When is Open Enrollment and Special Enrollment? When can I apply for health insurance?

📅 When Is Open Enrollment?

In most states, the Open Enrollment Period for 2026 health insurance coverage runs from: November 1st to January 15th, 2026.

➡️ November 1, 2025 – December 15, 2025

To ensure your coverage starts on January 1, 2026, you must apply and choose your plan by December 15, 2025.

➡️ December 16, 2025 – January 15, 2026

To ensure your coverage starts on February 1, 2026, you must apply and choose your plan by January 15, 2026.

⚠️ State-Specific Exceptions

Some states have different deadlines:

• California, Virginia and New Jersey residents have until December 31, 2025 to apply for coverage starting January 1, 2026 and until January 31st, 2026 to apply for coverage starting February 1st, 2026.

• A few other states may extend their deadlines past December 15.
  👉 View those states here.

🧠 Why Does Open Enrollment Exist?

Open Enrollment is a set time each year when anyone can sign up for a health insurance plan.

This system was created because insurance relies on pooling money from healthy and sick people alike. If people could wait to enroll until they got sick, there wouldn’t be enough funds to cover everyone’s medical costs. That’s why enrollment is limited to a specific time each year.

❗ Missed Open Enrollment?

If you miss the deadline, you may still be able to get coverage through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)—but only if you experience a qualifying life event, such as:

• Losing job-based health coverage

• Getting married or divorced

• Having a baby

• Moving to a new state

• 👉 View the full list here