Open enrollment is almost here! From November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026, Georgians can shop for health insurance coverage for 2026 through GeorgiaAccess.gov.

This year brings a few important changes, including higher premium rates and the end of extra savings that made coverage more affordable in recent years. 

Here’s how to make the most of this year’s open enrollment period and find a plan that works for you and your family.

Update – August 2025: Enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits (ePTCs) still expire on December 31, 2025, unless Congress acts. In 2025, Georgia Access enrolled over 1.5 million Georgians, 93% of whom depend on these subsidies to make health coverage affordable. Without an extension, premiums in Georgia are projected to jump over 75% on average, and most 2026 insurer filings already assume the credits will lapse. A typical example: a 60-year-old couple earning about $85,000 would pay roughly $18,000 more per year if the ePTCs disappear. The premium increases resulting from the expiration of the ePTCs could cause about 340,000 more Georgians to become uninsured. In short: swift Congressional action to extend the ePTCs—ideally before rate finalization—would prevent sharp premium spikes for Georgia families and avert significant coverage losses. 

See how costs could rise in your Congressional district or use the calculator to estimate cost increases based on your income information — then contact your members of Congress today and tell them to extend the enhanced premium tax credits to keep health care affordable for Georgia families.

Since 2008, Georgians for a Healthy Future has partnered with community members, organizations, and decision-makers to help make health care more affordable and accessible across the state.

In 2024, your support has helped us make meaningful progress:

Making Medicaid and Marketplace Coverage Work Better for Georgians

• We worked with Voices for Georgia’s Children to streamline children’s Medicaid enrollment through Express Lane Eligibility
• Our staff submitted detailed recommendations and helped mobilize public comments to improve the state’s Pathways to Coverage program
  
• GHF’s Executive Director spoke at Georgia’s first legislative hearing focused on Medicaid expansion, offering expert testimony to help lawmakers understand the coverage gap
  

Early this morning, the U.S. House passed a budget proposal that would make the largest cuts to Medicaid in the program’s 60-year history and the most sweeping change to U.S. health policy since the Affordable Care Act. Although framed as “program integrity” and cost-saving measures, these provisions would restrict health coverage, squeeze state funding, and narrow benefits in ways that disproportionately harm Georgia’s most vulnerable communities. Georgia already has one of the nation’s highest uninsured rates (11.4% vs. 8% nationally), and about 2 million Georgians rely on Medicaid/CHIP. The current budget proposal is likely to result in 120,000 – 200,000 more uninsured Georgians, as they lose Medicaid coverage or private insurance through Georgia Access. 

See the impact. Join the movement.

Georgians for a Healthy Future has long been a leader in fighting health disparities, advocating for expanded coverage, and ensuring affordable access to preventive services.

What does that really mean?

It means fighting for the 240,000 Georgians currently stuck in the coverage gap. It means standing alongside parents, caregivers, and senior citizens when their health coverage is threatened. It means making sure lawmakers hear from communities that too often get left out of the conversation.

Life is full of changes—some planned, some unexpected. Maybe you just got married, moved to a new city, or lost your job. These big life moments can be overwhelming, and worrying about health insurance shouldn’t add to the stress. 

Each year, Open Enrollment is the time when most Georgians can sign up for health insurance through Georgia Access, the state’s health insurance marketplace. The last Open Enrollment window ran from November 1, 2024, to January 15 of this year. 

If you missed Open Enrollment, don’t worry. You may still be able to sign up for affordable health coverage on Georgia Access, Georgia’s state-based marketplace, through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

What is a Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?

A Special Enrollment Period is a window of time outside of Open Enrollment when you can sign up for health insurance due to major life events. 

You may still be able to get covered through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you’ve recently: