West Virginia open enrollment 2027 Open enrollment · West Virginia

West 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 West Virginia, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov, and December 15 is the date to choose by 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

West Virginia's average 2027 rate change is 14.9% (finalized). The details are on the West 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.

West Virginia this year

West Virginia's 2027 individual increase was settled in early November at about 14.9 percent, and small-group plans climb a bit further, near 15.8 percent, on premiums already among the highest in the country. Natural gas and coal contractors, healthcare contractors in Charleston and Morgantown, and Eastern Panhandle commuters to DC-area jobs can lose coverage with little warning. State law lets members of a group policy who are laid off involuntarily hold onto that coverage at the group rate for a maximum of 18 months, but the provision is written for layoffs, not every job loss.

State continuation in West Virginia: West Virginia requires group policies to let members who are involuntarily laid off keep the same coverage at the group rate for up to 18 months; the state provision is written for layoffs rather than every job loss.

One thing to do before you choose

If you were laid off in West Virginia, ask the employer in writing about state continuation and get the group rate in dollars. Then look up HealthCare.gov plans for your county. If you quit or were fired, the layoff provision may not help, so enroll in an individual or private plan within your 60-day window. Eastern Panhandle commuters may also have COBRA from a larger employer.

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: HealthCare.gov must accept you within the 60-day window or during open enrollment.

Compare West Virginia plans this open enrollment

Private plans priced first, the Marketplace alongside when it fits. Phone or video, English or Spanish, no fee.

Get a quote Book a call (786) 218-2384

About your broker

Frank Caballero (NPN 21032307), licensed in 31 states including West Virginia. Phone or video, English or Spanish, no fee; independent, not HealthCare.gov or any government agency.

Questions

When is the 2027 open enrollment deadline in West Virginia?

January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Choose by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1; plans picked after that start February 1.

I resigned from a West Virginia coal contractor. Can I use state continuation?

Probably not. West Virginia's provision is written for members who are involuntarily laid off. If the company employed at least 20 people, federal COBRA may still apply. Otherwise, the loss of coverage lets you choose a HealthCare.gov plan inside 60 days, and the federal sign-up period ends January 15.

Can I get a private plan in West 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 West Virginia

Official sources: HealthCare.gov, the federal Marketplace; HealthCare.gov: special enrollment periods. 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 West Virginia and 30 other states, NPN 21032307. Last updated November 3, 2026.