2027 Health Insurance Open Enrollment Starts November 1: Deadlines for Maryland, Virginia and DC

By Joshua Lavine, CEO and Company Culture Expert, Capitol Benefits  ·  Last updated October 23, 2026

Open enrollment for 2027 individual health coverage opens November 1, 2026 in Maryland, Virginia and the District, and the three marketplaces close on three different dates: Maryland Health Connection on January 15, 2027, Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace on January 29 and DC Health Link on January 31. If you want coverage in force on January 1, you have to enroll by your marketplace’s December cutoff, which falls well before that final deadline.

This post is for the people who most often find themselves shopping on their own: the self-employed, early retirees not yet on Medicare, people between jobs, contractors, and small business owners who do not offer a group plan.

Two neighbours to this decision. If you are turning 65 or already on Medicare, the rules and dates are different, and what to know before Medicare open enrollment covers them. If you own a small business and have been buying your own coverage because a group plan looked out of reach, our plain English guide to small business health insurance options is worth ten minutes before you renew.

The DMV does not share one deadline

Each jurisdiction runs its own marketplace, and each sets its own closing date:

• Maryland Health Connection: November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027
• Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace: November 1, 2026 through January 29, 2027
• DC Health Link: November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027

The final deadline is not the same as the date that gets you covered on January 1. Each marketplace has an earlier December cutoff for a January 1 start, and enrolling after it usually means coverage begins in February. If you want no gap, plan to finish by mid-December.

A federal rule that would have shortened open enrollment nationwide was set aside by a court earlier this year, and that case is still on appeal. The dates above are the ones the marketplaces are publishing now. We will update this post if anything changes.

Why premiums went up, and why your number may be different

The Maryland Insurance Administration approved an average increase of 14.6 percent for 2027 individual plans, a bit above the 13.7 percent carriers first requested. A big driver is that the enhanced federal premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, along with rising hospital and prescription drug costs.

An average is not your price, though. Many marketplace shoppers still qualify for federal premium tax credits based on household income, and Maryland offers its own state premium assistance to eligible residents with household incomes under 400 percent of the federal poverty level. For some households that help absorbs most of the increase. For others, especially those just above the income limits, the change will be noticeable.

The only way to know is to update your income estimate and compare actual plans side by side.

Leaving a job? Compare COBRA and the marketplace

If you are leaving an employer plan, you do not have to wait for open enrollment. Losing job-based coverage opens a Special Enrollment Period, generally 60 days, to choose a marketplace plan.

COBRA lets you keep the exact plan and doctors you have, but you usually pay the full premium plus an administrative fee. A marketplace plan may cost less, especially if you qualify for financial help, but the network and deductible will likely be different. It is worth pricing both before deciding.

A short checklist before you renew

1. Update your expected 2027 household income so your financial help is calculated correctly.
2. Confirm your doctors, specialists and hospital are in next year’s network.
3. Check how your regular prescriptions are covered.
4. Compare the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, not just the monthly premium.
5. Do not rely on auto-renewal. It keeps you covered, but it may not keep you in the best plan.
6. Put your marketplace’s December cutoff on the calendar if you want coverage on January 1.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does open enrollment start for 2027 health insurance?

November 1, 2026, on Maryland Health Connection, Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace and DC Health Link.

When does open enrollment end in Maryland, Virginia and DC?

Maryland Health Connection closes January 15, 2027. Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace closes January 29, 2027. DC Health Link closes January 31, 2027.

How do I make sure my coverage starts January 1?

Enroll by your marketplace’s December cutoff. Enrolling later in the open enrollment window usually means coverage starts February 1 or later.

How much are Maryland individual health insurance rates going up for 2027?

The Maryland Insurance Administration approved an average increase of 14.6 percent for unsubsidized 2027 individual plans. What you pay depends on your plan and any financial help you qualify for.

Is financial help still available?

Yes. Federal premium tax credits are still available to eligible households, although the enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025. Maryland also offers state premium assistance to eligible residents with household incomes under 400 percent of the federal poverty level.

Can I sign up outside open enrollment?

Only with a qualifying life event, such as losing job-based coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby. These open a Special Enrollment Period, generally 60 days.

Should I choose COBRA or a marketplace plan?

COBRA keeps your current plan and doctors but is often more expensive. A marketplace plan may cost less, especially with financial help, but the network and deductible will be different. Compare both before deciding.

Related reading from Capitol Benefits

• Turning 65 and Still Working? What to Know Before Medicare Open Enrollment, if anyone in your household is approaching Medicare
• Employee Benefits in DC, Maryland and Virginia, for small business owners weighing a group plan instead
• Personal Insurance at Capitol Benefits, for the rest of your household’s coverage