Open Enrollment 2026: What you need to know about picking health insurance

Let’s face it—health insurance can be confusing. But open enrollment is your annual opportunity to take control of your coverage and make choices that work best for you and your family.

Spending just a little time reviewing your options now can help you save money, reduce stress, and ensure you're prepared for whatever life throws your way. To help you feel more confident and in control, here’s what you need to know to navigate open enrollment successfully.

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When is open enrollment in 2026 and when does it take place?

Open enrollment is a short period of time when you choose your health insurance for the upcoming year. If you have health insurance through your job, your employer will tell you when the open enrollment period takes place – generally, two to four weeks in November or December for coverage starting in January.

If you don’t have employer-sponsored health insurance and want to purchase health insurance on Pennie, Pennsylvania’s insurance marketplace, open enrollment runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 for coverage in 2026.

  • If you sign up between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15, your coverage starts Jan. 1, 2026.
  • If you enroll between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, your coverage begins Feb. 1, 2026.

Finally, if you’re a senior age 65 and older, you can enroll in Medicare between Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2025 for 2026 coverage.

In most cases, the choices you make during open enrollment are locked in for the year—but there are a few exceptions, like if you lose your health coverage, get married, or have a child. In these cases, you may be eligible for a special enrollment period to purchase or switch your plan.

What information do I need for open enrollment?

Before you start completing the open enrollment process online, make sure you have the basic information you’ll need to enroll. That includes the names, birth dates, and social security numbers of everyone you want to cover under your plan.

You can cover children in your household up to the age of 26. Some employer-sponsored health plans only allow you to cover a spouse/partner if he/she does not have access to insurance through his/her job.

Having this information available before you start the enrollment process will make it smoother, faster, and less frustrating.

How do I choose the best health insurance plan for open enrollment?

The open enrollment process often presents you with multiple plans from which to choose.

It’s important to review key differences in these plans, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and provider networks. Here are other tips for choosing a health plan.

Another option to help you with health care expenses is a Health Savings Account (HSA), which can be paired with an HSA-compatible employer-sponsored or individual health plan.

An HSA can help you save money by letting you set aside funds before taxes to pay for health expenses. That means you’re using tax-free dollars to pay for IRS-qualified medical expenses—like prescriptions, doctor visits, or even some over-the-counter items—saving you money.

When does open enrollment end?

This year, open enrollment for 2026 health insurance marketplace plans ends on Jan. 15, 2026. The annual Medicare open enrollment period will end on Dec. 7, 2025. Your employer’s open enrollment dates may vary.

It’s tempting to put off making your selections, but waiting too long can lead to rushed decisions—or missing the deadline altogether. If you have employer sponsored health insurance, you won’t be automatically enrolled in a plan just because you had coverage last year.

Start reviewing your options as soon as open enrollment begins. That way, you’ll have time to think through your choices and avoid any surprises in the new plan year.

This is not medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. The information provided is meant for a general audience. Capital Blue Cross and its affiliated companies believe this health education resource provides useful information but does not assume any liability associated with its use.