ACA Open Enrollment for 2027: dates, subsidy changes and how to sign up

The dates for 2027 coverage

Open Enrollment for 2027 health coverage on HealthCare.gov begins November 1, 2026, and runs through January 15, 2027. This is the main time each year when you can buy a Marketplace plan, switch plans, or update the information that sets your financial help.

The date you enroll decides when coverage starts. On HealthCare.gov, pick a plan by December 15, 2026, for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. If you pick a plan between December 16 and January 15, coverage starts February 1. Coverage only begins once you pay your first premium to the insurance company.

Some states and Washington, D.C. run their own Marketplace websites, and some set different dates. Several give people until late January. If your state has its own site, check its deadline directly rather than relying on the HealthCare.gov dates.

A shorter enrollment window was blocked

A federal rule issued in 2025 would have shortened Open Enrollment starting with 2027 coverage to about nine weeks, ending no later than December 31. A federal court vacated that part of the rule in 2026, and CMS has confirmed the November 1 to January 15 window for this year. Other parts of that rule are also on hold or not being enforced while lawsuits continue. Because appeals are ongoing, the rules for later years could still change.

What changed for 2027 financial help

The extra-large premium tax credits that Congress first passed in 2021 expired at the end of 2025. As of late October 2026, they have not been restored. That means the original Affordable Care Act rules apply again, and many people are paying more than they did in 2025.

Here is what that means in practice for 2027:

• Income limit returns. Households with income above 400% of the federal poverty level generally get no premium tax credit and pay the full premium.
• Higher expected contributions. For 2027, the IRS set the share of income people are expected to pay toward the benchmark silver plan at 2.15% to 10.22%, depending on income.
• Premiums are up again. KFF reports the average benchmark silver premium is rising about 13% for 2027, after a 26% jump for 2026. Your tax credit usually grows when the benchmark premium rises, but people without credits feel the full increase.
• Some states add their own help. KFF reports New Mexico, California, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Virginia offer state-funded subsidies for 2027 that make up some or all of the lost federal help.

Other rule changes to know

A 2025 federal budget law, along with recent regulations, made several other changes. These apply to coverage or taxes in 2026 and 2027:

• No cap on paying back extra credits. Starting with the 2026 tax year, if your income ends up higher than you estimated, you must repay all of the excess tax credit when you file taxes. Before, repayment was capped for many people. The first returns under this rule are filed in early 2027.
• Fewer immigrants qualify for credits. Starting in 2027, premium tax credits are limited mainly to green card holders, certain Cuban and Haitian entrants, and people from Compact of Free Association nations. Refugees and asylees can still buy a plan but at full price.
• Medicaid work requirements. Starting in 2027, people who are denied or lose Medicaid only because they did not meet the new work requirement can't get a Marketplace tax credit.
• Catastrophic plans. A planned expansion of who can buy low-premium catastrophic plans was paused by a court. These plans are generally limited to people under 30 or those with a hardship exemption.

Why you shouldn't just let your plan renew

If you're already enrolled through HealthCare.gov and do nothing, you'll usually be re-enrolled automatically in the same plan or a similar one. For 2027, that still works. But it can be costly. Your plan's premium, deductible, drug list and doctor network may all change, and your tax credit is figured from last year's information unless you update it.

Automatic re-enrollment is also on its way out. Under the 2025 budget law, starting with 2028 coverage, people must have their eligibility verified before they can get tax credits, and enrollees can no longer be automatically re-enrolled the way they are now. Getting used to logging in and updating your application each year is a good habit to start now.

How to update your income and compare plans

Log in to HealthCare.gov or your state's site and update your application before you choose a plan. Your tax credit is based on your expected household income for 2027, so use your best honest estimate. Include wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, and taxable retirement withdrawals. If your income changes during the year, report it as soon as you can so your credit can be adjusted. With repayment caps gone, this matters more than before.

When you compare plans, look at the estimated total yearly cost, not just the monthly premium. Check the deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, then confirm your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions are covered. If your income is low enough to qualify for cost-sharing reductions, those extra savings only come with a Silver plan.

Watch for enrollment scams

Federal officials have reported problems with people being enrolled or switched by agents without their knowledge. New 2027 rules bar agents and brokers from offering cash or rebates to get people to enroll, falsely promising $0 premiums, or giving fake deadlines. Never give your login or Social Security number to someone who calls you out of the blue. Check your account on HealthCare.gov to confirm your plan is the one you chose.

Where to get free help

You can get free, unbiased help from trained Navigators and certified assisters. Federal Navigator funding was cut sharply starting in 2026, so there are fewer of them in some areas, and appointments can fill up close to deadlines.

• Search for local help by ZIP code at localhelp.healthcare.gov.
• Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596.
• If your state runs its own Marketplace, use the help line listed on its website.
• Licensed agents and brokers can also help at no charge to you, but ask which insurers they represent.