ACA open enrollment 2027 is now open for coverage starting January 1, and shoppers face higher premiums, fewer plans and new verification steps. Dates vary.
Open enrollment began November 1 in most states. The Associated Press, in Fatima Hussein’s report published November 1, reported that marketplace coverage prices are expected to rise by an average of 13% in 2027, based on KFF analysis of CMS data. KFF analysis also finds that finalized benchmark silver premiums increased 26% from 2025 to 2026, with another 13% average increase for 2027. These are averages, not individual premium predictions.
For a 49-year-old self-employed consultant in Texas who bought a silver Marketplace plan last year, reported income above 400% of the federal poverty level, and received no subsidy, the full premium is the relevant comparison. Her actual renewal amount depends on her county, age, plan, and insurer. Available choices may also change if carriers leave her county. The December 15 deadline is the key date for coverage beginning January 1.
WHAT CHANGED SINCE THE 2026 SIGN-UP
KFF’s analysis of nine issues affecting the 2027 enrollment period compares rate trends, insurer participation, assistance rules, and enrollment requirements. The following summary separates 2026 conditions from changes or developments affecting 2027.
| Category | 2026 conditions | 2027 conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Premium trend | Benchmark silver premiums rose 26% on average from 2025 to 2026. | Finalized benchmark silver premiums are up 13% on average. KFF analysis puts the cumulative 2025–2027 increase at 42%. |
| Subsidies and full-price coverage | Enhanced federal premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. People above 400% of the federal poverty level generally no longer qualify for premium tax credits. | The expiration continues to affect plan costs. People who do not qualify for assistance pay the full premium; the 13% average is not a forecast for any one person’s plan. |
| Insurer choice | Marketplace plan selections fell by 1.2 million during the 2026 open enrollment period. | As of October 29, 11 carriers had announced exits from at least one state, compared with seven new entrants. Availability and networks vary by county. |
| Agent and broker rules | Federal integrity and enrollment requirements were being updated. | Updated conduct standards prohibit cash incentives and false claims about guaranteed zero-dollar premiums or enrollment deadlines. New agent and broker registrations on the federal platform are paused until February 2027. |
| Medicaid interaction | Marketplace subsidy eligibility continued under the rules then in effect. | In states implementing work requirements, people denied or removed from Medicaid solely for not meeting those requirements become ineligible for premium tax credits. State rollout and litigation status vary. |
KFF reports a median insurer-proposed premium increase of 15%; that is distinct from finalized benchmark averages. The premium paid by an individual depends on location, age, selected plan, and eligibility for assistance. For a full-price enrollee, a benchmark average is a reference point, not a personal quote.
The insurer count also describes changes across the country, not a specific county. KFF reports that Cigna is leaving the individual market in all 11 states where it participates. A local plan comparison is needed to determine whether an insurer or provider network changed in a particular area.
DEADLINE MAP
The federal Marketplace dates are listed on the HealthCare.gov dates and deadlines page. State-based exchanges may use different dates. Current state deadlines should be confirmed through the applicable exchange.
| Date | Marketplace event |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open enrollment begins in most states. |
| December 15, 2026 | Last day on HealthCare.gov to enroll or change plans for coverage beginning January 1, 2027. |
| January 1, 2027 | Coverage start date for eligible enrollments completed by December 15, subject to payment of the first premium. |
| January 15, 2027 | Open enrollment ends on HealthCare.gov. |
| February 1, 2027 | Coverage start date for enrollments completed December 16 through January 15, subject to payment of the first premium. |
State-based marketplaces may set other enrollment end dates or procedures. The federal dates should not be assumed to apply in every state.
WEEK-ONE CHECKLIST
HealthCare.gov’s Marketplace guide outlines the application and plan selection process. The following actions address common points that can change between plan years.
- Update the 2027 income projection. Enter expected household income for the coverage year and update the application if earnings change. An income estimate can affect eligibility for assistance and tax reconciliation.
