Your Insurance Detective › California › Open enrollment 2027
When Is Covered California Open Enrollment for 2027? Dates, the Deadline, and the Special Enrollment Period
Written and reviewed by Dick Tracy, licensed health insurance broker (NPN 20414610) · Published September 18, 2026
Quick answer Covered California open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027. Pick a plan by December 31, 2026 and it starts January 1, 2027. Pick one in January and it starts February 1. Current members can renew or switch starting October 1, and October 15 is the automatic renewal opt-out cutoff. You may have read that the window got shorter. A federal rule did shorten it, a federal court vacated that part of the rule on June 12, 2026, and the case is on appeal, so my advice is to be done by December 15 anyway. California state law sets November 1 to January 31. Group plans have no window at all. I educate, you decide.
I'm Dick Tracy, an independent health insurance broker. I'm licensed in California (NPN 20414610), one of 25 states I hold a license in, and I work with 80+ carriers. My office is in Buffalo, New York, and I work with Californians on the phone or on Zoom with the documents on the screen. I came from the healthcare side of this business, so there is no gag clause on me. You get the tips, the tricks, and the traps. The trap on this page: plenty of websites still print the wrong end date for this year's window.
and runs through Jan. 31, 2027
that starts Jan. 1, 2027
increase for 2027
Sources: Covered California, 2027 rates and plans news release, July 21, 2026 and Renewals Quick Guide, August 20, 2026. Last verified September 18, 2026.
What are the Covered California open enrollment dates for 2027?
Every row comes from Covered California's own documents or California statute.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | Current members can renew or switch plans. Renewal notices with the 2027 premium go out at the beginning of October. |
| October 15, 2026 | Automatic renewal opt-out cutoff. After this date you must contact Covered California to opt out of 2027 renewal. |
| November 1, 2026 | Open enrollment begins. Anyone can sign up or change plans. |
| December 31, 2026 | Deadline to pick a plan for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. |
| January 31, 2027 | Open enrollment ends. |
| February 1, 2027 | Coverage starts for anyone who picks a plan in January. |
Sources: Covered California news release, July 21, 2026 (October 1, November 1, January 31); Renewals Quick Guide, August 20, 2026 (October 15, December 31); Health and Safety Code 1399.848 and coverage start rules (February 1); dates and deadlines. Covered California notes dates "may change based on future court decisions" (important changes).
Coverage usually starts the first day of the month after you pick a plan. Miss December 31 by a day and you start February 1, with a January gap. California still charges a tax penalty for going uninsured, though a gap of three months or less is exempt. Details: California health insurance penalty.
Do nothing and Covered California renews you into the same plan automatically, if it still exists and you are still eligible. Handy if you are staying. A problem if you are leaving and forget to say so.
Why do some websites say the open enrollment deadline got shorter?
Because for a while, that was the plan. Here are the facts in order, with no opinion from me.
- The federal rule. In 2025 the federal government finalized the Marketplace Integrity and Affordability rule (90 FR 27074). One piece of it shortened the annual open enrollment period starting with the 2027 plan year, and many websites printed that.
- The court ruling. On June 12, 2026, in City of Columbus v. Kennedy, a federal district court in Maryland vacated certain provisions of that rule. Covered California's Federal Changes Quick Guide, dated June 19, 2026, says open enrollment reverts "to the normal three-month period of November 1 through January 31." CMS confirmed the order in a July 22, 2026 statement.
- The appeal. The federal government appealed to the Fourth Circuit, and the length of open enrollment is one of the issues. Oral argument is scheduled for October 30, 2026, per the Georgetown Health Care Litigation Tracker.
- California law. Separately, California statute requires individual plans to offer an annual enrollment period from November 1 to January 31 (Health and Safety Code 1399.848; Insurance Code 10965.4).
- For comparison. HealthCare.gov, which California does not use, lists November 1 to January 15, with December 15 as the deadline for a January 1 start (HealthCare.gov dates and deadlines).
Does the open enrollment period apply if I buy directly from the carrier?
Yes. California law applies the same November 1 to January 31 window to individual plans sold outside the exchange, with the same effective dates: pick by December 31 for January 1, pick in January for February 1 (HSC 1399.848(a) and (c); INS 10965.4). Buying direct does not get you around the calendar, and California bans short-term plans, so there is no individual plan to pick up in June just because you want one.
| Type of coverage | When you can start it |
|---|---|
| Individual plan, through Covered California or direct from the carrier | November 1 to January 31, or within a special enrollment period |
| Medi-Cal | Any time. Enrollment is year round. |
| Small business group coverage | Any time during the year |
| A pre-established ERISA group plan | Group plans are not tied to the individual open enrollment calendar |
Sources: HSC 1399.848; Covered California, when to apply for Medi-Cal; Covered California for Small Business.
