Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

The Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is the once-a-year window when anyone in the United States can sign up for a new ACA Marketplace plan, switch plans, or renew their existing plan, no qualifying event required.

OEP for 2027 coverage (the next big window)

For coverage that starts in 2027, OEP runs from November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027 in most states using HealthCare.gov.

If you enroll by…	Coverage starts
December 15, 2026	January 1, 2027
December 16, 2026 – January 15, 2027	February 1, 2027

Plan for the December 15 deadline. Enrolling by then gives you the most coverage time and lets you correct any mistakes before January.

State-run Marketplaces with different windows

Some state-based Marketplaces extend their windows further. The most common variations:

• Covered California: typically through January 31
• NY State of Health: typically through January 31
• DC HealthLink: typically through January 31
• Massachusetts Health Connector: typically through January 23
• Pennie (Pennsylvania): typically through January 15 (federal default)

Check your state’s specific deadline. They shift year to year.

What you can do during OEP

• Enroll for the first time
• Switch from one Marketplace plan to another (different carrier, different metal tier, different network)
• Add or remove household members
• Update your projected income (which adjusts your APTC)
• Re-verify your eligibility documents
• Compare new plans without obligation

What happens if you miss OEP

If you do not enroll during OEP, you generally have to wait for the next OEP unless you have a qualifying life event. See Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Medicaid and CHIP accept applications year-round. These are not bound by OEP. If your income is low and you might qualify for Medicaid (rules vary by state), you can apply anytime.

Plan changes that auto-renew

If you do nothing during OEP, your current plan usually auto-renews at the new year’s pricing. Three reasons to actively re-shop during OEP rather than auto-renew:

1. Your benchmark plan price probably changed. Your APTC is recalculated against the new benchmark: your monthly out-of-pocket could swing meaningfully.
2. New plans may be available in your county.
3. Your old plan may have been discontinued and the auto-renewal could land you on a worse plan than you would pick fresh.

Even if you ultimately keep your current plan, log in during OEP and verify.

Hispanic enrollment patterns and timing

Latino enrollment historically peaks in the last 2 weeks of OEP (late December and early January). The result is predictable: long wait times for licensed agents, slower call-back times, and last-minute errors that lead to wrong-plan enrollment or missed subsidy. Enroll in the first half of November to avoid the crunch. The plan you pick is the same; the experience is materially better.

Related terms

• Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
• APTC

Talk to a bilingual agent, start your OEP enrollment with a licensed bilingual professional, free.