Missed Open Enrollment 2026 in California? You May Still Have Time to Enroll

Health insurance open enrollment in California officially ended on January 31, 2026. In most years, that would mean the door to new health insurance coverage is closed until the next enrollment season - unless someone experiences a qualifying life event.

However, due to natural and human-caused disasters across California, a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) has been created for certain residents. This SEP gives eligible individuals another opportunity to enroll in coverage outside of open enrollment.

Important: This SEP applies only to health insurance plans purchased through Covered California.

If you’ve been searching for:

• Open enrollment 2026

• Open enrollment health insurance

• How to get health insurance outside of open enrollment

This extension may apply to you - but timing and eligibility depend on where you live.

State of Emergency SEP Deadlines by Area

Below is the current State of Emergency list, along with the corresponding:

• Qualifying Life Event (QLE) date

• Last day to select a plan (SEP End Date)

Because each emergency occurred at a different time and location, deadlines vary by county and city.

What Happens After These Deadlines?

Once the SEP end date for your area passes, you generally will not be able to enroll in a health plan unless you experience another qualifying life event, such as:

• Losing employer-sponsored coverage

• Getting married or divorced

• Having a baby or adopting a child

• Moving to a new coverage area

• And more

• 
  

If none of those apply, you’ll need to wait until the next open enrollment health insurance period, which won’t begin until late 2026.

Because SEP rules and deadlines vary by county, it’s easy to miss your window or select the wrong option when applying.

We help Californians:

• Confirm SEP eligibility

• Compare Covered California plan options

• Check for premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions

• Enroll correctly and on time

Schedule a free appointment - in person, by video, or over the phone - and we’ll walk through your options together.

Book your meeting here: https://calendly.com/d/cwdw-973-g3f

Final Reminder

If you missed open enrollment health insurance in California, this disaster-related SEP may be your last chance to enroll for 2026 coverage.

Deadlines are area-specific, and once they pass, coverage won’t be available without a qualifying life event.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify - don’t guess. Let’s check together before time runs out!