Open Enrollment is the one window each year when any Texas resident can enroll in or change a marketplace health insurance plan without needing a Qualifying Life Event. For the 2026 plan year it runs from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026, with January 1, 2026 effective dates if you enroll by December 15, 2025.
Key dates
- November 1, 2025 — Open Enrollment begins.
- December 15, 2025 — Last day to enroll for January 1 coverage.
- January 15, 2026 — Open Enrollment ends; last day to enroll for the year.
- After January 15 — You'll need a Qualifying Life Event to enroll.
What changed for 2026
Premium tax credits enhanced under the Inflation Reduction Act remain in effect through plan year 2025 — there is active legislation around their continuation into 2026. We'll update this post as final guidance lands. In the meantime, most Texas households earning under 400% of the federal poverty level continue to qualify for some level of premium subsidy.
What to gather before enrolling
- Estimated 2026 household income (for subsidy calculation).
- List of current prescriptions (with dosage).
- Doctors and hospitals you want to keep in-network.
- ZIP code (premiums vary by county / rating area).