Key takeaways
- Open enrollment for 2027 marketplace coverage begins Nov. 1 in most states.
- Enhanced premium subsidies expired after 2025, and many insurers are raising premiums or leaving the marketplace.
- Pick a plan by Dec. 15 for coverage that starts Jan. 1; final deadlines vary by state.
Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act marketplace health plans for 2027 starts Nov. 1, 2026, in most states, with early starts in Idaho and Georgia. If you buy your own coverage, there are several reasons to shop carefully this year.
What’s changing
- Higher premiums: Premiums are rising in many areas for 2027, according to healthinsurance.org, which tracks rate filings.
- Insurer exits: Insurers are leaving the marketplace in more than 20 states, so some people will need to choose a new plan.
- Subsidies: The enhanced premium tax credits that lowered costs from 2021 through 2025 expired, and Congress has not extended them. Most enrollees still qualify for some subsidy; 87% did for 2026 coverage. Because subsidies are tied to the cost of a benchmark plan, larger premiums can mean larger subsidies for those who qualify.
- Shorter windows: Several states are shortening their enrollment periods.
- New state help: Virginia and Rhode Island are introducing state-funded subsidies for 2027.
Key dates
- Nov. 1: Open enrollment begins in most states.
- Dec. 15: Pick a plan by this date for coverage starting Jan. 1.
- Final deadline: Varies by state. Some exchanges close Dec. 15; others run into January. Check HealthCare.gov or your state’s exchange.
What to do
- Don’t auto-renew without looking. Your plan, its price or its network may change, and a different plan may now be a better deal.
- Update your income estimate. Subsidies are based on your expected 2027 household income.
- Compare total costs, including deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, not just premiums.
- Check networks and drug lists for your doctors and prescriptions.
- Look at bronze and catastrophic plans if you want a lower premium; starting in 2026, they can be paired with a health savings account.
Get free help
Navigators and certified assisters offer free help choosing a plan. Find them through HealthCare.gov or your state exchange. Be wary of unsolicited calls offering cheap plans; some may not be ACA-compliant coverage.
Read more about comparing health plans.
WalletJolly may earn a commission from links on this page. Rates, prices and rules mentioned are current as of Oct. 28, 2026 and can change. This article is general information, not financial, tax, insurance or legal advice.
