Dates & Deadlines for 2027 Health Insurance

Open Enrollment for 2027 health plans starts November 1, 2026.

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Important dates to note:

November 1st, 2026: Open Enrollment starts — first day you can enroll, re-enroll, or change a 2027 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Coverage can start as soon as January 1, 2027.

December 15th, 2026: Last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1, 2027.

January 15th, 2027: Last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start February 1st, 2027.

Shop 2027 Plans

Need 2027 coverage outside of open enrollment?

You can still get health coverage if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a qualifying life event — like getting married, losing other coverage, or having a baby. Find out if you qualify.

Apply for a Special Enrollment Period

Don’t qualify for a special enrollment period? Need less coverage? We’ve got you covered. 

Short Term Coverage

Apply for a short-term plan for the part of the rest of the year, or start one on January 1st. These plans are less expensive than many individual ACA plans but do not cover some of the essential health benefits such as maternity coverage. These plans are your best option if you don’t currently qualify for a special enrollment period.

Catastrophic Health Plan Quotes

Medicaid & CHIP – apply any time

There’s no limited enrollment period for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can apply any time.

Is there a penalty for not having health insurance in 2027?

There is no federal tax penalty for going without coverage. It has been $0 since 2019. A handful of states still have their own individual mandate and may fine you at tax time if you are uninsured:

• California
• District of Columbia
• Massachusetts
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island
• Vermont

Some state exchanges run longer or shorter enrollment windows than HealthCare.gov. Talk with an agent to confirm the deadline in your state.