Updated October 2026 with current rules and numbers.
Open Enrollment is almost here, and 2027 brings more changes than most years. Here’s what you need to know, in plain English, so you can make a confident choice for your family.
Mark your calendar
2027 Open Enrollment dates (HealthCare.gov states)
- November 1, 2026: Open Enrollment starts
- December 15, 2026: last day for coverage starting January 1
- January 15, 2027: Open Enrollment ends (coverage starts February 1)
A federal rule would have ended Open Enrollment on December 15 starting this year, but a court struck it down. The full window through January 15 is back (HealthCare.gov). Some states run their own Marketplace with different dates. New Jersey, for example, runs through January 31 (NJ Department of Banking and Insurance).
The extra subsidies are gone
The extra premium tax credits from 2021 to 2025 expired (Congressional Research Service). For 2027, help is limited to households earning 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level (HealthCare.gov), which is up to $63,840 for a single person (HHS poverty guidelines). If you earn more than that, you won’t get federal help with premiums.
Prices are going up
Insurers asked for a median increase of about 15% for 2027 (KFF). Several insurers are also leaving markets. Cigna is leaving the Marketplace in every state, and other insurers are shrinking their service areas (Becker’s).
Short on time? Book a free 30-minute plan check and we’ll do the comparing for you.
What else is new for 2027
- No more year-round low-income enrollment. The special enrollment option for people earning under 150% of the poverty level is no longer available (CMS). Most people must sign up during Open Enrollment.
- A confirmation code for your agent. If you use HealthCare.gov and an agent helps you, you’ll approve that agent with a one-time code sent to your phone or email (CMS). Use your own phone and email, and have a Social Security number or immigration document for everyone on the application (CMS).
- Higher out-of-pocket limits. Plans can have an in-network out-of-pocket maximum of up to $12,000 for one person or $24,000 for a family (CMS).
- Immigrant eligibility changes. Starting in 2027, subsidies are limited to green card holders, COFA migrants, and Cuban/Haitian entrants (HealthCare.gov).
Plan levels at a glance
| Plan level | Who it’s for | Premium | Out-of-pocket costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Healthy, just-in-case | Lowest | Highest |
| Silver | Most families; extra savings if you qualify | Moderate | Balanced |
| Gold | Frequent doctor visits | Higher | Lower and more predictable |
| Platinum | Ongoing health needs (not offered everywhere) | Highest | Lowest |
| Catastrophic | Under 30 or hardship only | Very low | Very high |
Tip: in some states, Gold plans can cost less than Silver after savings. Texas is one example, because insurers there add a 40% charge to Silver prices (Texas Department of Insurance).
5 steps to get it right
- Open your renewal notice. Is your insurer leaving your area?
- Gather paperwork: last year’s tax return, recent pay stubs, and Social Security letters.
- Update your 2027 income estimate. Your savings depend on it.
- Check networks, not just price. Make sure your doctors and hospitals are in the plan.
- Enroll by December 15 for a January 1 start.
Client story: a new baby during Open Enrollment
Simon and his wife in Jacksonville were expecting their first child just as Open Enrollment started. “We looked at plans, but it was hard to know what counted as out-of-pocket, and what would be covered for the newborn,” he said. We compared options side by side, checked his hospital, and helped with the paperwork. “We didn’t have to worry about insane prices for healthcare costs, so that was a lot of stress taken off of me,” Simon told us.
State guides for 2027
Read our guides for Florida, Texas, Illinois, Georgia, and New Jersey.
Want a second set of eyes on your 2027 plan?
Book a 30-minute plan check. We compare your options side by side, show the price after any savings, and check that your doctors are in network. Plan prices are the same with or without us.
Check My 2027 Options or call (786) 730-9658
Prefer to read first? Download the 2027 Marketplace Ready Checklist or la guía en español.
Related guides
- 5 legal ways to lower your ACA premium
- ACA premiums in 2027 after the extra subsidies expired
- Special Enrollment Periods: who qualifies in 2027
- ACA subsidies 2027: the 400% income cliff
- Florida Open Enrollment 2027
- Texas Open Enrollment 2027
Sources
- HealthCare.gov: Dates and deadlines
- KFF Health System Tracker: Why 2027 Marketplace premiums are going up
- Becker’s Payer Issues: How insurers’ ACA footprints are changing in 2027
- CMS: 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters final rule
- CBS News: ACA open enrollment rules for 2027
- NJ DOBI: 2027 Open Enrollment dates
- Congressional Research Service: Premium tax credits
- HealthCare.gov: Coverage for lawfully present immigrants
- HHS: 2026 poverty guidelines
- CMS: 2027 payment parameters (out-of-pocket limits)
- HealthCare.gov: Immigration statuses that qualify
- Texas Department of Insurance: Cost-sharing reduction load rule
- CMS: Consumer ID checks and agent authorization (2027)
- CMS: 2027 Marketplace integrity steps
- CMS: Verified SSN or immigration document for re-enrollment
Simple Start Insurance is a licensed health insurance agency. We are not affiliated with HealthCare.gov, any state marketplace, or any government agency. Plan availability, prices, and dates vary by state and county. This article is general information, not tax or legal advice.
Want help comparing your options? See how we help with individual and family health insurance, or request a free 2027 plan check.
