DC, Massachusetts & Rhode Island join 14 other states in launching 2026 Open Enrollment Window Shopping

Thu, 10/23/2025 - 2:42pm

I've already noted that 14 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:

District of Columbia (DC Health Link):

2026 Health Plan Comparison Tool for Individuals and Families

WHICH HEALTH PLAN IS RIGHT FOR YOU BASED ON YOUR NEEDS AND BUDGET?

Plan Match, DC's health plan comparison tool, powered by Consumers' CHECKBOOK, takes you through a few simple steps to find the best health plan for you, or you and your family.

The health information you provide is anonymous and is not shared with DC Health Link. With this tool, you can find every plan available to you through DC Health Link and compare on total estimated cost (not just premiums or deductibles), plan features, doctor availability and more. Consumers' CHECKBOOK has over 35 years of experience helping consumers choose the best plans.

Rhode Island (HealthSource RI):

2026 Health Plan Comparison Tool for Individuals and Families

Choosing health insurance is a tough job. We make it easier by comparing all the plans you’re eligible to join in three easy steps.

Step 1: Fill out your coverage profile. We’ll ask you a few questions to find the right plans and estimate out-of-pocket health care costs.

Step 2: Compare health plans. Review key plan facts like premium, deductible, out-of-pocket costs, and more.

Step 3: Select a plan. When you’ve decided which health plan you want, you can view detailed instructions on how to enroll.

Massachusetts (MA Health Connector):

See if you qualify for savings on your monthly health insurance premium through the Health Connector.

Answer a few questions about your household and we will check to see if you may qualify for savings to help lower your monthly health insurance premium and costs.

Choose your coverage year:*

2026 / 2025

Enter your Massachusetts ZIP code:*

I'll be posting an updated version of my annual ACA Open Enrollment Guide soon which will include a lot more detail about these and other states (and lord knows there's a lot of changes this year, most of them for the worse), but wanted to give residents of these states a heads up so they have time to plan.

REMEMBER: While the combination of expiring federal subsidies and the Trump regime's so-called "Affordability & Integrity Rule" changes are gonna be devastating for most enrollees, there are still ways of at least somewhat dampening the blow for most enrollees.

There are a handful of states (including CA, MD & NM) which are backfilling some or all lost federal tax credits for many/most enrollees; others, like Illinois, Washington and (believe it or not) Arkansas are newly-implementing "Premium Alignment" policies which will mitigate the damage for many people.

In most cases, the best you can hope for will be to shop around for a potentially better value (or at least a less-draconian rate hike).