Last updated: October 30, 2026
If you buy your own health insurance through HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace, ACA open enrollment for 2027 coverage starts November 1, 2026.
This year matters more than usual: premiums are rising again, the enhanced subsidies that kept costs low through 2025 are gone, and some insurers are leaving the marketplace.
This guide covers the deadlines, what’s driving the price increases, who is hit hardest by the subsidy cliff, and practical steps to lower your premium.
Key Takeaways
- Open enrollment: November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027, on HealthCare.gov.
- January 1 coverage: Enroll by December 15, 2026, to get coverage starting January 1, 2027.
- Premium increases: Insurers proposed a median 15% premium increase for 2027, marking a second consecutive year of double-digit proposed increases.
- Subsidy changes: The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. The 400% federal poverty level subsidy cliff returned under the rules applicable for 2026, subject to any subsequent legislative changes.
- Don’t auto-renew: Your monthly premium, provider network, deductible, or covered benefits may change. Compare available plans every year before renewing.
When Is ACA Open Enrollment 2027?
For states that use HealthCare.gov, here are the key dates:
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open enrollment begins. |
| December 15, 2026 | Last day to enroll for coverage starting January 1, 2027. |
| December 16, 2026 – January 15, 2027 | Enroll during this period and coverage starts February 1, 2027. |
| January 15, 2027 | Open enrollment ends. |
A 2025 federal rule would have shortened open enrollment, but a federal court vacated it, and the full November 1 – January 15 window applies to HealthCare.gov for 2027 coverage.
State-run marketplaces have their own dates
If your state runs its own exchange (for example, Covered California, NY State of Health, or Pennie in Pennsylvania), your deadlines may be different. Covered California, for instance, runs through January 31, 2027.
Always check your state’s exchange website for exact dates.
Missed the deadline?
Outside open enrollment, you can only sign up if you have a qualifying life event — such as losing job-based coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby. You usually have 60 days from the event to enroll.
How Much Are ACA Premiums Going Up in 2027?
According to KFF’s analysis of rate filings from 276 insurers across all 50 states and DC, marketplace insurers proposed a median premium increase of 15% for 2027.
Most insurers asked for increases between 10% and 20%, and some requested more than 20%.
This comes after a steep increase for 2026, when the median finalized rate change was about 20%.
Why premiums are rising
- Higher healthcare costs — hospital prices, specialty drugs (including GLP-1 weight-loss drugs), and provider costs keep climbing.
- A sicker risk pool — when enhanced subsidies ended, many healthier people dropped coverage. Insurers price for the people who remain.
- Insurers leaving markets — fewer competitors in some areas can mean higher prices and fewer plan choices.
Proposed vs. final rates
Keep in mind these are proposed increases. State regulators often approve less. For example, New York approved an average increase of about 6% after insurers asked for over 20%. Your actual price depends on your state, age, ZIP code, plan level, and whether you get a subsidy.
What Happened to the Enhanced ACA Subsidies?
From 2021 through 2025, enhanced premium tax credits made marketplace coverage much cheaper:
- People earning under 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL) could get $0 benchmark plans.
- Nobody paid more than 8.5% of income for a benchmark Silver plan — even above 400% FPL.
Those enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025, and Congress did not extend them. The original ACA subsidy rules now apply again.
The impact in 2026
The effect was immediate:
- KFF found the average monthly premium people actually paid rose 58%, from $113 in 2025 to $178 in 2026.
- Plan sign-ups fell by more than a million to 23.1 million — the biggest one-year drop since the marketplaces launched — and paid enrollment is projected to fall further.
- People just above the old subsidy cutoff were hit hardest.
For 2027, that original subsidy structure stays in place unless Congress passes new legislation.
The 400% Subsidy Cliff Is Back: Who Qualifies in 2027?
Under the original ACA rules, you only get a premium tax credit if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (138% is the lower limit in states that expanded Medicaid).
Earn even $1 over 400% FPL, and your subsidy drops to zero. That’s the “cliff.”
For 2027 coverage, subsidies are based on the 2026 poverty guidelines:
| Household Size | 400% FPL Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $63,840 |
| 2 people | $86,560 |
| 4 people | $132,000 |
(Alaska and Hawaii have higher limits.)
How much you’re expected to pay
If you qualify, you’re expected to pay a set percentage of your income toward the benchmark Silver plan. For 2027, that ranges from about 2.15% of income at the lowest levels up to 10.22% for incomes between 300% and 400% FPL. The subsidy covers the rest.
