Last updated: September 29, 2026. This article is for general information only and is not personal financial, tax, or insurance advice. Premiums, subsidies, and deadlines vary by state and household, so confirm the details for your situation on HealthCare.gov or your state exchange.
If you buy your own health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, open enrollment for 2027 coverage starts November 1, 2026 in most states. The short version of what to expect: premiums are rising for the second year in a row, the enhanced subsidies that held costs down through 2025 are gone, and the plan that was cheapest for you this year may not be next year. The window to shop is long enough to compare carefully, but a few dates matter more than others.
ACA Open Enrollment 2027 Dates
For HealthCare.gov states, open enrollment for 2027 plans runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. According to a September 2026 summary from a health-insurance broker, a federal court blocked a 2025 federal rule in June that would have ended the window on December 15, and CMS confirmed the longer schedule in early August. Because this timeline has changed more than once, check HealthCare.gov before you plan around it.
The date that matters most is the December 15 cutoff for January 1 coverage. Enroll by then and coverage starts January 1, 2027. Enroll between December 16 and January 15 and coverage generally starts February 1, which can leave a gap if your current plan ends December 31.
About 20 states plus Washington, D.C. run their own exchanges, and their windows differ. Reported examples include Idaho, which opens October 15, and Connecticut and Massachusetts, which open October 23. California, New York, New Jersey, and D.C. run through January 31, while Idaho and Rhode Island end earlier. Oregon is also moving from HealthCare.gov to its own state platform for 2027. Look up your state’s exact dates instead of assuming the federal ones apply.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Open enrollment starts (HealthCare.gov states) | November 1, 2026 |
| Last day to enroll for coverage starting January 1 | December 15, 2026 |
| Open enrollment ends (HealthCare.gov states) | January 15, 2027 |
| Coverage start if you enroll December 16 to January 15 | February 1, 2027 |
How Much Are ACA Premiums Rising in 2027?
KFF analyzed proposed 2027 rate filings from 276 insurers across all 50 states and D.C. and found a median proposed increase of 15%. The range is wide, from a 1% decrease to a 54% increase. About 63% of insurers proposed increases between 10% and 25%, and the middle half of insurers fell between 11% and 22%.
This follows a steep 2026. KFF reported that the median proposed increase for 2026 was 18% and that finalized increases came in higher, at a median of 20%. The 2027 filings are the second consecutive year of double-digit hikes after a long stretch of relatively flat premium growth.
Insurers point to several causes:
- Medical costs. Insurers assumed a median underlying cost trend of about 10%, higher than the roughly 8% seen in earlier years. Provider price increases, labor shortages, higher-acuity claims, and GLP-1 drug use were all cited.
- A sicker risk pool. When the enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, healthier enrollees were more likely to drop coverage. Insurers estimate this adds roughly 4 percentage points to 2027 premiums on top of the baseline.
The Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker gives one concrete example: a 40-year-old in Indianapolis who paid $316 a month in 2025 with the enhanced credits saw the premium rise to $477 in 2026 and would face an expected $546 in 2027, a cumulative increase of about 41% over two years. That is one example, not a national average, so your own numbers will differ by location, age, plan, and income.
Proposed rates are not final rates. State regulators can trim requests, and the prices you see when window shopping on HealthCare.gov or your state exchange are the ones that count.
2027 Premium Tax Credit Percentages: What You’re Expected to Pay
The premium tax credit is what lowers your monthly bill. It is based on the cost of the “benchmark” plan in your area (the second-lowest-cost Silver plan) and on how much of your income you are expected to contribute. The IRS published the 2027 percentages in Revenue Procedure 2026-26:
| Household income (% of federal poverty level) | Expected contribution: starting % | Ending % |
|---|---|---|
| Below 133% | 2.15% | 2.15% |
| 133% to under 150% | 3.23% | 4.30% |
| 150% to under 200% | 4.30% | 6.78% |
| 200% to under 250% | 6.78% | 8.66% |
| 250% to under 300% | 8.66% | 10.22% |
| 300% to 400% | 10.22% | 10.22% |
Within each band, the percentage slides from the starting figure to the ending figure as income rises. The same 10.22% figure is the employer-affordability threshold for 2027.
