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Official dates and rules, written so you can compare options before you talk to an agent.
Straight answers with official sources, then a call from one licensed agency if you want one.
Marketplace Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027 in states that use HealthCare.gov. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for a January 1 start. Official dates from HealthCare.gov and CMS.
If you lose job-based health insurance, you generally have 60 days to enroll in a Marketplace plan and at least 60 days to elect COBRA. Compare those official options with private plans before deadlines pass.
COBRA is one option after a job ends, not the only one. Official alternatives include a Marketplace plan, another group plan, Medicaid or CHIP, and Medicare if you are eligible. Compare costs and deadlines first.
Freelancers, gig workers and owners can compare Marketplace plans, private off-exchange plans, HSA-eligible options, and small-group coverage. Check HealthCare.gov for premium tax credits before you assume a private plan is cheaper.
If you retire before Medicare age, compare Marketplace plans, COBRA, a spouse’s plan, and private off-exchange coverage to bridge the gap. Medicare has its own rules and is a different program.
Short-term, limited-duration plans are not comprehensive health coverage, may exclude pre-existing conditions, and are not sold in every state. Federal and state rules on how long they last have changed. Read official CMS guidance before you apply.
After Marketplace Open Enrollment, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan only with a Special Enrollment Period, such as losing coverage, moving, or a household change. Some private plans accept applications in other months.
If Marketplace Open Enrollment has ended and you do not have a qualifying life event, you generally cannot enroll in a Marketplace plan until the next annual window. Check for a Special Enrollment Period, Medicaid or CHIP, and private options.
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