The cutoff for coverage starting January 1, 2026 .
Losing a job-based plan, Medicaid, or COBRA.
Available to low-income individuals and families year-round. deadline to buy health insurance
You may be eligible to enroll within of a major life change, such as:
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? The cutoff for coverage starting January 1, 2026
Social Security numbers and immigration documents for all household members.
Certain programs do not follow the standard deadline and allow enrollment at any time: You may be eligible to enroll within of
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