What to Know About ACA Open Enrollment
Brief
Nov-01-2025
1-min read
Get smart quickly about what open enrollment is, key dates to watch for, and changes coming to the open enrollment process this year.
Do you work with communities that need to know more about enrolling in healthcare coverage? This resource provides info about the enrollment process, important dates, and key changes.
What to know:
- Open enrollment is the period when individuals and families can sign up for, change, or cancel health coverage obtained through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces.
- In most states, open enrollment begins Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15. For individuals who sign up for health insurance during open enrollment, coverage will start on Jan. 1, 2026.
- Three noteworthy changes in 2026:
- Prices for health coverage will likely be higher. Researchers say the average ACA marketplace consumer will pay twice as much for coverage in 2026 as they paid in 2025.
- More paperwork. Notices asking for additional documentation are likely. Failure to respond can jeopardize coverage.
- Help with enrollment may be hard to find. Professionals who previously helped with the enrollment process may have lost their job due to federal cuts.
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