What is the Covered California special enrollment period, and what events qualify?
Outside the window, you need a qualifying life event. Most special enrollment periods last 60 days from the date of the event (Covered California, qualifying life events; HSC 1399.849(d)). Losing Medi-Cal gets 90 days (Covered California, special enrollment). Coverage usually starts the first of the following month. For a birth, adoption, or foster placement it can start on the date of the event.
Covered California's list of qualifying events:
- Lost or will soon lose your health insurance (see COBRA vs. Cal-COBRA)
- Got married or entered into a domestic partnership
- Had a baby, adopted a child, or began fostering a child
- Permanently moved to or within California
- Gained citizenship or lawful presence
- Returned from active-duty military service
- Released from jail or prison
- Domestic abuse or spousal abandonment
- Member of a federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribe
- Newly qualifies for a health insurance stipend
- Other major life change
- California-specific: you paid the state penalty to the Franchise Tax Board because you had no health insurance in the previous tax year
- California-specific: you were affected by a wildfire or another disaster that led to a declared state of emergency in California
Two traps. First, the monthly special enrollment period for people with household income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level is gone. Covered California's Federal Changes Quick Guide says it was in effect through August 31, 2025 and was removed from the system on September 1, 2025. Second, proof. Covered California may ask a random sample of special enrollment sign-ups for proof of the life event. Without acceptable proof within 30 days of the notice, coverage can be terminated (Special Enrollment Period Verification Quick Guide, November 14, 2025). Keep your paperwork.
What changes for Covered California in 2027?
| Change | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Rates | A preliminary weighted average increase of 9.9%, against a preliminary national median of 14%. Last year was 10.3%. Still subject to final regulator review. |
| Enhanced federal credits | Ended December 31, 2025 and not extended as of Covered California's July 21, 2026 release. The federal credit again stops at 400% of the federal poverty level: one dollar over and it is zero. |
| Repaying excess credits | Beginning with the 2026 tax year, filed in 2027, people who received too much financial help may have to pay back the full amount (Pub. L. 119-21, sec. 71305). |
| California state subsidy | $300 million appropriated, up from $190 million. Incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level ($31,920 for an individual, $66,000 for a family of four) will be eligible. More than 500,000 people are projected to receive it. |
| Carriers | CalOptima Health enters in Region 18 to serve Orange County. Molina Healthcare will no longer offer marketplace plans in Regions 15 and 18. Its approximately 1,600 enrollees there can choose a new plan. |
| Immigrant eligibility | Effective January 1, 2027, federal financial help ends for many lawfully present immigrants. Lawful permanent residents (green card holders), Cuban and Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants keep eligibility. Covered California expects over 130,000 consumers to be affected. |
Sources: Covered California news release, July 21, 2026 (rates, subsidy, carriers); important changes (credits, repayment); Federal Changes Quick Guide (immigrant eligibility); Pub. L. 119-21, secs. 71301 and 71305.
On the immigrant change: the people affected lose the tax credits and cost-sharing help, not the ability to buy a plan at full price. The guide estimates an average premium increase of approximately $650 per member per month.
Under the 400% line, a low income guess now gets paid back in full, so run the MAGI calculator and check my income limits page. Over the line, a 9.9% increase with no credit is where the math doesn't math for a lot of healthy people. Price anchors: my California monthly cost page.
What if I miss the open enrollment deadline, or do not want to wait for November?
The November to January calendar governs individual plans. It does not govern group coverage. Covered California's own small business page says it in one line: "Employers can buy health insurance at any time during the year."
Then there is the option I lead with for a healthy owner who earns too much for a subsidy: the pre-established ERISA group plan. ERISA is the 1974 federal law that governs employer benefit plans. Group plans already exist under it, and a solo owner or a small business's people can be merged into one. Group rates, a true nationwide PPO network (PHCS and MultiPlan type), a policy you own, and the business can be the payer. No employees required, and one simple compliance step I walk you through. Group plans are not tied to the individual open enrollment calendar. Here is the ERISA cheat code, explained.
