ACA Open Enrollment 2026: Dates, Deadlines, and How to Sign Up

2026 ACA Open Enrollment at a Glance

Open enrollment is the annual window during which you can sign up for an Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance plan, switch to a different plan, or renew your existing coverage. Outside of this period, you generally cannot enroll unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period triggered by a qualifying life event.

For 2026 coverage, the federal marketplace open enrollment period ran from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026. More than 23 million Americans selected marketplace plans during the most recent enrollment cycle, a record-breaking number driven in large part by enhanced premium tax credits that make coverage more affordable for millions of households.

Key Dates and Deadlines

Missing a deadline can mean waiting months for coverage or going without insurance entirely. Here are the dates that matter for the 2026 plan year:

• November 1, 2025: Open enrollment begins. You can start browsing plans, comparing costs, and submitting applications on HealthCare.gov or your state-based marketplace.
• December 15, 2025: Deadline to enroll for coverage starting January 1, 2026. If you want your plan active on the first day of the year, you must complete enrollment by this date.
• January 15, 2026: Final deadline to enroll on HealthCare.gov. Plans selected between December 16 and January 15 have a coverage start date of February 1, 2026.

State-based marketplace deadlines may differ. Several states extend their open enrollment windows beyond January 15. For example, California, New York, and other states with their own exchanges sometimes allow enrollment through January 31 or later. Always check your state exchange website for the most accurate deadline.

How to Enroll on HealthCare.gov

HealthCare.gov is the federally run marketplace serving residents of states that do not operate their own exchange. The enrollment process is straightforward, but having your information organized beforehand makes it significantly faster.

1. Create an account at HealthCare.gov. If you enrolled last year, log in with your existing credentials.
2. Complete the application with your household size, income, and current coverage details. The system uses this information to determine whether you qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or marketplace plans with financial assistance.
3. Compare plans using the plan comparison tools. Filter by metal tier, premium, deductible, provider network, and covered medications.
4. Select your plan and confirm enrollment. You will receive a confirmation with your plan details and coverage start date. Pay your first monthly premium by the due date to activate your coverage.

You can also enroll by calling the marketplace at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325), working with a licensed insurance agent or broker at no cost, or getting free in-person assistance from a Navigator or certified application counselor in your community.

State-Based Marketplaces

If your state operates its own health insurance exchange, you will enroll through that platform rather than HealthCare.gov. State-based marketplaces offer the same ACA-compliant plans and financial assistance, but they may have different enrollment deadlines, website interfaces, and available insurers.

States with their own marketplaces include California (Covered California), Colorado (Connect for Health Colorado), Connecticut (Access Health CT), the District of Columbia (DC Health Link), Idaho (Your Health Idaho), Kentucky (Kynect), Maine (CoverME.gov), Maryland (Maryland Health Connection), Massachusetts (Massachusetts Health Connector), Minnesota (MNsure), Nevada (Nevada Health Link), New Jersey (GetCovered.NJ.gov), New Mexico (beWellnm), New York (NY State of Health), Pennsylvania (Pennie), Rhode Island (HealthSource RI), Vermont (Vermont Health Connect), Virginia (Virginia Insurance Marketplace), and Washington (Washington Healthplanfinder).

If you are unsure which marketplace serves your state, visiting HealthCare.gov will automatically redirect you to your state exchange if applicable.

What You Need to Apply

Having the right documents ready before you start the application will save you time and help ensure your subsidy calculation is accurate. Gather the following before you begin:

• Social Security numbers for every household member who needs coverage
• Your most recent federal tax return, including your adjusted gross income (AGI)
• Projected household income for the 2026 coverage year
• Pay stubs, W-2s, or 1099 forms for all income sources
• Employer and income information for all working household members
• Policy numbers for any current health insurance coverage
• Immigration document information if applicable (for lawfully present non-citizens)

Income Documentation and Why It Matters

Your household income is the single most important factor in determining how much financial assistance you receive. The marketplace uses your estimated income for the coverage year to calculate premium tax credits and determine eligibility for cost-sharing reductions and Medicaid.

Accuracy is critical. If you underestimate your income, you may receive more in tax credits than you are entitled to and have to repay the difference when you file your federal tax return. If you overestimate, you will pay higher premiums than necessary throughout the year, though you will receive the difference as a tax refund.

If you are self-employed, your projected net self-employment income is what matters — revenue minus business expenses. If your income fluctuates, use your best reasonable estimate and update the marketplace if your income changes significantly during the year. Reporting income changes promptly helps you avoid a large tax bill or missed savings.

Choosing a Plan Tier: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum

ACA marketplace plans are organized into four metal tiers based on how costs are shared between you and the insurance company. The tier you choose determines the balance between your monthly premium and your out-of-pocket costs when you use care.

• Bronze (60% actuarial value): Lowest monthly premiums, highest deductibles. Best for healthy people who want protection against worst-case scenarios while keeping monthly costs low.
• Silver (70% actuarial value): The most popular tier and the only one eligible for cost-sharing reductions. Also the benchmark tier used to calculate premium tax credits. A strong choice for most enrollees, especially those with incomes below 250% FPL.
• Gold (80% actuarial value): Higher premiums but significantly lower deductibles and copays. A smart pick if you use healthcare services frequently or take expensive medications.
• Platinum (90% actuarial value): Highest premiums, lowest cost-sharing. Deductibles are often zero or near-zero. Not available in every market. Best for people with significant, predictable healthcare needs.

