanFinder WA West Virginia — enroll at HealthCare.gov WV Wisconsin — enroll at HealthCare.gov WI Wyoming — enroll at HealthCare.gov WY Uses HealthCare.gov Runs its own Marketplace

States that run their own Marketplace

Every other state (and most people) enrolls through HealthCare.gov.

Marketplace details reflect the 2026 plan year. Enrollment dates for the coming year are set each fall; confirm the current window on your state’s site or HealthCare.gov.

What you need to apply

Have these ready to make enrollment quick:

  • Household size and everyone who is on your tax return
  • Your best estimate of next year’s household income
  • Social Security numbers (and document numbers for any legal immigrants)
  • Employer and income information for your household
  • Details of any health coverage you can already get

Before you pick a plan, it helps to know two numbers: how much financial help you qualify for, and what a plan really costs over a year. Try the Subsidy Estimator, and read how health insurance costs work so you compare plans on total cost, not just premium.

Frequently asked questions

When is Open Enrollment for health insurance?

Open Enrollment for Marketplace (ACA) coverage runs each fall into winter for plans that start the following year. On HealthCare.gov it typically opens November 1; enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. Several state-run Marketplaces set their own, sometimes later, dates. Confirm the current year’s window on HealthCare.gov or your state Marketplace.

I missed Open Enrollment. Can I still get coverage?

Possibly. If you have a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby, you can enroll during a Special Enrollment Period, usually within 60 days of the event. Medicaid and CHIP have no enrollment deadline; you can apply any time.

Do I enroll on HealthCare.gov or my state’s website?

It depends on your state. Most states use HealthCare.gov, but 20 states and Washington, D.C., run their own Marketplace with a separate website. Use the state finder on this page to go to the right official site for where you live.

How do I know if I qualify for financial help?

Most people who buy their own coverage qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers the monthly cost. Try the Subsidy Estimator to see roughly how much help you may get before you enroll.

This page is for education and planning, not a quote or legal advice. Enrollment dates and eligibility are set by HealthCare.gov and state Marketplaces.