Know before you renew.
ACA marketplace closes December 15. Medicare closes December 7. Employer deadlines vary. Review your plan before the window closes.
This open enrollment season is different.
ACA marketplace closes December 15
Previous years gave enrollees until January 15 in many states. Starting with 2027 coverage, HealthCare.gov states close December 15. If you miss it, you wait until next year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Subsidies that reduced costs expired
Enhanced premium tax credits in place since 2021 expired at the end of 2025. Many enrollees are seeing significantly higher premiums in 2026. 2027 plans are worth comparing carefully before renewing.
Plans change networks and formularies
Even if your premium is stable, your plan's provider network and drug formulary may have changed. Your doctor or prescription may no longer be covered the same way.
Your deadline depends on your coverage type.
ACA Marketplace
Deadline: December 15, 2026
Coverage starts: January 1, 2027
Who: People buying their own insurance not through an employer or Medicare
Analyze my ACA planMedicare
Deadline: December 7, 2026
Coverage starts: January 1, 2027
Who: People 65 or older or on Medicare disability. Note: your ANOC letter arrives in September. Review it immediately.
Review my Medicare planEmployer
Deadline: Varies, check with HR
Coverage starts: Usually January 1
Who: People with job-based coverage. Note: open enrollment is often the only time to increase voluntary life insurance without medical underwriting.
Review my employer planThree steps before you lock in coverage.
Describe your situation or upload your plan documents so we can anchor the review to what you actually have.
Get a plain-language analysis of whether your plan still fits your doctors, drugs, and expected usage.
Use the checklist tool to make sure nothing important slips before your hard enrollment deadline.
Built for busy enrollment season.
Open Enrollment Plan Analyzer
Structured review for ACA marketplace, Medicare, or employer packets with optional document upload.
Get startedOpen Enrollment Checklist
Describe what changed this year and receive a prioritized checklist tied to your coverage type.
Get startedBill Advantage is a document literacy tool. Nothing on this page constitutes legal, medical, or financial advice. Always verify deadlines with HealthCare.gov, your state exchange, Medicare, or your employer.