Reminder: 2026 Open Enrollment isn't over yet! Here's the latest w/more deadline extensions

Since we're past the initial December 15th Open Enrollment Deadline for coverage starting January 1st in most states and since there's been several enrollment deadline extensions announced by various states (including two more today), I figured this would be a good time to post a completely updated rundown of just what the remaining deadlines are for every state as well as what your options are if you miss them.

This is basically a standalone version of the first section of my annual Open Enrollment Guide; I hope that separating it out will make it less overwhelming.

IDAHO: December 15th was the only deadline for 2026 coverage. If you missed it, you're pretty much out of luck unless you qualify for one of the following exceptions:

• Members of federally-recognized Native American tribes or Alaska Natives can enroll in ACA coverage year-round.

• If you're eligible for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), you can enroll year-round.

• If you become eligible for a 60-day Special Enrollment Period due to having a qualifying life event like losing your existing coverage, getting married/divorced, giving birth/adopting, turning 26, getting out of prison, etc.

VERMONT: Vermont has quietly extended their deadline for January 1st coverage out to today, December 19th: VT HealthConnect has a simple message stating "Want to apply for coverage starting 1/1 and couldn't reach us? Call us at 1-855-899-9600 or log in to your account before Friday afternoon to get a 1/1 start date."

CONNECTICUT: Due to a server outage just before the original deadline, you still have until December 20th to enroll for coverage starting January 1st. However, you''ll have to actually call Access Health CT at 1-855-805-4325 by the new deadline to qualify.

MASSACHUSETTS: You still have until December 23rd to enroll for coverage starting January 1st.

VIRGINIA: The VA State Corporation Commission previously announced that they were extending their deadline for January 1st coverage out to December 30th...and now it looks like they've bumped it out by another day to December 31st.

CALIFORNIA, MARYLAND, NEVADA, NEW JERSEY, NEW MEXICO, RHODE ISLAND: All of these states have deadlines of December 31st for January 1st coverage.

ILLINOIS & PENNSYLVANIA: Both states recently announced extensions of their deadlines out through December 31st for January 1st coverage.

WASHINGTON: This was just announced: Due to the flooding state of emergency in WA State, Gov. Ferguson has announced a Special Enrollment Period in which residents can enroll for coverage starting January 1st as late as January 15th. From the press release:

To qualify for the SEP, customers will need to request a retroactive start date (Jan. 1, 2026) and will be granted one if they make the request before Jan. 15, 2026. Customer support can create a retroactive start date for these customers. Customers can also connect with their broker or navigator for support.

More information on special enrollment periods can be found at Open Enrollment vs. Special Enrollment | Washington Healthplanfinder.

ALL OTHER STATES: You've missed the deadline for coverage starting January 1st, but still have until January 15th or later to enroll for coverage starting February 1st.

WHAT IF I WANT TO CHANGE MY PLAN?

If you either selected (or more likely were automatically re-enrolled) into a policy which you then realized wasn't the best option for you for whatever reason, in every state except for Idaho, you still have until January 15th or later (see "February 1st" column in table above) to switch to a different policy for coverage starting February 1st.

This will be particularly important for millions of enrollees if Congressional Republicans actually agree to allow the enhanced ACA tax credits to be extended, as many people will find that they'll be much better off with a different policy thanks to the additional financial assistance.

I should note that if that happens, whatever subsidy extension bill gets passed will almost certainly also include a 2026 Open Enrollment Period deadline extension as well, which would give all enrollees more time to either enroll (if they haven't done so yet) or switch policies if they already did.

It's also important to keep in mind, however, that in most cases, switching policies will mean that your deductible & out of pocket cap will be reset twice. That is, if you rack up $500 in deductible claims in January, it will reset to $0 on the new policy starting in February. This is unfortunate but understandable if you're switching from one insurance carrier to another.

I should note that back in 2021, when the enhanced tax credits were originally signed into law by President Biden and Open Enrollment was extended by months in response to the COVID pandemic, some states like California and New Hampshire were able to get their insurance carriers to agree to carry over existing deductible/out-of-pocket credit to the enrollees new plans after all. I don't know if that would happen in 2026 but it's conceivable in some cases.