Example: what the cliff looks like
Hypothetical example — assume the benchmark Silver plan costs $750/month for a single 55-year-old.
| Household Income | Expected Contribution | Monthly Subsidy | You Pay for Benchmark Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 Under the cliff |
10.22% × $60,000 = $6,132/year ($511/month) | $239/month | $511/month |
| $64,000 Over the cliff |
— | $0 | $750/month |
Earning $4,000 more costs this person nearly $2,900 a year in lost subsidy. Older enrollees and people in high-cost areas feel the cliff the most because their premiums are higher.
How to Stay Under the Subsidy Cliff (Legally)
Subsidies are based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI), not your gross salary. If you’re close to 400% FPL, these moves can lower your MAGI:
- Contribute to a traditional 401(k) or 403(b). Pre-tax contributions reduce MAGI. (See our guide to traditional vs. Roth 401(k).)
- Contribute to a traditional IRA if you’re eligible to deduct it.
- Fund an HSA. HSA contributions lower MAGI. Starting in 2026, Bronze and catastrophic marketplace plans are HSA-eligible. Check the current HSA contribution limits.
- Self-employed? The self-employed health insurance deduction, SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) contributions, and business expenses all reduce MAGI.
- Early retirees: Time capital gains and Roth conversions carefully — they count as income.
⚠️ Your subsidy is an estimate based on projected income. If your actual 2027 income ends up over 400% FPL, you may have to repay the entire subsidy when you file taxes. Report income changes to the marketplace during the year.
Other 2027 Changes to Know
- Higher out-of-pocket maximum. The most you can be required to pay for in-network care in 2027 is $12,000 for an individual and $24,000 for a family (up from $10,600 / $21,200 in 2026).
- Insurers exiting. Some insurers are leaving the marketplace in a number of states. If yours is leaving, you’ll get a notice — and if you don’t pick a new plan, you may be automatically moved to a different one. Check that your doctors and prescriptions are still covered.
- Fewer agents/brokers early on. Agents not registered with the federal marketplace for 2026 can’t help with 2027 HealthCare.gov enrollments until February at the earliest. Make sure your broker is registered.
Bronze vs. Silver vs. Gold: Which Plan Makes Sense in 2027?
| Plan | Best For | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Healthy people who want the lowest monthly premium. Some Bronze plans may be compatible with an HSA. | High deductibles — you may pay most covered medical costs yourself until you meet the deductible. |
| Silver | People with household income below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) who qualify for cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. These savings are available only with eligible Silver plans. | Without cost-sharing reductions, a Silver plan may not offer the best value compared with Bronze or Gold. |
| Gold | People who expect frequent doctor visits, ongoing prescriptions, or planned medical procedures. | Higher monthly premiums, even if you use relatively little healthcare. |
Tip: Because subsidies are tied to the Silver benchmark, a subsidized Bronze plan can sometimes cost $0 or close to it — but make sure you can cover the deductible.
Keep an emergency fund large enough to handle your out-of-pocket maximum, or consider supplemental coverage like hospital indemnity insurance.
ACA Open Enrollment 2027 Checklist
Complete these steps to compare coverage and prepare for the 2027 plan year.
Want to see top-rated options? Read our guide to the best health insurance plans in the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is ACA open enrollment for 2027?
On HealthCare.gov, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1. State-run exchanges may have different deadlines.
Will ACA premiums go up in 2027?
Most likely, yes. Insurers proposed a median increase of about 15% for 2027, according to KFF. Final rates vary by state, and your subsidy may offset part or all of the increase.
Did the enhanced ACA subsidies expire?
Yes. The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025 and were not extended. For 2027, the original ACA subsidy rules apply, including the 400% FPL income limit.
What is the ACA subsidy cliff for 2027?
For 2027 coverage, subsidies stop at 400% of the federal poverty level — about $63,840 for a single person, $86,560 for a couple, and $132,000 for a family of four. Above that, you pay the full premium.
Should I auto-renew my marketplace plan?
It’s better not to. Premiums, networks, and subsidies change every year, and some insurers are leaving the marketplace. Comparing plans during open enrollment can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
What happens if I miss the open enrollment deadline?
You generally can’t buy marketplace coverage until next year’s open enrollment unless you have a qualifying life event, such as losing job-based coverage, moving, marriage, or the birth of a child.
Bottom Line
ACA open enrollment 2027 is not a year to set it and forget it. With premiums rising about 15%, the enhanced subsidies gone, and the 400% income cliff back, the plan that worked last year may cost much more now. Log in after November 1, update your income, compare plans, and enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not insurance, tax, or legal advice. Plan availability, premiums, and subsidy amounts vary by state and individual situation. Confirm details on HealthCare.gov or your state’s marketplace.
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