Open enrollment for 2027 health insurance begins Nov. 1. In both New York (NY State of Health) and New Jersey (Get Covered NJ), enrollment runs through Jan. 31, longer than the federal marketplace, which closes Jan. 15. However, to have coverage starting Jan. 1, you must complete your application by Dec. 15. Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan accept enrollment year-round for those who qualify.
Open enrollment for 2027 health insurance begins Nov. 1. For self-employed people, freelancers and small business owners without employer coverage, it is a once-a-year opportunity.
New York and New Jersey each run their own marketplace: NY State of Health in New York and Get Covered NJ in New Jersey. Both accept applications through Jan. 31. That is two weeks longer than the federal site used in other states (HealthCare.gov), which closes on Jan. 15.
The Deadline That Really Matters: Dec. 15
Many people overlook one detail here. Just because the enrollment period runs through Jan. 31 does not mean you can wait. If you do, you could go all of January without insurance. To have coverage start on Jan. 1, you must complete your application by Dec. 15. Applications submitted after that push the start of coverage to Feb. 1.
Some programs let people with income below certain thresholds enroll at any time, regardless of open enrollment. In New York, Medicaid, Child Health Plus and the Essential Plan accept applications year-round. Families with children should check separately, because even when the adults do not qualify, the children often can enroll in Child Health Plus.
If you miss the enrollment period, all is not lost. A special enrollment period opens if you have a qualifying life event, such as marriage, the birth of a child, a move or the loss of employer coverage. However, you must apply within a set period after the event occurs, and you may be asked to provide documentation.
Leaving Last Year's Plan Untouched Could Cost You
Even people who already have a marketplace plan should review it rather than simply let it renew automatically. Insurers change plan designs and premiums every year, and if your income has changed, the amount of subsidy you qualify for changes too. It is also common for people to visit a hospital they used last year, not knowing it has dropped out of the network this year, and then receive a bill.
If English-language paperwork is a burden, you can get free counseling. Both states run certified navigator programs, and some Korean American organizations and community groups offer counseling in Korean. These services do not charge fees, so be careful not to confuse them with insurance brokers.
Also, in New Jersey, starting Oct. 1, Medicaid eligibility will change for about 25,000 lawfully present non-citizens. Those who lose eligibility can find replacement plans through Get Covered NJ, and a separate special enrollment period will be open from October through December.