When Is Open Enrollment for 2026?
The 2026 Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for ACA marketplace health insurance runs from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026. Plans selected by December 15, 2025 take effect January 1, 2026. Plans selected between December 16 and January 15 take effect February 1, 2026.
Key Deadlines
- November 1, 2025: Open Enrollment begins. You can shop, compare, and enroll.
- December 15, 2025: Deadline to enroll for January 1, 2026 coverage start.
- January 15, 2026: Open Enrollment closes. Last day to enroll for 2026 coverage (February 1 start).
What Changed for 2026?
The enhanced ACA subsidies that expanded eligibility since 2021 remain in effect for 2026. Households earning above 400% FPL can still receive subsidies if their benchmark Silver plan premium exceeds 8.5% of household income. This means many middle-income households that previously did not qualify for subsidies now do.
Premium benchmark rates are recalculated each year by state and county. Even if your income did not change, your subsidy amount may have changed due to carrier rate adjustments in your area. Always re-shop during Open Enrollment rather than auto-renewing without checking.
Should You Switch Plans?
You should review your plan every year during Open Enrollment. Carriers change networks, formularies, and premiums annually. Your cheapest option this year may not be your cheapest option next year. Key things to check:
- Are your doctors still in-network on your current plan?
- Are your prescriptions still covered at the same tier?
- Has your income changed in a way that affects your subsidy eligibility?
- Have new carriers entered your market offering better rates?
What If You Miss Open Enrollment?
After January 15, 2026, you can only enroll in a marketplace plan if you experience a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Common qualifying events include losing job-based coverage, getting married, having a baby, moving to a new state, and gaining or losing a dependent.
Medicaid has no enrollment period, if you qualify based on income, you can apply and enroll year-round.
State-Run Exchanges: Different Deadlines
Some states run their own health insurance exchanges with different Open Enrollment deadlines. States with extended enrollment windows include California (January 31), New York (January 31), and Massachusetts (January 23). If you live in a state with its own exchange, check your state's specific deadline rather than assuming the federal January 15 cutoff applies.
States using their own exchanges include California (Covered California), Colorado (Connect for Health Colorado), Massachusetts (Health Connector), Minnesota (MNsure), New York (NY State of Health), Washington (Washington Healthplanfinder), and several others. Most other states, including Florida, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina, and Ohio, use the federal marketplace at healthcare.gov.
How to Prepare Before Open Enrollment Starts
The best time to prepare is October, before November 1. Here is what to gather in advance:
- Income estimate for the coming year: Your subsidy is based on projected income, not last year's income. If you are self-employed, estimate your net income after business deductions. If your income will change, update it promptly.
- Current provider list: Know which doctors, specialists, and hospitals you want to keep in-network before comparing plans. Network changes are common year to year.
- Current prescription list: Check that your medications are covered at the same tier on any plan you consider switching to.
- Current plan details: Know your current premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum so you have a baseline for comparison.
Working with a Broker During Open Enrollment
A licensed independent broker can pull every plan available in your ZIP code, compare them side by side, check your provider networks, verify drug formularies, and calculate your exact subsidy, all at no cost to you. Carriers pay brokers regardless of whether you use one, so broker services are free to the consumer.
Brokers are especially useful during Open Enrollment because plan options, networks, and subsidy amounts change every year. What was the right plan last year may not be the right plan this year. Call (713) 575-9904 to get a comparison before the deadline.