When does open enrollment start is the wrong question this season: Medicare's window closes Dec. 7, then Marketplace deadlines follow through January.
Marketplace deadlines follow on a separate schedule. HealthCare.gov opened its 2027 enrollment period on Nov. 1. Most state-based Marketplaces opened on Nov. 1 or earlier; Connecticut opened on Oct. 23. State-based Marketplace calendars may differ from the federal schedule.
When Does Open Enrollment Start on HealthCare.gov?
The HealthCare.gov window runs from Nov. 1, 2026, through Jan. 15, 2027. For coverage starting Jan. 1, the enrollment deadline is earlier: Dec. 15. Applications completed from Dec. 16 through Jan. 15 generally provide coverage starting Feb. 1, after the first premium is paid. The full federal schedule is available in the HealthCare.gov dates and deadlines guide.
These dates do not replace state-specific rules. A state-based Marketplace may have different enrollment dates or coverage-effective-date rules. Confirm the applicable calendar with the state Marketplace before relying on the federal dates.
Which Enrollment Clock Applies?
Available deadlines depend on the coverage or enrollment activity involved:
- Medicare beneficiary changing Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage: Dec. 7, 2026.
- HealthCare.gov shopper seeking coverage effective Jan. 1: Dec. 15, 2026.
- HealthCare.gov shopper who can start coverage Feb. 1: Jan. 15, 2027.
- Current Georgia Pathways member: Dec. 31, 2026, subject to state or federal action.
- Agent or broker awaiting new federally facilitated Marketplace registration: Feb. 1, 2027, unless CMS changes the moratorium.
Households coordinating more than one type of coverage should record each relevant deadline separately. A Medicare enrollment does not complete a Marketplace enrollment, and a Marketplace deadline does not change a Medicare election period.
Dec. 7, 2026: Medicare Annual Enrollment Ends
Applies to: People with Medicare who want to change Medicare Advantage or stand-alone Part D coverage for 2027.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Elections made during this period generally take effect Jan. 1, 2027. The Medicare Plan Compare tool lists available plans for comparison.
If missed: Medicare Advantage or Part D coverage generally remains in place until another applicable enrollment opportunity. People enrolled in Medicare Advantage may be able to use the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, Jan. 1 through Mar. 31, once per year. It allows one change: switching to another Medicare Advantage plan or returning to Original Medicare and joining a Part D plan.
Action: Compare the current plan with available 2027 options and submit any requested change by Dec. 7. Confirm that the selected plan and effective date appear in the enrollment confirmation.
Dec. 15, 2026: HealthCare.gov Deadline for Jan. 1 Coverage
Applies to: HealthCare.gov shoppers who need a Marketplace plan to begin Jan. 1, 2027.
Dec. 15 is the federal Marketplace deadline for Jan. 1 coverage. The date is distinct from the overall end of Open Enrollment. An enrollment completed after Dec. 15 but by Jan. 15 generally starts Feb. 1, not Jan. 1. State-based Marketplaces may set different deadlines.
If missed: A HealthCare.gov shopper will generally lose the Jan. 1 start date. Enrollment by Jan. 15 may still provide a Feb. 1 effective date, subject to payment of the first premium and applicable plan rules.
Action: Submit the application and plan selection by Dec. 15 if Jan. 1 coverage is needed. Review the enrollment confirmation and contact the insurer about the first premium and coverage start date.
Marketplace shoppers who qualify for subsidies, including people with ongoing care needs or limited household income, can compare Marketplace plan options through GetACA.com. Eligibility and plan availability depend on individual circumstances and should be confirmed through the Marketplace.
Dec. 31, 2026: Georgia Pathways Scheduled Expiration
Applies to: Current members of Georgia Pathways to Coverage.
Available records show the program is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2026, unless extended through state or federal action. Current members face a coverage decision and should review official notices for updates. The Georgia Department of Community Health Pathways page provides program information.
If missed: If the scheduled expiration remains in effect, Pathways coverage may not continue into the new year. The status of any extension or transition should be confirmed with state authorities.
Action: Review notices from Georgia agencies and confirm any next steps or other coverage options before the end of December. A Nov. 3 VerifiedAgent post covers Georgia Pathways program mechanics; this calendar records only the scheduled expiration and coverage-decision date.
Jan. 15, 2027: HealthCare.gov Open Enrollment Ends
Applies to: HealthCare.gov shoppers enrolling in or changing a Marketplace plan for 2027 coverage.
Jan. 15 is the last day of the federal Marketplace Open Enrollment Period. A plan selected during the Dec. 16–Jan. 15 period generally starts Feb. 1, provided the first premium is paid. State-based Marketplace closing dates may differ.
If missed: After Jan. 15, HealthCare.gov enrollment or plan changes generally require eligibility for a Special Enrollment Period based on a qualifying life event. Some public coverage programs have separate application rules.
Action: Complete the application and select a plan by Jan. 15 if Marketplace coverage is needed for Feb. 1. Keep the selection confirmation and confirm the first premium payment with the insurer.
Feb. 1, 2027: Federal Marketplace Agent Registration Moratorium Ends
Applies to: Agents and brokers who did not have a Plan Year 2026 agreement and seek to register for the federally facilitated Marketplace or a state Marketplace using the federal platform.
The CMS moratorium took effect on Sept. 22, 2026, and is scheduled to remain in effect until Feb. 1, 2027, unless CMS lifts, extends, or changes it. The Federal Register notice says CMS estimated that approximately 19,000 new agent and broker registrations would otherwise have occurred during the moratorium period.
The pause concerns new registrations for the covered federal platforms. It does not bar agents with Plan Year 2026 agreements from completing the applicable 2027 registration process. Consumers with an existing agent of record are not subject to a new-agent registration ban. Shoppers seeking new assistance may have a smaller roster of newly registering agents available until the moratorium ends.
If missed: Agents without a current Plan Year 2026 agreement cannot complete the covered Plan Year 2027 registration while the moratorium remains in effect. The reopening date or terms may change if CMS issues a subsequent notice.
Action: Agents should check current CMS notices and registration requirements before assisting consumers through a federal platform. Consumers should ask an agent for a National Producer Number (NPN) and confirm the agent’s state license status before sharing income information or Medicare identifiers. State agent listings may help locate licensing records; directory information does not replace independent confirmation with the state insurance department.
Why Five Deadlines Are Stacking Up
The 2027 coverage year has several staggered windows. Medicare Annual Enrollment closes before the Marketplace deadline for Jan. 1 coverage. Georgia Pathways is scheduled to expire at calendar year end. The Marketplace remains open into January, while the federal agent-registration moratorium is scheduled to end after that enrollment period closes.
Households coordinating multiple coverages may have more than one deadline to track. For example, a Medicare-age parent may need to review Medicare coverage by Dec. 7 while adult children use a Marketplace deadline later in December or January. Recording the dates by person and coverage type can reduce the risk that an enrollment task is overlooked.
Year-End Enrollment Documentation Checklist
Keep a record for each person and each enrollment:
- Save plan identification numbers and enrollment confirmation numbers.
- Keep insurer letters, including non-renewal notices and plan-change notices.
- Record the assisting agent’s name and NPN. Retain authorization records.
- Save or print the plan-selection confirmation and evidence of the first-premium payment.
- Calendar any applicable Special Enrollment Period deadline. Many qualifying events allow a limited period, often 60 days, but the applicable rule should be confirmed.
The five dates apply to separate coverage and registration processes. Available schedules, eligibility rules, and current status may change. Confirm each deadline with Medicare, HealthCare.gov, the relevant state Marketplace or agency, or CMS before taking action.