Key Open Enrollment dates: when to sign up for the ACA Marketplace

Updated October 2026 · 4 min read

The ACA Marketplace (also known as Obamacare) isn't open for enrollment year-round. Outside the enrollment window, you can only sign up if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Here are the dates to keep on your calendar.

Federal Open Enrollment dates (2027 coverage)

• November 1, 2026: Open Enrollment begins
• December 15, 2026: Open Enrollment ends in states that use Healthcare.gov
• January 1, 2027: coverage starts for every plan chosen during Open Enrollment

If your state runs its own Marketplace, confirm the dates

This year the window is shorter than before: it no longer runs through January 15. Some states run their own state-based Marketplace instead of using Healthcare.gov and may set a later deadline, but never after December 31. If you're not sure which applies to you, confirm directly with a licensed advisor in your state before assuming a deadline.

What happens if you miss the deadline

You're not automatically out of options for the rest of the year. Certain life events (losing your current coverage, moving, getting married, having a child, among others) open a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. We cover this in more detail in this article on Special Enrollment Periods.