Open Enrollment 2027
2027 Open Enrollment: Dates, Deadlines, and Free Help in 32 States
Open Enrollment for 2027 runs November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027, in most states.
Open Enrollment is the one time each year when anyone can buy individual or family health insurance, or switch plans, without a qualifying life event. For 2027 coverage, it opens November 1, 2026. In most states, you choose a plan by December 15 for coverage starting January 1, and the window closes January 15, 2027. I'm a licensed health insurance broker in 32 states, and my help is free: brokers are paid by the insurance carriers, so your price is the same whether you enroll on your own or with me.
Key Dates for 2027 Coverage
November 1, 2026: Open Enrollment opens and 2027 plans and prices are available to compare. December 15, 2026: in most states, enroll by this date for coverage starting January 1, 2027. January 15, 2027: Open Enrollment ends in most states; enrollments from December 16 to January 15 usually start February 1. After the deadline, you generally need a qualifying life event to enroll in an ACA plan — though private plans are often available year-round, depending on eligibility.
What's Changing for 2027
Premiums are rising in most states. Proposed 2027 increases range from single digits in a few states to more than 25% in others, before subsidies. If your plan simply auto-renews, you may pay more for the same coverage.
Insurers are changing. Cigna is leaving the individual marketplace in many states at the end of 2026, and other insurers are exiting or joining in specific states. If your plan is being discontinued, you'll need to choose a new one.
Enhanced federal premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. Households earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level generally no longer qualify for tax credits, and many others receive less help than before.
Some states add their own help. Colorado, Maryland, and Virginia (new for 2027) offer state premium assistance on top of federal tax credits, and several states run reinsurance programs that help keep premiums lower.
Plans and networks change every year. Your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions may not be covered the same way in 2027, even with the same insurer.
2027 Open Enrollment Deadlines by State
Open Enrollment ends January 15, 2027, in every state I serve except Virginia, where it runs through January 29, 2027. The deadline for coverage starting January 1 is December 15 in most states; Maryland allows enrollment through December 31 for January 1 coverage, and a few state-run marketplaces set their own cutoffs. In 24 of these states you enroll through HealthCare.gov, while Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Virginia run their own marketplaces. Select your state for its marketplace, 2027 changes, and local details:
Who Should Take Action This Open Enrollment?
You buy your own insurance and want to make sure you're not overpaying for 2027. You're self-employed, a freelancer, or a 1099 contractor without employer coverage. Your income has changed, which can affect how much financial help you qualify for. You're currently uninsured and want coverage starting January 1. Your doctor or medication matters to you and you need to confirm they're covered next year. Or your household changed — marriage, a new baby, or a child aging off a plan.
Why Not Just Let My Plan Auto-Renew?
Auto-renewal is easy, but it keeps you in a plan that may have changed. Each year, premiums, deductibles, provider networks, and drug lists can all change. A quick review shows whether your current plan is still the best fit — or whether a different plan offers the same doctors for less.
How to Enroll, Step by Step
Read your renewal notice. Your current carrier will send your 2027 rate and any plan changes — note your new premium and whether your plan is being discontinued.
Gather your information: everyone in your household, your estimated 2027 income, your doctors, prescriptions, and preferred hospitals.
Compare plans side by side — premium, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, network, and drug coverage — not just the monthly price.
Check your financial help. Premium tax credits are available only on marketplace plans — through HealthCare.gov or your state's own marketplace.
Enroll by your state's deadline: December 15 in most states for coverage starting January 1, or by January 15 (January 29 in Virginia) for coverage starting February 1.
Pay your first premium on time. Your coverage doesn't take effect until the carrier receives your first payment.
Bronze, Silver, or Gold? Choosing a Metal Tier
Metal tiers describe how you and your plan split costs — not the quality of care. The right tier depends on how often you expect to use care and how much financial risk you're comfortable with.
Bronze: the lowest monthly premiums, with the highest deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Often a fit if you're healthy and mainly want protection from big bills.
Silver: moderate premiums and costs. If your income qualifies for cost-sharing reductions, those extra savings on deductibles and copays are only available on Silver plans.
Gold: higher premiums, with lower deductibles and copays. Often worth it if you see doctors regularly, take ongoing medications, or expect a procedure.
Financial Help and Plan Options
Many people pay far less than the full sticker price. During your review, I'll check which of these apply to you:
Federal premium tax credits, based on your household size and estimated income — available only on marketplace plans.
Cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays on Silver plans for eligible incomes.
State premium assistance where available, such as Colorado Premium Assistance, Maryland's state subsidies, and Virginia's new program for 2027.
Private plans outside the marketplace, which ask health questions and may cost less for healthy people who don't qualify for much financial help. If a private plan isn't the right fit, an ACA plan is always an option.
Losing Employer Coverage or on COBRA?
Losing job-based coverage qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period, so you don't have to wait for Open Enrollment — you generally have 60 days to enroll. If you're already on COBRA, Open Enrollment is a good time to compare: you can switch from COBRA to an individual plan during this window, and depending on your income, a plan with financial help may cost much less than COBRA.
How I Help During Open Enrollment — Always Free to You
A free review of your current plan and what it will cost in 2027. A side-by-side comparison of the marketplace and private options available to you, in plain English. Doctor and prescription checks before you enroll, so there are no surprises in January. A subsidy and premium-assistance check to see if you qualify for help lowering your monthly cost. Enrollment handled from start to finish, and support all year after. Most reviews take about 20–30 minutes.
Open Enrollment FAQ
When is Open Enrollment for 2027?
November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027, in most states; Virginia's runs through January 29, 2027. In most states, enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1.
What if I miss the Open Enrollment deadline?
You'll usually need a qualifying life event — such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby — to enroll in an ACA plan before next Open Enrollment. These trigger a Special Enrollment Period, typically 60 days to sign up. Private plans are often available year-round, depending on eligibility.
See the qualifying life events that open a Special Enrollment Period →Does it cost more to use a broker instead of enrolling myself?
No. Plan prices are the same either way. Brokers are paid by the insurance companies, so my help is free to you.
Can I keep my doctor?
Often, yes — but networks change every year. I check whether your doctors and hospitals are in network before you enroll.
I'm self-employed. Can I deduct my health insurance premiums?
Many self-employed people can deduct premiums for themselves and their families. Talk with your tax professional about your specific situation.
Which states do you serve?
I'm licensed in 32 states and help clients online by phone or video. Find your state in the deadline list above for your marketplace, 2027 changes, and local details.
What do I need for my review?
Your current plan details (if you have one), a list of your doctors and prescriptions, and an estimate of your 2027 household income.
Will my current plan renew automatically?
In most cases, yes — if you don't make a change, you'll typically be re-enrolled in the same plan, or a similar one if yours is discontinued. But your premium, network, and benefits may change, so it's worth reviewing before the deadline.
Do I need to update my income?
Yes, if you receive financial help. Tax credits are based on your estimated income for the year. If your actual income ends up higher, you may have to pay some of the credit back at tax time, so it's important to keep your estimate up to date.
When does my coverage actually start?
In most states, on January 1 if you enroll by December 15, or February 1 if you enroll by the final deadline — but only after you pay your first month's premium by the carrier's due date.
Don't wait until mid-December — the closer the deadline gets, the busier it gets. Last reviewed October 2026 by Heath Heimlich, licensed health insurance advisor (NPN 8799018). Sources: CMS; state marketplaces; healthinsurance.org. Proposed rates may change when final rates are approved.