Virginia Open Enrollment 2027 for People Between Jobs
Last updated November 3, 2026 · By Frank Caballero, licensed health insurance broker
Short answer
For people between jobs in Virginia, Virginia's Insurance Marketplace sets the 2027 open enrollment dates, running November 1, 2026 to January 29, 2027 with December 15 for a January 1 start. If you are healthy, a private, medically underwritten plan is another route that ignores the calendar: if approved, it can start the first of any month, right after your job coverage ends.
What 2027 looks like for you
Virginia's average 2027 rate change is 15.8% to 16.9% (finalized). The details are on the Virginia 2027 premium increase page.
Losing job-based coverage opens a 60-day special enrollment period, and open enrollment runs at the same time this fall, so most people between jobs have two doors open at once. Federal COBRA, where it applies, lasts up to 18 months at up to 102% of the full premium. Any Marketplace subsidy depends on your 2027 household income, with the line at $63,840 for one person and $86,560 for two.
Virginia this year
In Virginia, finalized individual premiums climb 16 to 17 percent on average for 2027, while small-employer plans rise about 10.7 percent. Virginians shop on Virginia's Insurance Marketplace, an exchange the state runs itself, and open enrollment there closes January 29, 2027. Federal and defense contractors in Northern Virginia, cybersecurity consultants and shipyard workers in Hampton Roads often face gaps between contracts. Virginia requires insured group plans not subject to federal COBRA, generally at employers under 20 workers, to offer a 12-month continuation option once a member has three months of coverage, priced at the group rate with an administrative fee of up to 2 percent.
State continuation in Virginia: Virginia requires insured group plans that are not subject to federal COBRA, which generally means employers with fewer than 20 employees, to offer 12 months of continuation after at least three months of coverage, at the group rate plus an administrative fee of up to 2 percent.
One thing to do before you choose
If a Northern Virginia contract ended this fall, you can still use open enrollment on Virginia's Insurance Marketplace through January 29, 2027, even if your 60 days from the job loss have passed. Count 2027 income carefully: a new contract midyear can push a single person past $63,840, so update your estimate as soon as you sign one.
Your checklist
- The exact date your job coverage ends, in writing
- Your COBRA notice and its election deadline
- Severance and final pay in your 2027 income estimate
- A private quote while COBRA is still in reserve
Private plan or Marketplace?
Private plan
Healthy and between roles: priced on age, ZIP code and health, with COBRA kept in reserve. Approval depends on health answers; not an ACA Marketplace plan.
Marketplace
Ongoing treatment, or a year of lower income: Virginia's Insurance Marketplace must accept you within the 60-day window or during open enrollment.
Compare Virginia plans this open enrollment
Private plans priced first, the Marketplace alongside when it fits. Phone or video, English or Spanish, no fee.
About your broker
Frank Caballero (NPN 21032307), licensed in 31 states including Virginia. Phone or video, English or Spanish, no fee; independent, not HealthCare.gov or any government agency.
Questions
Who sets Virginia's 2027 open enrollment deadline?
Virginia's Insurance Marketplace, Virginia's own exchange. For 2027 coverage it runs open enrollment from November 1, 2026 to January 29, 2027.
Do Virginia contractors between contracts use HealthCare.gov?
No. The state operates its own exchange, called Virginia's Insurance Marketplace, and its open enrollment for 2027 closes January 29, 2027. A job loss that ends your group plan also starts its own 60-day enrollment window. If you were on a small employer's insured plan, Virginia's 12-month state continuation is a third option to price.
Can I get a private plan in Virginia after open enrollment closes?
Yes. You can apply in any month and, if approved, a private plan can start the first of a month; the insurer can decline based on health answers.
More for Virginia
- Virginia open enrollment 2027: dates and options
- Virginia open enrollment for self-employed
- Virginia open enrollment for families
- Virginia open enrollment for early retirees
- Virginia open enrollment for small business owners
- Virginia open enrollment for individuals
- Virginia open enrollment for people over the subsidy line
- Virginia open enrollment for marketplace renewals
- COBRA alternatives in Virginia
- Virginia health insurance quotes
Official source: Virginia's Insurance Marketplace: special enrollment. FC Insurance Solutions is an independent, licensed brokerage and is not affiliated with any government agency.
Written by Frank Caballero, licensed health insurance broker in Virginia and 30 other states, NPN 21032307. Last updated November 3, 2026.