If you’re in the market for an individual or family health insurance plan for 2027, the annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is your time to shop. This guide answers all the key questions about dates, deadlines, plan options and how to enroll so you’ll have the right coverage when you need it.

What is the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for health insurance?

The Open Enrollment Period is your yearly opportunity to sign up for or change your individual or family health insurance plan for any reason. It occurs late fall into winter so you can select the best coverage for the upcoming calendar year.

Open enrollment is available to those who don’t already have health insurance coverage from Medicare, Medicaid, an employer-sponsored plan, their parents’ plan or from Veterans Affairs.

Employers have their own open enrollment periods, which can vary. And if you’re turning 65 soon, you’ll be eligible for your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This window starts three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after.

When is Open Enrollment for getting health insurance coverage for 2027?

Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15 for private health insurance plans as well as individual and family insurance plans purchased through the marketplace, on MNsure (for Minnesota residents) or healthcare.gov (for Wisconsin residents).

Understanding enrollment year vs. coverage year

There is an important distinction between the year of enrollment and the year of coverage. When you sign up for or switch your health insurance during OEP, coverage kicks in the following calendar year. So, the enrollment dates and deadlines in 2026 are setting up your coverage for 2027.

Your coverage dates are based on when you enroll for your insurance plan during the OEP window. If you make insurance changes or sign up for coverage Nov. 1, 2026 through Dec. 15, 2026, your new coverage begins on Jan. 1, 2027. If you select coverage any time Dec. 16, 2026 through Jan. 15, 2027, your new coverage will begin on Feb. 1, 2027.

What health insurance plans can you enroll in during Open Enrollment?

During OEP, you can purchase any health insurance plan through the individual marketplace (on-exchange), directly from an insurance provider (off-exchange), or with the assistance of a broker. The best option for you depends on your coverage needs and budget.

Specific benefits and coverage will vary by plan type, so be sure to review what is covered (and what isn’t) in the plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) before you enroll.

Additionally, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) guarantees a set of minimum consumer protections for all individual medical policies. Thus, the ACA requires that all health insurance plans sold on the individual marketplace and most off-exchange plans provide coverage for these 10 essential health benefits:

  1. Prescription drugs
  2. Pediatric care
  3. Preventive care
  4. Emergency services
  5. Hospitalization
  6. Mental health
  7. Maternity care
  8. Outpatient services
  9. Laboratory services
  10. Rehabilitative services and devices

Wondering about pre-existing conditions? No need to worry. In addition to the guaranteed benefits above, the ACA states that you can’t be denied coverage by a marketplace plan due to a pre-existing condition.

How to enroll in health insurance

There are several ways to shop for and enroll in health insurance. Each option offers a level of customer support to help you make the right choice.

Buying through a health insurance company

Also known as an off-exchange purchase, this option is when you buy a plan directly from an insurance provider, such as HealthPartners. Health insurance companies are the most knowledgeable about their plans and can break down the details of their offerings to ensure you are getting the coverage you need.

Working with a health insurance broker

A health insurance broker can show you different types of plans from a variety of insurance companies as opposed to just one single insurer. This can help you weigh your options more broadly while still getting assistance for picking a plan that meets your needs. Plus, brokers can usually provide ongoing support after you enroll.

Shopping through a health insurance marketplace

Marketplaces are great for comparing multiple on-exchange health plan prices and benefits in a single location. If you are a Minnesota resident, you can shop through MNsure yourself or take advantage of support from an assigned navigator to help navigate enrollment. If you live in Wisconsin, you can shop available marketplace options through healthcare.gov.

It’s also important to check for subsidies when shopping for health plans. Visit your state’s marketplace website to check if you’re eligible for any subsidies, which may include premium tax credits or lower costs when you get care.

What documents do you need to enroll in an insurance plan?

Depending on the plan and where you live, you may need documentation to verify things like citizenship or proof of lawful residency status when applying for health insurance.

Here are the most common documents you should have available:

  1. For proof of age, you’ll need any one of these:
    1. Voter ID card
    2. Driver’s license
    3. Passport
    4. Birth certificate
  2. For proof of identity, you’ll need any one of these:
    1. Voter ID card
    2. Driver’s license
    3. Passport
    4. Social Security card
  3. For proof of address, you’ll need any one of these:
    1. Driver’s license
    2. Rental agreement if applicable
    3. Utility bill

What happens if you miss Open Enrollment for 2027?

If you miss the open enrollment deadline, you might be able to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you have experienced a qualifying life event such as:

  • The loss of health insurance from your employer or other minimum coverage
  • Household changes such as marriage, divorce, a death in the family or having a baby
  • A change in your home address to somewhere with health plans that are different than what was previously available to you

If you do qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you’ll have 60 days to enroll in a new plan. However, if you miss that window, you’ll have to wait until the next OEP to sign up for an individual health insurance plan for the following year.

Another option is to see if you qualify for Medicaid. Enrollment is available all year for those who qualify, depending on household income levels. If you experienced an income loss during the year, it’s worth it to check your eligibility for Medicaid.

For Minnesota residents, Medicaid is offered through the state as Medical Assistance. An expanded type of coverage, called MinnesotaCare, is also available for those at a higher income level and don’t qualify for traditional Medical Assistance. For more information on eligibility requirements, head to the state website.

Also, if you’re on Medicaid and find that you’re no longer eligible, you’ll be able to switch to a private plan, as the loss of your Medicaid plan would be a qualifying event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period.

Have more questions about individual health insurance?

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