So a healthy self-employed Californian over the subsidy line is not stuck waiting for November or racing a January deadline. Networks matter too: see my PPO health insurance in California page.
Healthy, self-employed, income over the subsidy line
Price the pre-established ERISA group plan first, in any month. Then compare it against an individual plan at full price. If you are leaving Covered California, mind the October 15 opt-out date. All four California doors, in order, are here.
Income under the subsidy lines
A subsidized plan or Medi-Cal may be your best deal, and I will tell you so. The trade-offs: narrower regional networks, an income estimate you must get right, and full repayment if you guess low. Run the subsidy calculator, preset for California, then bring me the number.
Small business owner with a few employees
You have no window to wait for. Three routes: traditional fully insured small group, the pre-established ERISA group merge, or no group plan at all. I customize the plan based on the situation, often cost-effective customized individual plans instead of a one-size-fits-all group plan. Details on my small business health insurance in California page.
Lost coverage in the middle of the year
The clock is 60 days, or 90 if it was Medi-Cal. Call me in week one, not week eight.
A serious diagnosis in the last five years
Guaranteed-issue coverage, for now. California individual plans cannot ask health questions, on or off the exchange. Take that protection, do not miss the window, and we revisit the other doors later.
Common questions about Covered California open enrollment 2027
When is Covered California open enrollment for 2027?
Covered California open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027, according to Covered California's July 21, 2026 news release. Current members can renew or switch plans starting October 1, 2026. California statute (Health and Safety Code 1399.848) sets the same window. A federal case about the length of open enrollment is on appeal, and Covered California notes that dates may change based on future court decisions.
What is the Covered California open enrollment deadline for coverage starting January 1, 2027?
December 31, 2026. Covered California's Renewals Quick Guide, dated August 20, 2026, says to complete renewal by December 31, 2026 for coverage effective January 1, 2027, and California Health and Safety Code 1399.848 sets the same rule for new sign-ups. Pick a plan in January and coverage starts February 1, 2027. My advice is to be finished by December 15, because the length of the window is part of a federal appeal.
Did Covered California open enrollment get shorter for 2027?
No, not as things stand on September 18, 2026. A 2025 federal rule shortened the annual open enrollment period starting with the 2027 plan year. On June 12, 2026, a federal district court vacated that provision in City of Columbus v. Kennedy, and Covered California says the window reverts to November 1 through January 31. The federal government has appealed, with oral argument scheduled for October 30, 2026, per the Georgetown Health Care Litigation Tracker.
When is the next Covered California open enrollment period?
The next Covered California open enrollment period begins November 1, 2026 and ends January 31, 2027, for coverage in 2027. Under California Health and Safety Code 1399.848, the window runs November 1 to January 31 every year. Outside of it, an individual plan requires a qualifying life event. Medi-Cal is open year round, and group coverage for a business can start in any month.
What is the Covered California special enrollment period?
It is a window to buy an individual plan outside open enrollment after a qualifying life event. Covered California says most special enrollment periods last 60 days from the date of the event, and losing Medi-Cal gives you 90 days. Covered California may ask a random sample of people for proof, and coverage can be terminated if it is not provided within 30 days of the notice.
What are the Covered California special enrollment events?
Covered California's list includes losing health coverage, marriage or domestic partnership, a birth, adoption, or foster placement, a permanent move to or within California, gaining citizenship or lawful presence, returning from active-duty military service, release from jail or prison, and domestic abuse or spousal abandonment. Two are specific to California: paying the state penalty for being uninsured in the previous tax year, and being affected by a wildfire or other declared state of emergency.
Can I buy health insurance in California outside of open enrollment?
An individual plan, only with a qualifying life event, whether you buy through Covered California or directly from the carrier. California law applies the same November 1 to January 31 window to both. Medi-Cal is open year round. Group coverage is different: Covered California's small business page says employers can buy health insurance at any time during the year, and group plans are not tied to the individual open enrollment calendar.
How much are Covered California rates going up in 2027?
Covered California announced a preliminary weighted average rate increase of 9.9% for 2027 in its July 21, 2026 news release, compared with a preliminary national median increase of 14%. The 2026 increase was 10.3%. The figure is an average and is still subject to final regulator review. The enhanced federal credits ended December 31, 2025.
Thirty minutes on the phone or Zoom, no fee, no hard sell. Bring your age, county, a rough income number, and how you use care. I put the California doors that fit you side by side, including the ones with no enrollment window, before you lock anything in for 2027. I educate, you decide.
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