Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is one of the most important things to know about when it comes to getting health insurance. But what is it and why does it matter?
This short guide answers your most common questions, including why Open Enrollment exists, when it happens, and what you need to do to get covered during this period.
1. What is Open Enrollment Period?
Open Enrollment is the one time of year that you can buy or change your health insurance. If you don’t buy health insurance during OEP, you will not be able to get covered until next year’s Open Enrollment Period unless you experience a qualifying life event.
If you already have coverage, this still applies to you! Your health insurance premium could cost more or your coverage could change in the coming year, so even if your current plan worked well for 2026, it may not be the right choice for 2027. Luckily, Open Enrollment is the one time of year you can replace your plan with a better fit.
2. When is Open Enrollment?
In most states, Open Enrollment starts Nov. 1, 2026 to Jan. 15, 2027. Enroll by Dec. 15, 2026 for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2027, or by Jan. 15, 2027 for coverage that starts Feb. 1, 2027.
3. Why does Open Enrollment exist?
If Open Enrollment didn’t exist, when would you buy health insurance? Most likely when you got sick or injured, right?
Well, OEP restricts when you can buy health insurance in order to maintain a needed balance for health insurance companies. By constraining the time period during which you can purchase health insurance, the amount of money going into and coming out of insurance companies’ pockets remains relatively balanced. This allows insurance companies to maintain a balanced pool of sick and healthy people, keeping the marketplaces stable.
The amount people pay in premiums works to counteract the money insurance companies are paying out towards claims. If people could sign up for insurance at any point, this balance wouldn’t exist and would cause an unhealthy disruption within the health insurance industry.
4. Who does Open Enrollment apply to?
Americans ages 18 to 64 who aren’t already covered by Medicaid, an employer, their parents, or Veterans Affairs are eligible to get a health plan during Open Enrollment.
5. Which states have extended or different enrollment windows?
In most states, the last day to sign up is Jan. 15, 2027. But this year, more states than usual have their own deadlines, and several end in December:
Ends early (December):
Dec. 15, 2026: Idaho
Dec. 23, 2026: Connecticut
Dec. 31, 2026: Rhode Island, Washington
Ends late (end of January):
Jan. 29, 2027: Virginia
Jan. 31, 2027: California, Washington D.C., New Jersey, New York
Live in Massachusetts, Minnesota, or Vermont? These states are still finalizing their 2027 deadlines. We’ll update this post in early November once they’re set. In the meantime, check your state’s marketplace so you don’t miss your deadline.
No matter where you live, sign up by Dec. 15, 2026 if you want coverage to start Jan. 1, 2027. And since deadlines can change, it’s always smart to double-check with your state’s marketplace.
6. What if I already have a plan from last year?
If you purchased health insurance during Open Enrollment last year, you may be automatically re-enrolled for next year. But remember to beware — insurers often change plans’ coverage and prices from year to year. If you don’t review your coverage during Open Enrollment, you may see your monthly health payments increase, your doctor may stop accepting your plan, and your prescriptions may no longer be covered.
Make a habit of reviewing your plan each year to make sure it still meets your needs. While you’re at it, see whether other plans have been added to your area. You could find an even better deal than your current plan offers, but you won’t know unless you look. Not sure if your current plan is still the right fit? Take our quiz.
7. Do I have to sign up for all types of insurance during Open Enrollment?
Nope, Open Enrollment only applies to health insurance.
However, many people choose to enroll in dental, vision, disability, life, and accident insurance during OEP in order to protect their entire physical and financial wellbeing all at once — plus, you won’t have to worry about it for the rest of the year.
About 40% of people who get health insurance through Stride pay less than $50 per month for their coverage.*
8. How am I going to afford health insurance?
Subsidies are government tax credits that are available to help people afford health insurance. There are two types: the premium tax credit (this is when the government pays for all or a portion of your coverage) and the cost-sharing subsidy (which lowers the expenses you have to pay for when receiving care). Thanks to these tax credits, about 40 percent of people who have gotten health insurance through Stride pay less than $50 per month for their plan! To see how much you could save, estimate your income with our worksheet and then plug it into the subsidy calculator.
9. Where can I buy my health insurance?
While you can buy health insurance directly from the federal or state exchanges, Stride makes the process a whole lot easier. We’re a partner of HealthCare.gov, which means we offer all the same plans at the same low prices. The difference? Our customizable shopping tool helps you find the best one for your needs and checks if you qualify for financial assistance in minutes.
*Based on Stride Open Enrollment Plan Year 2026 data, including customers who qualified for Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs). Savings reflect the average APTC applied to health insurance premiums. Not all customers will qualify.