When comparing plans, do not focus solely on the monthly premium. Calculate the total estimated annual cost by adding 12 months of premiums plus the deductible plus expected copays and coinsurance. A plan with a slightly higher premium but a much lower deductible can save you thousands if you need care.

Premium Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions

The ACA provides two types of financial assistance that can dramatically reduce what you pay for health insurance: premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.

Premium Tax Credits

Premium tax credits lower your monthly premium on a sliding scale based on income. They are available to individuals and families with household incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Under the enhanced subsidies extended through the Inflation Reduction Act, people with incomes above 400% FPL can also qualify if their benchmark plan premium would exceed 8.5% of household income.

You can take the credit in advance, which reduces your monthly premium payment directly, or claim the full credit when you file your federal tax return. Most people choose the advance option so they benefit from lower costs throughout the year.

Cost-Sharing Reductions

Cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) lower your deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums. They are only available if you choose a Silver plan and your household income is between 100% and 250% FPL.

• 100% to 150% FPL: Your Silver plan is enhanced to approximately 94% actuarial value — better than Platinum. Deductibles can drop to $0 with out-of-pocket maximums as low as $1,300.
• 150% to 200% FPL: Enhanced to approximately 87% actuarial value with significantly reduced deductibles and out-of-pocket costs.
• 200% to 250% FPL: Enhanced to approximately 73% actuarial value with more modest but still meaningful reductions.

Important: If you qualify for cost-sharing reductions, you must choose a Silver plan to receive them. Selecting a Bronze, Gold, or Platinum plan means forfeiting these savings entirely.

Special Enrollment Periods

If you missed open enrollment, you may still be able to get coverage through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). SEPs allow you to enroll outside the standard window if you experience a qualifying life event. You generally have 60 days from the event to sign up.

Qualifying life events include:

• Losing existing health coverage (job loss, COBRA expiration, aging off a parent's plan at 26)
• Getting married or divorced
• Having a baby, adopting a child, or placing a child for foster care
• Moving to a new zip code or county with different plan options
• Losing Medicaid or CHIP eligibility
• Becoming a U.S. citizen or gaining lawful presence
• Experiencing a change in household income that affects Medicaid eligibility

Voluntarily dropping your coverage does not qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. You will generally need to provide documentation verifying your qualifying event when you apply.

What Happens If You Miss Open Enrollment

If you miss both the open enrollment deadline and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you will not be able to purchase an ACA marketplace plan until the next open enrollment period begins in November. During that gap, you will be uninsured unless you have another source of coverage.

Being uninsured means you are fully responsible for all medical costs. While there is no longer a federal tax penalty for going without coverage, several states — including California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia — impose their own penalties that can cost hundreds of dollars.

If you find yourself without coverage, there are a few alternatives to explore:

• Medicaid: If your income drops low enough, you can apply for Medicaid year-round. In states that expanded Medicaid, adults with incomes up to 138% FPL qualify.
• CHIP: The Children's Health Insurance Program covers children in families with incomes too high for Medicaid. You can apply year-round.
• COBRA: If you recently lost employer-sponsored coverage, COBRA lets you continue that plan for up to 18 months, though you pay the full premium plus a 2% administrative fee.
• Short-term health insurance: These plans provide temporary coverage but are not ACA-compliant, meaning they can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions and do not count toward state mandate requirements.

Auto-Renewal: Why You Should Not Set It and Forget It

If you are already enrolled in a marketplace plan and do not take any action during open enrollment, the marketplace will automatically renew your coverage for the following year. On the surface, this sounds convenient. In practice, it can cost you money.

Here is why auto-renewal can be risky:

• Premiums change every year. Your plan's premium may increase, but a different plan in your area may now be cheaper for the same or better coverage.
• Provider networks change. Your doctor or preferred hospital may no longer be in your plan's network for the new year.
• Drug formularies change. A medication you take may be moved to a higher cost tier or removed from the formulary entirely.
• Your subsidy amount may shift. Premium tax credits are recalculated each year based on updated benchmark premiums and your income. If you do not update your income information, your subsidy may be too high or too low.

The best practice is to log in to the marketplace every year during open enrollment, update your household and income information, and actively compare all available plans. Even if you ultimately stay with the same plan, taking 30 minutes to review your options can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the course of the year.

The Bottom Line

Open enrollment is the single most important window in the ACA calendar. It is your annual opportunity to get covered, change plans, and make sure you are receiving every dollar of financial assistance available to you. For 2026 coverage, the federal marketplace deadline was January 15, 2026, though some state exchanges offered extended timelines.

If you are currently uninsured and missed the deadline, check whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or for Medicaid. If you are already enrolled, make it a habit to review your plan each year rather than relying on auto-renewal. The marketplace was designed to give you choices — take advantage of them.