Compare 2026 health insurance plans in Ohio
Key takeaways
- Most US states (but not all) follow the standard healthcare insurance Open Enrollment Period (OEP) — often called Obamacare Open Enrollment or Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment — which is November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 for the upcoming enrollment period.
*If you live in one of the states that follow the national OEP schedule and sign up by December 15, your coverage starts January 1, 2027. If you sign up between December 16 and January 15, your coverage starts February 1, 2027. - Some states give you more time. A few states extend Open Enrollment into late January. For 2027 Open Enrollment, these include California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
- Idaho, Connecticut and Massachusetts start Open Enrollment earlier this year. The state of Idaho opens their 2027 Open Enrollment Period on October 15, and Connecticut and Massachusetts start theirs on October 23rd.
What is Open Enrollment?
Open Enrollment is the yearly period when individuals and families can enroll in an Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance plan, switch plans, or make changes to their current coverage. If you miss this window, you usually have to wait until the next year to enroll or change a plan — unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) because of a major life event, like getting married, having a baby, or losing other coverage.
For 2027 coverage, Open Enrollment runs from November 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027, in most states. Missing it can leave you without coverage or stuck in a plan that no longer fits your needs.
This period is often called:
• Obamacare Open Enrollment
• Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment
• Healthcare Marketplace Enrollment
They all refer to the same thing — the time each year when you can shop for ACA-compliant plans (with help from subsidies if you qualify).
How Open Enrollment Works
Once you understand the overall healthcare insurance Open Enrollment Period, the next step is figuring out the exact timeline for your state. Many states use the federal Marketplace — also known as the Health Insurance Marketplace run by the federal government. It’s a centralized system that sets the standard national schedule for Open Enrollment.
Other states run their own state-based Marketplaces, which means they manage the enrollment process locally and can choose slightly different deadlines.
For the 2027 plan year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) groups states into three Marketplace types to help you better understand your state’s enrollment process:
- Federally facilitated Marketplaces
- State-based Marketplaces that use the federal platform
- State-based Marketplaces with their own enrollment platforms
States by Marketplace Type for 2027 OEP
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, States by Marketplace Type for Plan Year 2027.
Federally facilitated Marketplaces
In a federally facilitated Marketplace state, the federal government operates the health insurance Marketplace and consumers can use HealthCare.gov to apply for and manage Marketplace coverage.
The 27 federally facilitated Marketplace states for 2027 coverage are:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
State-based Marketplaces using the federal platform
Some states manage certain Marketplace functions at the state level while relying on the federal HealthCare.gov platform for eligibility and enrollment. These are known as state-based Marketplaces using the federal platform.
For 2027, the two state-based Marketplaces using the federal platform are: Arkansas and Oklahoma
From a consumer’s perspective, these states work much like federally facilitated Marketplace states because residents can still use HealthCare.gov and follow its Open Enrollment schedule.
State-based Marketplaces
A fully state-based Marketplace operates its own enrollment platform rather than using HealthCare.gov. These states may establish Open Enrollment dates that differ from the federal schedule.
The 21 states and the District of Columbia with state-based Marketplaces for 2027 are:
California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Tip: Know your enrollment options
You may not have to enroll directly through HealthCare.gov or your state’s Marketplace website. Depending on where you live and which plans are available, you can get help comparing and enrolling in individual and family health insurance through a licensed insurance broker or approved enrollment partner such as eHealth.
At a glance: Open Enrollment 2027 dates by state
The deadline for enrolling in coverage that begins January 1 or February 1 varies by Marketplace. The following dates apply to ACA individual and family health insurance for the 2027 plan year.
| Marketplace type or state | States | 2027 Open Enrollment | Enroll by for January 1 coverage | Enroll by for February 1 coverage |
| Federally facilitated Marketplaces | Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming | Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Jan. 15, 2027 |
| State-based Marketplaces using the federal platform | Arkansas and Oklahoma | Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Jan. 15, 2027 |
| State-based Marketplaces | Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota and Pennsylvania | Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Jan. 15, 2027 |
| State-based Marketplaces | Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington | Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | Dec. 31, 2026 | Jan. 15, 2027 |
| California and New Jersey — state-based Marketplaces | California and New Jersey | Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Dec. 31, 2026 | Jan. 31, 2027 |
| District of Columbia and New York — state-based Marketplaces | District of Columbia and New York | Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Jan. 15, 2027 |
| Connecticut — state-based Marketplace | Connecticut | Oct. 23, 2026 – Jan. 15, 2027 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Jan. 15, 2027 |
| Idaho — state-based Marketplace | Idaho | Oct. 15–Dec. 15, 2026 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Not available during Open Enrollment |
| Massachusetts — state-based Marketplace | Massachusetts | Oct. 23, 2026 – Jan. 23, 2027 | Dec. 23, 2026 | Jan. 23, 2027 |
| Rhode Island — state-based Marketplace | Rhode Island | Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027 | Dec. 23, 2026* | Jan. 31, 2027* |
| Vermont — state-based Marketplace | Vermont | Nov. 1 – Dec. 28, 2026 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Dec. 28, 2026 |
| Virginia — state-based Marketplace | Virginia | Nov. 1, 2026 – Jan. 29, 2027 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Jan. 15, 2027** |
* Rhode Island consumers must enroll and pay by the applicable deadline.
** Virginia’s Marketplace remains open through January 29. Consumers enrolling after the February 1 coverage deadline may receive a later coverage start date.
Coverage does not take effect until the required first premium is paid. Dates are based on federal and state Marketplace information available as of September 18, 2026 and may change. Consumers should confirm their deadline and effective date with their Marketplace or enrollment partner before enrolling.
FAQs on 2027 healthcare insurance Open Enrollment
Now let’s dig into some commonly asked questions when it comes to yearly health insurance Open Enrollment, so you can be prepared:
As long as you submit your application by the deadline (January 15 in most states), your coverage will start February 1. Just keep in mind that waiting until the last day could create a short gap in coverage if your current plan ends December 31.
Yes, if you enroll early and then change your mind, you can update your plan selection any time before your state’s deadline. Your new choice will replace the previous one.
Not always. To have coverage start January 1, you must enroll by December 15 in most states. If you enroll later (but before the deadline), your plan will usually start February 1. Note that some state-based Marketplaces have other deadlines. Check the state chart above for the deadline that applies to you for 2027 coverage.
Yes. Whether you’re signing up for the first time or renewing an existing plan, the same deadlines apply. To avoid any coverage gaps, it’s best to review your options and confirm your plan before December 15.
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