If you read last year that Open Enrollment would end on December 15, you were not imagining it. A federal rule finalized in 2025 was supposed to shorten the window starting with 2027 coverage. That rule did not survive — and the deadline most people now have is January 15, 2027. Here is the full story, told plainly, plus what it means for the way you should plan.
What the rule tried to change
In 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services finalized a marketplace rule that, among other things, set Open Enrollment on the federal platform to run from November 1 through December 15, beginning with the enrollment period for 2027 coverage. State-run marketplaces would have been required to end their windows by December 31. The stated goal was to have everyone's coverage start January 1 and reduce mid-winter plan switching.
What the court did
In June 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland vacated the provision that shortened Open Enrollment. Vacating a rule means it cannot be enforced. HealthCare.gov now lists the traditional schedule for 2027 coverage:
- November 1, 2026 — Open Enrollment starts.
- December 15, 2026 — last day to enroll or change plans for coverage that starts January 1.
- January 15, 2027 — Open Enrollment ends. Plans chosen after December 15 generally start February 1.
What is still uncertain
HHS appealed the decision, and oral arguments were scheduled for late October 2026. An appeals court could, in theory, change the picture — though a mid-season reversal after enrollment has already opened would be unusual. The practical takeaway is not to gamble on the final week of the window.
How to plan around it
- Treat December 15 as your real deadline. It is the cutoff for January 1 coverage no matter how the appeal turns out, and it keeps you from a gap in January.
- Use the extra weeks for shopping, not waiting. The January window is useful if you need time to compare networks or confirm a doctor — not as a reason to procrastinate.
- Check your state. State-run marketplaces set their own dates, and several differ. See our 2027 deadlines by state.
- Re-check your subsidy. Enhanced subsidies expired after 2025, so your 2027 price may be very different from what you paid before. Estimate it with the subsidy calculator.
What happens if you miss January 15?
After Open Enrollment closes, you can only enroll if you have a qualifying life event such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage, or having a baby. Those events open a Special Enrollment Period, usually 60 days. Without one, you generally wait until the next enrollment season — which is why getting this year's date right matters.
Why the date confusion happened
For most of 2025 and early 2026, the December 15 end date was official policy, and many websites, articles, and even some insurance materials repeated it. When the rule was vacated, not every source updated. If you see conflicting dates, trust the official marketplace for your state and the dates printed on your renewal notice.
Want to lock in your 2027 plan before December 15? Our free tool compares plans across top carriers and shows what you would actually pay in about 60 seconds — no obligation, and a licensed agent reviews your options with you. Get your free quote →