Can I enroll right now?

Pick a date and tell us what's happening. You'll see which doors are open: marketplace open enrollment, a special enrollment period, Medicare, or the year-round options. You'll also see your deadline and when coverage would start.

The windows, in brief

• Marketplace open enrollment: November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1; enrollments from December 16 to January 15 start February 1.
• Special enrollment: usually 60 days after a qualifying life event. For losing coverage, aging off a parent's plan, or moving, you can also enroll up to 60 days before the event.
• TennCare and CoverKids: year-round.
• Medicare: a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday, plus the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) for changing plans.

The full enrollment calendar

Frequently asked questions

Is getting pregnant a qualifying event? Not for the federal marketplace. The birth is. But pregnant women may qualify for TennCare or CoverKids up to 250% of the poverty level, and those enroll year-round.

Does quitting my job count as losing coverage? Yes. Losing job-based coverage is a qualifying event whether you quit, were laid off, or had hours cut. Voluntarily dropping a marketplace plan, or losing coverage because you didn't pay premiums, does not count.

I'm on COBRA. Can I switch to the marketplace? During open enrollment, yes. Mid-year, voluntarily ending COBRA doesn't open a special enrollment period, but COBRA running out does. COBRA and continuation.

What if I missed my 60-day window? Check TennCare and CoverKids, which take applications any day. Otherwise you may need to wait for open enrollment. If something outside your control kept you from enrolling, call HealthCare.gov at 1-800-318-2596 and ask about an exceptional circumstances special enrollment period.

Sources

• HealthCare.gov — open enrollment dates and special enrollment period rules
• CMS statement on City of Columbus v. Kennedy (July 31, 2026) — 2027 open enrollment window confirmed
• Medicare.gov — Initial Enrollment Period and Annual Enrollment Period
• TennCare / tn.gov — year-round TennCare and CoverKids applications