Connecticut, New Jersey and ILLINOIS join 17 other states in launching 2026 Open Enrollment Window Shopping

Mon, 10/27/2025 - 3:53pm

I've already noted that 17 states have launched window shopping for the 2026 ACA Open Enrollment Period (OEP), allowing residents of the following states to plug their household information into their states ACA exchange website to see just how much their net health insurance premiums are going to increase starting January 1st, 2026:

*Idaho also started letting eligible residents actually enroll starting on 10/15.
**Oregon is still hosted on the federal ACA exchange for 2026 but OregonHealthCare.Gov will let you window shop.

Today they've been joined by three more state-based ACA exchanges:

Connecticut (Access Health CT):

Access Health CT is Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, where you can shop, compare and enroll in quality health and dental plans. It is also the only place where you can qualify for financial help to lower your costs, and if eligible, enroll in low or no-cost coverage through HUSKY Health Programs (Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)) or the Covered CT Program.

New Jersey (GetCovered NJ):

Get ready to shop for quality, affordable health insurance! Open Enrollment begins November 1!

GetCoveredNJ is the only place where you can get financial help to lower the cost of health coverage. You can compare available plans and costs for 2026 now to see what fits your needs and budget.

And, making their debut as a state-based ACA exchange...Illinois (GetCovered IL)!

Here's a local story about the launch:

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Illinoisans with subsidized insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act will soon see a big increase in premiums. But new resources from a state-based marketplace could help people find an affordable plan.

Thought of the Affordable Care Act typically goes along with healthcare.gov, the federal marketplace. But the Illinois state government has chosen to build its own in-house system, a move officials said will make it easier to find a plan.

The plans are the same and the prices are too. But there is a lot more behind Get Covered Illinois than what meets the eye.

...Illinois residents are also getting perks other states won’t get, like alternate enrollment periods.

“One of those is a pregnancy special enrollment period that offers coverage to folks when they become pregnant. That’s not something that’s available on the federal marketplace,” Winters said. “The other is what we call ‘easy enrollment.’ It gives uninsured Illinoisians an opportunity to enroll in coverage when they file their state tax form.”

Winter said the change in the marketplace comes at a critical time. Premiums for those on subsidized health care plans are expected to rise 50 to 60% on average in Illinois.

Window shopping for all remaining state--as well as the official 2026 Open Enrollment Period when you can actually enroll in a policy--kicks off on Saturday, November 1st.