How Do I Prepare For Open Enrollment for 2027?

It is never too early to prepare for open enrollment, the annual window for selecting and switching your coverage. Here are tips to help you choose the best plan and what to do once you have.

Before you go shopping

• Set a budget.
• Determine your household’s eligibility for financial assistance.
• Gather information about the people in your household.

As you shop

• List the doctors your family uses and check each plan’s provider network.
• List the prescriptions your family takes regularly and check how the plans cover them.
• Decide when you want your plan to start. If you enroll by December 15 you will have a guaranteed effective date of January 1, 2027. If you enroll by January 15, 2027, your effective date is February 1, 2027.

After you’ve enrolled

• Pay your first premium. Your plan won’t go into effect until you do.
• Learn your coverage. Once your plan begins, log in to your member portal to review benefits, find a doctor or hospital in network and print a temporary ID card.

On HealthCare.gov, open enrollment runs from November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Some state exchanges run longer. If you miss the window, you may have to wait until next year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.