Open Enrollment 2027 is coming. Here’s what to do first.

Published June 26, 2026 · By Tom Wertish, Options.Health

Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1 through December 31, 2026 — and this year MNsure simplified it to a single deadline with a single coverage start date of January 1, 2027. That’s a real change from recent years, which split enrollees into two groups with two different start dates depending on when they signed up. Here’s what to do before the window opens.

What’s different this year

In past years, enrolling by December 15 got you a January 1 start date, while enrolling between December 16 and January 15 pushed your start to February 1. For 2027 coverage, that split is gone: everyone who enrolls between November 1 and December 31, 2026 gets coverage starting January 1, 2027 — no exceptions for a later signup date within the window. Miss December 31, and you’re generally waiting for a qualifying life event or next year’s open enrollment.

What to gather before November 1

• An income estimate for 2027 — your subsidy is based on projected household income, not last year’s tax return. A rough number now saves a scramble later.
• Your current provider list — networks change year to year, even for carriers you’ve used before. Confirm your doctors are still in-network on next year’s plan before you commit.
• A current prescription list — formularies change annually too. A drug that was covered this year isn’t guaranteed to be covered the same way next year.
• Any household changes — a new dependent, a change in marital status, or a job change can shift both your subsidy and which plans make sense.

Why your subsidy might look different this year

Subsidy amounts move with both your income and the benchmark plan price in your county, so a subsidy that felt right last year isn’t guaranteed to carry over unchanged. If you want the specifics on what’s driving subsidy changes for 2026–2027, see our related post on why your MNsure subsidy might change this year.

Should you still shop if you’re happy with your plan?

Yes — even a plan you like can change quietly underneath you. Carriers adjust premiums, networks, and drug formularies every single year, sometimes without much public notice. A five-minute comparison during open enrollment is cheap insurance against finding out about a change in March, after you’re already locked in for the year.