- Compare available plans instead of relying on automatic renewal. Review the renewed plan alongside other options available in the county.
- Check doctors, hospitals, and prescription drugs. Confirm that providers and medications are covered under the 2027 plan’s network and formulary.
- Compare total annual costs. Review premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and the plan’s out-of-pocket limit. Confirm the limit in the plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage.
- Check whether the county’s carrier list changed. A carrier exit or plan withdrawal may affect the available choices.
- Confirm state assistance. State programs differ by income and location. A program available in another state may not apply to the household.
For the Texas consultant in this example, the week-one sequence is to update her estimated income, review the county’s 2027 silver choices, confirm her doctors and prescriptions, and compare the full annual cost. The current renewal premium should not be treated as a final comparison if other plans are available. If she selects a plan for January 1 coverage, enrollment should be completed by December 15.
INCOME, TAX CREDITS, AND STATE DIFFERENCES
Repayment limits for excess premium tax credits were eliminated beginning with the 2026 tax year. The first tax filings under the change occur in early 2027. As a result, enrollees choosing 2027 plans may not yet have seen how uncapped repayment works in practice.
For someone receiving advance premium tax credits, the income estimate entered during enrollment can affect both the monthly premium and a later tax liability. An updated estimate is important if household income changes during the year. Some people may reduce modified adjusted gross income through eligible HSA or traditional IRA contributions; HSA contributions require enrollment in an HSA-eligible plan. Tax and plan eligibility should be independently confirmed.
State assistance is also uneven. KFF reports that New Mexico continues a full state backfill of lost enhanced federal assistance in 2027. California is expanding state-funded assistance to some households between 165% and 200% of the federal poverty level. New Jersey maintained its program, while Rhode Island and Virginia created state-specific subsidies for 2027. Eligibility and assistance amounts vary. This state-by-state variation means the effect of the federal changes can depend on the exchange, state program, household income, and local carrier participation.
Other eligibility changes may affect certain consumers. New federal rules limit tax-credit eligibility for some lawfully present immigrants; KFF reports a Congressional Budget Office projection of about one million additional uninsured people over time from that change. Medicaid work requirements may also affect premium-tax-credit eligibility in some states. Litigation remains ongoing, including a court decision temporarily blocking part of the medical-frailty enforcement pathway. Timing and applicable rules may change.
AGENT AND BROKER VERIFICATION
Consumers may use an agent or broker to apply or make changes. For some federal-platform transactions, an authorization or confirmation step may be required. Updated conduct standards prohibit cash or monetary rebates to persuade enrollment, false claims that a consumer always qualifies for a zero-dollar premium, and false statements about enrollment deadlines. New registrations for agents and brokers on the federal platform are paused until February 2027. Reduced Navigator funding may also mean less enrollment assistance is available.
Before sharing personal information, confirm who will submit the application and whether the agent is authorized to make the requested change. Verify the agent’s license and National Producer Number (NPN); directory information should be checked against current state records. Texas consumers can use the Texas agent lookup as a starting point. A directory listing does not replace confirmation with the state licensing authority or the Marketplace.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the deadlines for ACA open enrollment 2027?
On HealthCare.gov, open enrollment runs November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage beginning January 1. Enroll from December 16 through January 15 for coverage beginning February 1. State-based exchanges may set different dates.
Will the premium go up if there was no subsidy last year?
It may. KFF reports a 13% average increase in finalized benchmark silver premiums for 2027. That average is not an individual rate prediction. A full-price enrollee should compare the actual 2027 premium and plan benefits available in the county.
Can an agent or broker still help with enrollment?
Yes. Consumers may use an agent or broker, but federal-platform authorization steps and conduct rules apply. Confirm the person handling the enrollment, verify the license, and review the final selection in the Marketplace account.
What happens if December 15 is missed?
On HealthCare.gov, an enrollment completed after December 15 and by January 15 generally starts February 1, not January 1. After January 15, enrollment or plan changes generally require a qualifying Special Enrollment Period. State exchange deadlines may differ.