Deadline To | Buy Health Insurance

Losing a job-based plan, Medicaid, or COBRA.

The February 1 start date option will be eliminated in most states; all plans selected during this window will start January 1, 2027 . 🛠 Preparation Checklist

The final day for most states to enroll for coverage starting February 1, 2026 . deadline to buy health insurance

Available to low-income individuals and families year-round.

If you missed the January deadline, you generally cannot buy a Marketplace plan until the next Open Enrollment period unless you qualify for a . Qualifying Life Events (SEP) Losing a job-based plan, Medicaid, or COBRA

Social Security numbers and immigration documents for all household members.

A few states offered extra time, such as California , New York , and New Jersey , which extended deadlines into late January. Washington, D.C. had the latest deadline of February 4, 2026 . 💡 Can You Still Get Insurance? Available to low-income individuals and families year-round

Pay stubs, W-2s, or tax returns to estimate your projected annual income.