If you woke up on December 16th and realized you missed the cutoff for a January 1st start date, you aren't alone. One of the highest-volume searches right now is "how to get health insurance starting February 1st."
While the window for New Year’s Day coverage has closed in most states, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace remains open. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming deadlines, state-specific extensions, and the "rate shock" many are seeing in their 2026 renewal notices.
For states using the federal platform (HealthCare.gov), the final deadline of the Open Enrollment Period is January 15, 2026.
Enroll by January 15: Your health insurance will begin on February 1, 2026.
Missing this date: If you miss the January 15th cutoff, you likely won’t be able to enroll in a marketplace plan for the rest of the year unless you experience a "Qualifying Life Event" (like getting married, having a baby, or losing job-based insurance) that triggers a Special Enrollment Period.
While the federal deadline is mid-January, several states operate their own exchanges and offer more breathing room. If you are searching for health insurance deadlines in California or the Northeast, you have a bit more time:
| State | Open Enrollment End Date | Coverage Start Date |
| California (Covered CA) | January 31, 2026 | Feb 1 (if enrolled by Jan 15) or Mar 1 |
| New York (NYS of Health) | January 31, 2026 | Typically March 1 for late enrollees |
| New Jersey (Get Covered NJ) | January 31, 2026 | Typically March 1 for late enrollees |
Note: Residents in these states often have until January 31st to select a plan, but earlier enrollment is always recommended to avoid a gap in coverage.
A massive trend in search queries this month is: "Why is my health insurance going up in 2026?" For the past few years, many Americans enjoyed significantly lower premiums thanks to Enhanced Premium Tax Credits introduced during the pandemic and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act. However, these enhanced subsidies are currently set to expire at the end of 2025.
Expiring Subsidies: The expiration of enhanced credits means that middle-income families who previously qualified for financial help may now see their out-of-pocket costs double or triple.
The "Subsidy Cliff": Without the enhancements, individuals earning more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level may lose eligibility for tax credits entirely.
Medical Inflation: Rising costs for labor, hospital services, and specialized medications (like GLP-1 weight-loss drugs) have led insurers to request double-digit rate increases in many states.
If you are worried about why 2026 health insurance is so expensive, don't simply let your current plan auto-renew.
Log In and Update: Go to HealthCare.gov or your state exchange to update your expected 2026 income. Even a small change in income could affect your subsidy eligibility.
Compare Silver vs. Gold: In some markets, "Gold" plans may actually be more cost-effective than "Silver" plans when subsidies shift.
Check for State-Based Subsidies: States like California and New Jersey offer additional state-funded subsidies that can help offset the loss of federal enhanced credits.
Don't wait until the last minute. Mark January 15th on your calendar to ensure you have protection for the year ahead. Give our licesned sales agents a call and we can help you explore plan options available to you!
A licensed agent can be reached at 1-855-952-1941 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM (CST). Weekend appointments available.