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How the ACA Marketplace works

The Marketplace is where you can compare and enroll in individual health plans. Which site you use depends on your state.

5 min read · Last updated · 6 cited sources · Published by Simple Insurance Guide · How we verify

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Key takeaways

  • Each state has one official marketplace, run by the state, the federal government or both, and many states use HealthCare.gov.
  • Open enrollment is a period each year. A special enrollment period is available after certain life events.
  • Help paying for coverage depends on income, household size and state, and the rules can change.
  • Compare plans by total cost, network and covered drugs, not by premium alone.

Your state's marketplace

Choose your state

Select your state to see how this applies where you live.

The basics

Each state has one official marketplace, run by the state, the federal government, or both. Many states use the federal platform, HealthCare.gov, and a growing number run their own, such as Covered California, NY State of Health and Pennie. CMS lists the state-based exchanges.

Open enrollment for 2027 coverage

In states that use HealthCare.gov, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027, according to CMS. Pick a plan by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. Plans chosen from December 16 to January 15 start February 1.

A 2025 rule would have ended the federal window on December 15. A federal court vacated that part of the rule on June 12, 2026, and CMS has confirmed the longer schedule for this year. State-run marketplaces can set their own dates, so check yours.

When you can enroll

  • Open enrollment is a period each year when you can buy or change coverage. Dates vary, especially on state-based marketplaces.
  • A special enrollment period is available after certain life events, such as losing health coverage, moving, getting married, or having or adopting a child. HealthCare.gov says you usually have 60 days before or after the event.
  • You can enroll in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time.

Help paying for coverage

Financial help may be available depending on factors such as income, household size and state, and the rules can change. Check the current rules on your marketplace site before you decide.

A short checklist

  1. Find your state's marketplace and confirm the current enrollment dates.
  2. Gather your household and income information.
  3. Compare plans by total cost, network and covered drugs, not only the premium.
  4. Keep confirmation of your enrollment and your first payment.

Questions

Is HealthCare.gov the same as my state's marketplace?

Not always. In states with their own marketplace, you enroll on the state's site. HealthCare.gov can point you to it.

What if I miss open enrollment?

You may still enroll if you qualify for a special enrollment period. Check the qualifying events on HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace.

Sources

Update log

  • : Added the confirmed open enrollment dates for 2027 coverage.

Informational only. Rules and policy terms change and differ by state and insurer. Confirm details with your policy, your insurer or your state insurance department.

Keep exploring

ACA Open Enrollment Checklist for 2027 CoverageOpen enrollment for 2027 starts November 1. Use this checklist to compare plans and pick one before the December 15 and January 15 deadlines.
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Which States Run Their Own Health Insurance Marketplace?See which states run their own ACA marketplace and which use HealthCare.gov, based on 2026 listings, with a link to each state.
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