As summer turns to fall, the time when Americans can enroll for Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant health plans, or make changes to any existing plans, for 2026 draws closer.
While there are some differences between states, the majority have the 2026 open enrollment period beginning at the start of November.
Why It Matters
During the open enrollment period last year, so for coverage in 2025, enrollment reached a record high, with more than 24.3 million people signing up for coverage through marketplaces nationwide, according to the health insurance information website healthinsurance.org.
The popularity of ACA coverage has meant that premiums have crept up, and coupled with a surge in costs because of the expiry of subsidy enhancements, premiums this year are expected to rise by an average of 22 percent in 2026.
Out of pocket costs are also set to increase next year, and there are a number of other changes, potentially influencing what Americans decide to do about enrolling for health insurance plans for 2026.
What To Know
The ACA's open enrollment period is the annual time frame when individuals and families can review the different available health plans and choose which they think will best fit their needs for the coming year.
During the enrollment period, Americans can either opt in to an ACA-compliant individual or family plan, or make changes to their existing coverage through their state's marketplace.
It's important to consider whether any preferred doctors, medical facilities, or any medications are covered by different plans and what out-of-pocket costs will be.
When completing open enrollment, Americans will need the name, address, social security number and birth date of each enrollee, as well as proof of citizenship or legal residency status. Payment information for the first month's premium is also required.
Applying for plans can be done online, over the phone, via a paper application, or in-person with a local broker, Navigator, or enrollment assister.
Full List Of Dates
In the majority of states, open enrollment for 2026 coverage runs from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026, according to healthinsurance.org. These states include:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Idaho has a slightly earlier open enrollment period, running from October 15, 2025 to December 15, 2025. Massachusetts has a marginally longer open enrollment period, running from November 1, 2025 to January 23 rather than January 15 next year.
California, District of Columbia, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island have the longest open enrollment period, which runs from November 1, 2025 until January 31, 2026.
Although in most states, in order to get a January 1 effective date the deadline is December 15.
What People Are Saying
Ge Bai, a professor of health policy and management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Maryland, told Newsweek: "For higher-income individuals who will no longer receive premium tax credit and are concerned about rising premiums, catastrophic plans can be an appealing option. Although these plans are not 'true catastrophic'—covering only major, non-routine, economically insurable services—they have much lower premiums due to their high deductibles. The One Big Beautiful Bill expanded health savings accounts eligibility to include these plans, providing a tax-free way to pay for medical expenses before meeting the deductible."
She added: "Once the COVID-era premium subsidies expire, higher-income individuals will face the true cost of ACA plans, which has been artificially made to look affordable by those subsidies. The sticker shock will help restore a functioning insurance market, as consumers begin demanding affordable 'true insurance' that covers only insurable events and a consumer-friendly regulatory environment that fosters competitive, innovative plans people genuinely need and want."
What Happens Next
Starting from November 1 for most states, with the exception of Idaho, Americans will be able to enroll or make changes to their existing ACA-compliant health coverage plans.
Update 9/25/25, 6:26 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Bai.