Here is how to read it. Take an illustrative household in the 300% to 400% band with a $60,000 income. The expected contribution toward the benchmark plan would be about 10.22% of income, or roughly $6,132 a year (about $511 a month). If the benchmark plan costs more than that, the tax credit covers the difference. If you choose a pricier plan, you pay the extra. This example is for illustration only, because your poverty-level percentage depends on your household size, and the benchmark price depends on where you live.
Two rules matter here. First, with the enhanced credits expired, premium tax credits generally stop at 400% of the federal poverty level, so households above that line are typically not eligible for a credit at all. Second, credits are reconciled on your tax return, so a mid-year raise or a side income can change what you owe. It is worth estimating your income carefully when you enroll. Our overview of 2027 tax brackets, confirmed and projected can help you sanity-check where your income lands.
Other 2027 Changes Worth Knowing
- Out-of-pocket maximum. The maximum is reported at $12,000 for individual coverage in 2027, up from $10,600 in 2026.
- Immigrant eligibility. Starting in 2027, reporting indicates that only lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and citizens of Compact of Free Association nations qualify for Marketplace subsidies. Other lawfully present immigrants would lose eligibility.
- Insurer exits. Insurers are reported to be leaving the Marketplace in more than 20 states, so your current plan may not be offered in 2027.
- State help. A few states are creating their own subsidies. Virginia, for example, is launching a program for households between 138% and 250% of the poverty level.
- HSA limits. Health savings account limits for 2027 are reported at $4,500 for individual coverage and $9,000 for family coverage.
How to Compare Plans Before You Enroll
- Update your application first. Enter your expected 2027 income, not last year’s. Your subsidy is calculated from it.
- Look beyond the monthly premium. A lower premium usually comes with a higher deductible. Check the deductible, the out-of-pocket maximum, and the copays for the care you actually use.
- Confirm your doctors and prescriptions. Networks and drug lists change from year to year, and insurers that leave the market force a switch.
- Compare the benchmark Silver plan. Your credit is pegged to it, so comparing other plans against it shows the true extra cost of stepping up or down a tier.
- Check for cost-sharing reductions. Lower-income enrollees who pick a Silver plan may get reduced deductibles and copays, which can beat a cheaper Bronze plan on total cost.
- Don’t auto-renew blindly. If you do nothing, you may be moved to a plan with a different price or network.
Marketplace Open Enrollment Is Not Medicare Open Enrollment
People often mix up the two. Medicare’s annual enrollment period is separate: it runs October 15 through December 7 and covers people who already have Medicare. If you or a family member is turning 65 or already on Medicare, see our guide to Medicare open enrollment for 2027. If you have an HSA-eligible plan, it also helps to plan your contributions alongside your retirement savings, which we cover in our breakdown of 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2026 and 2027.
What to Do Next
Put October 15 and November 1 on your calendar: window shopping starts in some places in mid-October, and full enrollment begins November 1. Gather your household size and income estimate, note your doctors and prescriptions, and aim to choose a plan before December 15 so coverage starts on January 1. If your income is close to a threshold, consider talking to a licensed insurance broker, an exchange navigator, or a tax professional. Free help is available through HealthCare.gov and state exchanges.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does ACA open enrollment start for 2027?
November 1, 2026 in HealthCare.gov states. Some state exchanges open earlier, in October.
What is the deadline to get coverage starting January 1, 2027?
December 15, 2026. Enrolling after that date generally means coverage starts February 1.
How much will ACA premiums go up in 2027?
KFF’s analysis of proposed rates found a median increase of 15%, with a range from -1% to 54%. Final rates and your own price depend on your state, plan, age, and income.
Are the enhanced ACA subsidies still available?
No. The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, which is why the 2027 tax credit percentages follow the standard table above, and credits generally end at 400% of the federal poverty level.
What is the 2027 out-of-pocket maximum?
Reporting puts it at $12,000 for an individual, up from $10,600 in 2026. Verify the current figure on HealthCare.gov.
Sources: KFF and the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker (2027 proposed premiums, updated August 3, 2026); IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-26 (2027 applicable percentage table); HealthInsurance.org (2027 changes, updated September 23, 2026); broker summary of 2027 enrollment dates (August 2026). Figures were current as of publication and may change.
