HealthCare.gov Opens Enrollment for 2027 Health Insurance Coverage

HealthCare.gov opened enrollment Sunday, November 1, for health insurance coverage in 2027, giving Americans who use the federal Marketplace a new opportunity to buy a plan or review the coverage they already have. The enrollment window runs through January 15, 2027, but consumers who want their new coverage to begin on January 1 face an earlier deadline.

December 15, 2026, is the cutoff for selecting a plan that starts at the beginning of the year. People who enroll later in the open-enrollment period can still obtain coverage, although their start date generally moves to February 1. The first premium must be paid before the policy takes effect.

The opening follows an October 30 report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) describing the plans and prices available through HealthCare.gov for 2027. The agency expects a broad choice of policies and says many consumers will have access to low monthly premiums, though the price any household actually pays depends on its eligibility for financial assistance and the options offered locally.

December 15 determines whether coverage starts in January

The federal Marketplace has two important enrollment deadlines rather than one. According to HealthCare.gov’s enrollment calendar, applications completed by December 15 can secure coverage beginning January 1, 2027. Selections made from December 16 through January 15 generally take effect February 1, provided the first premium is paid.

That distinction matters for someone whose current insurance expires at the end of December. Waiting until January to select a plan may leave a gap in coverage during the first month of 2027. A person who already has a Marketplace policy should also check what will happen to that policy at renewal rather than assuming an unchanged plan will remain available at the same price.

January 15 is the final day of the regular enrollment period on HealthCare.gov, not the deadline for January 1 coverage. Once that window closes, people generally need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, getting married or having a child, to enroll in or change a Marketplace plan through a special enrollment period.

The federal dates do not necessarily describe every state-run exchange. Some states operate their own Marketplace websites and may have different enrollment procedures or deadlines. HealthCare.gov directs applicants to their state’s enrollment platform when the state runs its own exchange, so residents should verify the schedule that applies to their location.

CMS projects wide plan choice, with prices varying by household

In its 2027 Marketplace plans and prices fact sheet, CMS said consumers using HealthCare.gov will have access to about 100 plans from five to six insurance companies on average. Those figures describe an average across the federal platform. They are not a promise that every household will see that many choices in its ZIP code.

The agency also said more than 75% of people purchasing coverage through HealthCare.gov will continue to have access to monthly premiums of $50 or less in 2027. This is an estimate about the availability of lower-cost options, not a guarantee that every plan will cost $50 or that all applicants will qualify for the same savings.

Federal premium tax credits can reduce what eligible households pay each month. CMS said consumers who qualify for tax credits will have access to a lowest-cost plan for which federal assistance covers nearly 90% of the premium. The actual subsidy depends on factors including household income, family size and the cost of qualifying plans in the applicant’s area.

The agency highlighted a wider selection of health savings account-eligible coverage as well. CMS projects that eligible enrollees will have access to an average of 35 HSA-eligible plans in 2027. Such plans can provide tax advantages for qualifying medical expenses, but their premiums, deductibles and other costs still need to be weighed against alternatives.

A lower premium does not necessarily mean a lower annual insurance bill. Deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket costs can make two similarly priced plans financially different. Provider networks and covered medications also matter, particularly for people expecting regular treatment. HealthCare.gov allows applicants to review benefits and look for their doctors and prescriptions when comparing available plans.

CMS said the lowest-cost catastrophic plan has an average premium nearly 10% below the next-lowest-cost plan in other coverage categories. Those policies can be less expensive to maintain each month, but their cost-sharing features and eligibility rules make them a different choice from a standard Bronze, Silver or Gold plan.

Renewing households face a fresh financial-assistance calculation

For people already insured through the Marketplace, open enrollment is more than an opportunity to keep the same plan. HealthCare.gov advises existing customers to update their expected 2027 household income and family information before comparing renewal options. Even when an insurer offers the same policy, the amount paid by the consumer can change because premiums and tax-credit calculations change.

Some current enrollees may be automatically placed in coverage for January 1 if they do not act by December 15. Automatic renewal is not guaranteed in every case, however, and it does not mean the new year’s premium or benefits will match the old ones. Notices from the insurer and Marketplace provide details about whether a plan remains available, a possible automatic assignment and changes in financial assistance.

The subsidy calculation deserves particular attention. The temporary expansion of federal premium tax credits that applied through 2025 has expired. Under current Internal Revenue Service guidance, households generally must have income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty line to qualify for a premium tax credit, subject to other eligibility conditions and limited exceptions. Having received a credit in an earlier year does not, by itself, establish eligibility for 2027.

The IRS also says that for tax years after 2025 there is no longer a cap on repayment of excess advance premium tax credits. Someone who receives more assistance during 2027 than their final household income allows may have to repay the entire excess when filing a tax return. Updating income estimates during enrollment, and again if circumstances change, can reduce that risk.

Consumers can complete an application online through HealthCare.gov, apply by telephone, work with a trained local enrollment assister or use an approved enrollment partner. The Marketplace also offers a paper application. Applicants can preview options and estimated premiums with household and income information, but the completed application determines their actual eligibility and available savings.

People who qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program can apply throughout the year rather than waiting for a Marketplace open-enrollment window. For those buying coverage through HealthCare.gov, December 15 remains the key date for avoiding a delayed start in January, while January 15, 2027, is the final regular opportunity to enroll for coverage beginning February 1.