Missed Deadline for ObamaCare

What Happens if I Miss the Deadline for ObamaCare (ACA) Open Enrollment?

If you missed the annual Open Enrollment deadline for 2026 coverage, you may lose access to ACA marketplace plans with cost assistance for the year. However, several coverage options may still be available depending on your situation.

The standard ACA Open Enrollment window for 2026 health plans in most states is November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026. Coverage dates depend on when you enroll and whether you pay your first premium on time.

Outside this window, marketplace plans are generally unavailable unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) or meet certain exception criteria. Below are your options if you missed the deadline.

Your Options If You Miss the Open Enrollment Deadline

• Check whether the federal marketplace (HealthCare.gov) or your state exchange issued a last-minute extension. Some states routinely extend enrollment into late January.
• See if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

  More than 40 qualifying life events may make you eligible, including:

  • Loss of employer coverage
  • Marriage or divorce
  • Moving to a new state or rating area
  • Birth, adoption, or placement of a child
  • Loss of Medicaid or CHIP eligibility
  • Income change affecting subsidy eligibility
• If you attempted to enroll before the deadline but couldn’t complete enrollment due to website or call-center issues, you may qualify for a short SEP. This is handled on a case-by-case basis by HealthCare.gov or your state exchange.
• Apply for Medicaid or CHIP. Enrollment for both is open year-round. Eligibility depends on your state and household income.
• Check employer-sponsored coverage options. Employers have their own enrollment periods that often differ from the ACA marketplace dates.
• Consider Medicare if you are turning 65 or otherwise eligible.
• Look at Short-Term Health Insurance if no other options apply. These plans:
  • Do NOT meet ACA requirements
  • Do NOT qualify for subsidies
  • Can still offer temporary financial protection

Bottom Line: If you miss Open Enrollment and don’t qualify for SEP, Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, or employer coverage, you typically cannot buy an ACA marketplace plan until the next Open Enrollment period.

When Will New Coverage Start?

• Enroll by December 15: Coverage starts January 1
• Enroll December 16 – January 15: Coverage starts February 1

Some state-based marketplaces may allow later enrollments, but coverage start dates follow similar rules.

Short-Term Coverage as a Bridge

If you do not qualify for Special Enrollment or public options (Medicaid, CHIP), short-term plans may provide temporary coverage until the next Open Enrollment. They:

• Can be purchased anytime
• Are often cheaper than full ACA plans
• Do not provide full ACA protections (preexisting conditions may not be covered)

Learn more about short-term coverage:
Short Term Health Insurance

Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Qualifying Life Events

You may qualify for a 60-day Special Enrollment Period if you experience a qualifying life event that affects coverage or subsidy eligibility. Common examples include:

• Marriage, divorce, legal separation
• Birth or adoption
• Loss of qualifying coverage
• Moving to a new state or county
• Becoming a U.S. citizen or lawfully present
• Major income changes that alter subsidy eligibility
• Plan or insurer contract violations
• Exceptional circumstances determined by HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace

Full SEP rules:
Special Enrollment Period

Can I Still Get Subsidies if I Missed Open Enrollment?

No. Marketplace subsidies (premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions) are only available:

• During Open Enrollment, OR
• If you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period

You must enroll in a marketplace plan to receive subsidies. Missing the deadline without SEP generally means no subsidies until the next enrollment year.

Buying a Plan Outside of Open Enrollment

Outside Open Enrollment, you can purchase:

• Short-term health insurance
• Fixed indemnity, accident, or private supplemental plans (not ACA-compliant)

ACA-compliant plans (major medical coverage) are not sold outside Open Enrollment unless SEP applies.

State-Specific Extensions

Many state-based exchanges extend their deadlines past January 15. Deadlines for 2026 will be updated here as states release official dates.

Check your state’s marketplace here:
HealthCare.gov

Historical Open Enrollment Deadlines (SEO Archive)

What If I Don’t Obtain Health Insurance?

The federal fee for not having coverage (individual mandate penalty) is $0 in most states. However, several states do impose their own requirement:

• California
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island
• Massachusetts
• District of Columbia

You may owe a state fee if you live in one of these areas and go without coverage.