If you’re a Smart Senior Daily reader, chances are you know the drill: Open Enrollment comes, Open Enrollment goes — and then you stop thinking about it.
So when we received an email saying “Open Enrollment is happening now!” we scratched our heads and investigated the situation.
Here’s what’s seems to be going on.
What we found out...
If you're like most of us, you probably thought that Open Enrollment closed on December 15, 2025. And it did – for January 1, 2026 coverage.
However, Open Enrollment for Marketplace health plans ends/ended January 15 in most areas with some states extending to January 31, 2026.
States with extended deadlines
These states (and D.C.) have Open Enrollment that runs through January 31, 2026 — meaning you can sign up for or change Marketplace plans until the end of the month according to KFF:
- California — enroll through January 31
- New Jersey — enroll through January 31
- New York — enroll through January 31
- Rhode Island — enroll through January 31
- Washington, D.C. — enroll through January 31
📍 Other States with Later but Slightly Shorter Extensions
- Massachusetts — enroll through January 23
- Virginia — enroll through January 30
That hasn’t changed.
What has changed is how aggressively Healthcare.gov promotes coverage outside that window — especially to older adults whose work and income situations are shifting.
The loophole that matters: Special Enrollment
Healthcare.gov allows people to enroll year-round if they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
Instead of explaining that clearly in subject lines, they often use a simpler — and confusing — phrase: Open Enrollment is happening now.
What they really mean is:
“You might qualify to enroll right now, even though the main window is closed.”
And for seniors, that’s often true.
Gary P Guthrie
Why seniors are more likely to qualify
Two situations come up again and again for people 55+:
1. You lost or left employer coverage
Retirement, semi-retirement, or job changes are qualifying life events. If you recently stopped working — or are planning to — you’re squarely in SEP territory.
2. Your income looks different now
Living on savings, part-time work, consulting income, or delayed Social Security can dramatically lower your “Marketplace income” — sometimes enough to unlock:
- Much larger premium tax credits
- $0–$50 monthly premiums
- Year-round enrollment eligibility
Many people assume subsidies disappeared after 2021. They didn’t.
That line about “most consumers qualify for financial assistance”?
That part is true.
Roughly 4 out of 5 Marketplace enrollees receive subsidies, and older adults often qualify for larger credits because premiums rise with age.
The catch:
You only see those plans if you’re allowed to enroll right now.
Which brings us to the practical part.
Quick Checklist: Does This Apply to You?
Use this as a fast gut-check before you click anything.
You may be able to enroll now if:
- You retired or left a job in the past 60 days
- You’ll lose employer coverage soon
- Your income dropped unexpectedly
- You’re self-employed or working part-time
- You moved to a new ZIP code
- You got married, divorced, or added a dependent
You probably can’t enroll now if:
- Nothing about your job, income, or household changed
- You already have Marketplace coverage and just want to switch plans
- You’re enrolled in Medicare (this email doesn’t apply to you)
Smart next step:
- Start an application on Healthcare.gov
- Answer the life-event and income questions
- Stop if the site says you’re not eligible — no penalty, no obligation
You’ll know quickly whether the email is relevant or just noise.
The bottom line
Healthcare.gov’s marketing isn’t a scam — but it’s not exactly plain-spoken either.
Open Enrollment didn’t reopen.
Special Enrollment never really closed.
And for many seniors navigating retirement, income changes, or early Medicare decisions, that distinction can mean real money.
Health Insurance Disclaimer: Smart Senior Daily provides general information only and does not offer medical, legal, or insurance advice. Health insurance eligibility, subsidies, and plan availability depend on individual circumstances and may change. Always verify details directly with Healthcare.gov or a licensed health insurance professional before enrolling or making coverage decisions.
){kind=link}