Open enrollment 2027 is under way, and ACA marketplace premiums are jumping about 15 percent this year, the second straight year of double-digit increases.
The figure needs context. In a Nov. 2 report, The Washington Post’s Miriam Waldvogel described the Marketplace opening in most states on Nov. 1 and reported typical premium increases of about 15 percent based on proposed and finalized rates. KFF’s analysis of finalized benchmark silver rates found an average increase of 13 percent. These are different measures, not conflicting estimates of an individual’s bill. What a household pays depends on its location, age, plan, income, and eligibility for financial assistance.
For a 40-year-old, KFF’s national benchmark silver average rose from $624 per month in 2026 to $704 in 2027. That is an $80 monthly increase, or $960 over a year, before any applicable tax credit. The same benchmark averaged $497 in 2025, making the 2027 figure $207 higher per month over two years. Actual premiums vary by county and plan. (Washington Post report by Miriam Waldvogel; KFF’s 2027 Marketplace overview)
Open Enrollment 2027: What Does the Premium Increase Mean for a Household?
The $704 figure is the average full benchmark premium for a 40-year-old, before subsidies. The likely effect on a household depends in large part on premium tax-credit eligibility.
KFF reports that finalized benchmark silver premiums rose 11 percent on average in states using HealthCare.gov and 16 percent in states operating their own exchanges. In Arizona, New Mexico, and Montana, average increases are above 20 percent. The national average does not predict a specific county’s price, and a benchmark plan is not necessarily the plan a household currently has.
| 40-year-old benchmark silver average | Monthly premium |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $497 |
| 2026 | $624 |
| 2027 | $704 |
| 2026 to 2027 change | +$80 |
| 2025 to 2027 change | +$207 |
Subsidized path: Eligible households may receive premium tax credits that reduce the amount they pay. CMS states that more than 75 percent of HealthCare.gov shoppers will have access to premiums at or below $50 in 2027, and that eligible tax-credit enrollees will have about 90 percent of the lowest-cost premium paid by the federal government. This describes access to low-premium plans, not a guarantee that a particular shopper’s existing plan will cost $50 or less. A subsidized shopper’s net premium may rise by less than the benchmark, stay similar, or change in another direction based on household and plan details.
Full-price path: Households with income above 400 percent of the federal poverty level generally do not qualify for premium tax credits under the current rules. These households can be exposed to the full premium change. Eligibility and costs should be confirmed using the application and the household’s current income information.
The administration’s CMS fact sheet also reports an average of 100 plan options and five to six insurers for HealthCare.gov shoppers, along with an average of 35 HSA-eligible plans. These figures describe the administration’s view of plan access and choice; they do not erase the finalized premium increases reported by KFF. Plan availability and choice can differ by location. (CMS 2027 Marketplace plans and prices fact sheet)
KFF reports enrollment was down 12 percent, or 2.6 million people, by February 2026 compared with the prior year. KFF also reports that 11 carriers announced exits from at least one state for 2027, while seven announced entry into a new state; Cigna is leaving the individual market in all 11 states where it participates. Some state exchanges have added or expanded state-funded subsidies, but availability and eligibility vary by state.
What Are Marketplace Shoppers Doing About the Increase?
The practical response is to check the renewal price, reassess plan options, and verify assistance before allowing an existing plan to renew by default. The figures below are averages. A household’s renewal notice and Marketplace application provide the details relevant to its own coverage.
First-Week Open Enrollment Checklist
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Open the renewal notice and find the 2027 premium. Compare the listed premium with the current monthly amount before accepting an automatic renewal. A plan may renew without a new comparison, leaving the household in its existing selection even if the premium or plan details have changed.
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Update the annual income estimate in the application. Starting with tax year 2026, repayment limits on excess premium tax credits have been eliminated. If actual income is higher than estimated and the household received more assistance than it qualified for, the amount owed at tax time may not be limited by the former repayment caps. Update the estimate if income or household circumstances change. Tax treatment and eligibility should be confirmed through the application or with a qualified tax professional.
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Check whether the current insurer and plan remain available in the county. Insurer participation can change from year to year. A carrier’s statewide presence does not establish that a particular plan remains available in a specific county.
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Compare the second-lowest-cost silver plan with the current plan. The benchmark is used in calculating premium tax credits, but it is not automatically the lowest-cost or best-fitting plan for every household. Compare monthly premiums, providers, prescriptions, deductibles, and other cost-sharing. Households considering an HSA-eligible plan should confirm eligibility and review the full cost-sharing terms. HSA contributions may affect modified adjusted gross income, but eligibility and tax treatment depend on individual circumstances.
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Record the deadline for coverage starting Jan. 1. HealthCare.gov lists Dec. 15 as the last day to enroll in or change a plan for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Enrolling from Dec. 16 through Jan. 15 generally results in a Feb. 1 start date. Coverage also depends on paying the first premium. State-based Marketplace dates may differ; confirm the applicable state deadline. (HealthCare.gov dates and deadlines)
What Can Full-Price Shoppers Compare?
For households above the premium-tax-credit income threshold, comparing the Marketplace plan’s full price with other coverage options may be part of the review. Private PPO coverage is one option a full-price shopper can price alongside Marketplace plans. Private PPO plans{:rel="sponsored"} are separate from Marketplace plans; benefits, provider networks, eligibility, exclusions, and costs vary. A plan purchased outside the Marketplace generally does not qualify for Marketplace premium tax credits. Review the plan documents, including how pre-existing conditions and covered services are handled, before enrolling.
How Should Consumers Verify Enrollment Assistance?
KFF reports that a temporary federal moratorium paused registration of new agents and brokers for the federally facilitated Marketplace and related federal-platform Marketplaces until February 2027. KFF also reports that HHS cancelled coverage for roughly 760,000 people it described as “phantom” enrollees. The moratorium applies to new federal Marketplace registrations; it is not a general suspension of insurance licenses.
Before sharing personal information or allowing an agent to make changes to an application, consumers can check the agent’s name, National Producer Number (NPN), and license status. Directory records can help locate agent information, but current licensing should be independently confirmed with the relevant state regulator. Arizona, where average benchmark increases are above 20 percent, is among the states where shoppers can find and review licensed health insurance agent listings.
Open Enrollment 2027 Dates and Affordability Context
HealthCare.gov’s Marketplace window runs from Nov. 1, 2026, through Jan. 15, 2027. Dec. 15 is the deadline for a Jan. 1 coverage start; applications completed from Dec. 16 through Jan. 15 generally start Feb. 1. State Marketplace rules may differ, so dates should be confirmed for the relevant exchange.
Affordability is also a top voter issue heading into the midterm elections. The immediate household task remains procedural: verify the renewal premium, update income information, compare available plans, and confirm the relevant enrollment deadline.
The premium figures in this article are national or state-level averages and do not constitute an individual quote or eligibility determination. Current plan availability, premium tax-credit eligibility, insurer participation, and agent license status should be independently confirmed using the applicable Marketplace, plan documents, and state records.