Open enrollment is a time each year when individuals can make changes to their health insurance coverage or enroll in a new plan. Coverage begins at a specified date after open enrollment and usually runs a full year. o matter how you get your health insurance — through an employer, the Marketplace, Medicare, or another type of plan — you can use the open enrollment period to look at your options and make sure your plan still works for you.

Open Enrollment Dates for 2026 Coverage

*Those enrolled in Medicare Advantage by Dec. 31 can make changes to another Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare from January 1 through March 31. 

** Some states may vary, so check with the state marketplace website to confirm deadline.

During open enrollment, you should reevaluate your choices even if you are satisfied with your current plan. Even if your plan looks the same, there may be changes in the fine print. It is always worth checking. There are several factors to consider:

• Can I afford the monthly premium and deductible? When do I expect to reach the deductible?
• Does the plan cover my CF care center, physicians, hospitals, and prescriptions?
• If considering a transplant, is my transplant center part of my network coverage?
• How much will I have to pay for each type of care — like prescriptions, hospital stays, lab tests, and visits to my care center?
• Will I need prior authorization for medications or services?
• Are there other types of insurance plans that may be more appropriate for my needs?

Employer-Based (Group) Plan

If you are insured through your employer, your employer decides when you can enroll in their coverage or make changes to a current plan. Most employers hold open enrollment in the fall, and coverage is often from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. However, your employer may have different open enrollment and coverage periods. Your human resources department or a third-party plan administrator can provide you with detailed information.

Your employer or plan administrator should provide the following information during open enrollment:

• Open enrollment dates
• Summary of benefits for each available plan option
• Member handbook or evidence of coverage document
• Website link or PDF document for provider network search for each available plan option
• Website link or PDF document for list of covered medications for each available plan option
• List of the employee’s insurance premium per pay period for each plan option

Health Insurance Marketplace Plans

If you get your health insurance through the Marketplace (also sometimes called the Health Insurance Exchange), you can typically make changes or enroll in a new plan between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15. These changes will start with the next year’s plan. If you enroll between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15, your plan will start on Jan. 1. If you enroll between Jan. 1 and Jan. 15, your new plan will start on Feb. 1. Healthcare.gov has a list of states with their own exchanges. Visit your state’s exchange (if applicable) to check your state’s open enrollment dates.

You may have heard that your current plan will no longer be available in the next plan year. If your current plan is no longer offered and you don’t pick a new one, the system will automatically choose a plan for you and/or your family that costs about the same. This new plan won’t be checked to make sure it covers your CF needs, like your care center or medications. 

Even if your plan is still available, it is helpful to see if any new plan options or insurance companies offer plans next year in your area. You should also check whether changes to your income or household size will affect your ability to get Marketplace subsidies, which can help to reduce your costs and make health insurance more affordable.

Private Plans Purchased Directly From an Insurance Company

Insurance companies in your area may offer plans outside of the Marketplace. These plans also follow the same open enrollment dates from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15. If you are ineligible for Marketplace subsidies, or none of the Marketplace plans works for you, you might be able to buy a plan directly from a health insurance company. Healthcare.gov offers a plan search tool for browsing private plan options in your area. If you had a private plan in the previous year, you will be automatically renewed for the following plan year if you do not make any changes. It is important to double check every year that your plan still works for you.

Medicare

If you are on a Medicare plan, it is important to look for new plan options or Medicare Advantage companies during open enrollment. Check to see if your plan is changing any extra benefits such as dental, vision, food support, wellness programs, transportation to appointments, or home modification. You should also think about whether your income, resources, or household size have changed, since that may affect your eligibility for Medicare Extra Help or the Medicare Savings Program. If you are eligible for Medicare Extra Help or have Medicare and Medicaid at the same time, you can make changes once every three months from Jan. to Sep. These changes will start on the first day of the next month. People with CF can make changes anytime during the annual open enrollment period in the last three months of the year.

• Original Medicare: If you currently have Medicare Part A, Part B, or Part D, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan or switch to a different Part D prescription coverage during the open enrollment period between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. Changes made during this period will start on Jan. 1 of the following year. You must already be enrolled in Part A and Part B to make changes during this period. If you delayed enrollment in Part B when you first became eligible, this annual open enrollment period may not apply. You can enroll in Part B during Medicare general enrollment period from Jan. 1 and Mar. 31 and your Part B will start on the first day of the following month.  
• Medicare Advantage Plan: If you currently have a Medicare Advantage plan, there are two open enrollment periods. Between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, you can drop your Medicare Advantage plan, go back to Original Medicare and pick up a separate Part D drug plan, or you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan. The second chance to make changes is between Jan. 1 and Mar. 31. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan on Jan. 1, you can switch to Original Medicare and Part D, or switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.
• Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan: Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans have a short enrollment period. You have six months from the start of your Medicare Part B plan to buy a Medicare Supplement plan or make changes to the one you already have. After those six months, it might be harder to get a supplement plan — you may have to pay more or wait for coverage for a pre-existing condition. You are not allowed to have a Medicare Supplement plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.

Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Plan

There is no annual open enrollment period for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can apply for coverage at any time of the year. If you are currently on a managed care Medicaid plan, there may be a limited period that you can make changes or switch to a different managed care Medicaid plan.

I Do Not Have Any Insurance

If you did not have insurance for more than 60 days, you may only be able to get a new plan during the annual open enrollment period. If you sign up then, your new plan won’t start until Jan. 1 of the next year. You may be eligible for public insurance options, such as Medicare or Medicaid.

Get Help

Selecting a plan that fits your unique needs and budget can be a time-consuming and complicated process. If you need help:

• Learn more about how to choose insurance coverage for your needs with Navigating CF
• Contact CF Foundation Compass at 844-COMPASS (844-266-7277) for personalized assistance
• Download the insurance plan comparison chart to create a side-by-side comparison of options