Open Enrollment Essentials for 2026
Health insurance enrollment isn’t easy for anyone to navigate. For people across the disability community, signing up for the right health insurance is a necessary step towards accessing essential services and care. Enrollment assisters like you offer health consumers peace of mind that they’ve considered all of the costs and benefits of their options on the federal Marketplace at Healthcare.gov. As open enrollment starts tomorrow, we published a new blog post this week entitled “What You Need to Know for Open Enrollment 2026.” This post is aimed at those enrolling for coverage for the coming year and addresses topics such as higher premiums for 2026, where individuals can enroll, what people with disabilities should consider when selecting a plan and what resources are available to assist.
This Open Enrollment season, we know that Marketplace Navigators have been affected by recent programmatic cuts. To support accessible enrollment assistance, you can get up to date on best practices in supporting people with disabilities by reviewing our essential resources. Whether you’re new to this work or looking for a refresh, here are some quick references to get up to speed from the National Disability Navigator Resource Collaborative:
- Guide to Disability for Healthcare Insurance Marketplace Navigators – Start here for an overview about the unique needs people with disabilities faced prior to the Affordable Care Act when trying to obtain health insurance. As a navigator, this material is an important supplement to the HHS course on “Working with Consumers with Disabilities”.
- Health Insurance Fact Sheets – In this series of topical factsheets, you’ll find relevant information that people with disabilities need to know when considering their insurance options. Plus, population-specific material is available to support you in assisting specific disability communities, whose communication and health needs may be unique. These guides offer support with navigating Health Plan Benefits and Coverage Summary sheets to help a person project their health care costs for a range of plans. The factsheets discuss benefit areas like Rehabilitation/ Habilitation Services, Medical Supply and Prescription Medication Benefits covered under Marketplace plans. There’s also information to support people in accessing care, once insured.
- Other Resources:
Enrollment Notes for Assisters
Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families outlined some essentials on what to expect for Open Enrollment this year. Enrollees should know that the federal Marketplace will be open until January 15, 2026 to select a plan, though the enrollment window is going to be shorter for 2027. State-based Marketplaces are sending out notices by the end of October to notify consumers of higher premiums due to the reduced tax credits. This affects residents in 19 states and the District of Columbia. All other consumers in states using the Federal Marketplace will not be receiving notices this year. People who typically elect to auto-renew coverage should check their Healthcare.gov account before the Open Enrollment window closes to check the anticipated premium cost for 2026. Based on federal regulatory changes, enrollees will be expected to contribute more toward their premiums and out-of-pocket expenses this year. This applies to Marketplace policy holders, but also individuals in employer-sponsored plans. Coverage changes will go into effect this next year affecting people seeking gender-affirming care, which is no longer considered an “Essential Health Benefit” under the ACA.
Kaiser Family Foundation has also noted eight key takeaways on enrollment for 2026. With enhanced premium tax credits set to expire, middle-income individuals will lose financial subsidies which had supported enrollment in the past. Enrollees who are self-employed, shift, or gig workers should also be aware that if they underestimate their income this next year, they could be at risk of having to repay the excess premium tax credit that they do receive when filing taxes in 2027. If a Marketplace enrollee realizes that their expected earnings are going to be higher than expected that year, they can contact the Marketplace to adjust their tax credits. The Special Enrollment Period for low-income individuals and households has also been cancelled for 2026.
Archives of our weekly updates are available on the NDNRC website. Follow AAHD’s other newsletters to stay current on research opportunities and policy developments supporting people with disabilities.