Medically reviewed by Jawad Arshad, MD, FACEP. Last reviewed: October 1, 2026.
Disclosure: Marketplace plans are health insurance. The Health Membership mentioned near the end of this guide is membership-based coverage, and membership is not insurance.
Open enrollment for 2027 starts November 1, 2026, and the date that matters most is December 15. That is the last day to pick a plan if you want coverage to start on January 1. Prices are rising and some insurers are leaving, so this year is not the year to let your plan renew without a look.
Key facts
- HealthCare.gov open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 (healthinsurance.org, August 2026).
- December 15, 2026 is the last day to enroll or change plans for coverage that starts January 1, 2027 (HealthCare.gov, 2026).
- Insurers requested a median premium increase of 15% for 2027, after an 18% median request for 2026 (Medical Daily, September 2026).
- The 2027 out-of-pocket maximum for non-grandfathered plans rises to $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family, up from $10,600 and $21,200 (CMS, via WTW, 2026).
- For 2027, the premium tax credit schedule runs from 2.15% to 10.22% of household income, with no credit above 400% of the federal poverty level (IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-26; Medical Daily, 2026).
- Texas will have 14 participating Marketplace insurers for 2027, after Cigna and Baylor Scott and White left (healthinsurance.org, 2026).
When does open enrollment end?
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage ends January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov, but December 15, 2026 is the deadline for coverage that starts January 1 (healthinsurance.org, August 2026; HealthCare.gov, 2026).
This is the point most people miss. Two dates matter, and they do different jobs. Pick a plan by December 15 and coverage starts January 1. Pick a plan from December 16 through January 15 and you can still enroll, but coverage starts February 1 if you pay your first premium (HealthCare.gov, 2026).
Table: 2027 HealthCare.gov dates and what each one means
| If you enroll | Coverage starts | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| November 1 to December 15, 2026 | January 1, 2027 | No gap if your 2026 plan ends December 31 |
| December 16, 2026 to January 15, 2027 | February 1, 2027 | One month with no coverage unless you have another source |
| January 16 to October 31, 2027 | Only with a special enrollment period | You need a qualifying life event |
Source: HealthCare.gov dates and deadlines (2026) and healthinsurance.org (2026). A gap in January means you pay for any care that month yourself.
A court blocked a rule that would have shortened the window to December 15. A judge vacated that rule in June 2026, the government appealed in July, and oral arguments are set for late October 2026 (healthinsurance.org, August 2026). The longer window applies for 2027 today. Do not count on it. If you rely on January, you give up January 1 coverage by choice.
What are the new open enrollment dates by state?
Most state-run marketplaces end open enrollment on January 15, 2027, but several end earlier or later (healthinsurance.org, 2026). Idaho ends December 15. Rhode Island ends December 31. Massachusetts ends January 23. California, the District of Columbia, New Jersey and New York end January 31.
States that use HealthCare.gov follow the federal dates above. Texas is a HealthCare.gov state, so Texas residents have until January 15, 2027, with December 15 as the January 1 coverage deadline. Our Texas health insurance open enrollment guide and our Florida open enrollment guide cover those two large markets. If your state runs its own marketplace, confirm the exact date on that marketplace's website before you plan around it.
What are the 2027 open enrollment changes?
The biggest 2027 changes are higher requested premiums, higher out-of-pocket limits, and a smaller premium tax credit than many households had in 2025. Each one changes what you should compare.
Premiums. Insurers requested a median premium increase of 15% for 2027, with requests ranging from a 1% decrease to a 54% increase (Medical Daily, September 2026). The same report notes an 18% median request for 2026 that became 20%. Our 2027 premium increases by state tracker shows filings for your state.
Out-of-pocket maximum. The most a non-grandfathered plan can make you pay in a year rises to $12,000 for an individual and $24,000 for a family in 2027, up 13.2% from $10,600 and $21,200 in 2026 (CMS, as summarized by WTW, 2026). A plan with a low premium can still carry a very high ceiling, so read the maximum.
Subsidies. The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. The credit schedule for 2027 runs from 2.15% of income for the lowest-income households to 10.22% for households between 300% and 400% of the federal poverty level, and there is no credit above 400% (IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-26; Medical Daily, September 2026). Here is the math for a household whose income lands in the top band. At $60,000 of income, the most it pays toward the benchmark plan is 10.22% of $60,000, which is $6,132 a year or $511 a month (calculated from IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-26). Your own band depends on household size and the federal poverty level, so use your state marketplace's calculator.
Insurer exits. Cigna is leaving 11 states and Molina is shrinking from 14 states to 6 (Medical Daily, September 2026). If your insurer leaves, your plan may be replaced automatically with one that has a different network and price. Check your renewal notice, and do not assume your doctor stays in network.
What should I do before open enrollment ends?
Start in early November, compare at least three plans, and finish before December 15. A short checklist keeps the work simple.
- Open your 2026 renewal notice and note what your plan will cost for 2027.
- Update your income estimate on your state marketplace, because it sets your credit.
- Check that your doctors and prescriptions are covered under each plan you compare.
- Compare the premium, the deductible and the out-of-pocket maximum together.
- Pick your plan by December 15 and pay the first premium so coverage starts January 1.
- Save your confirmation and watch for a payment notice.
Copy this list into your notes app and tick items off as you go. Our special enrollment period guide explains what to do if you miss the window, and our best health insurance plans guide helps you sort plan types. Employers planning their own open enrollment season can use our open enrollment guide for employers.
Results depend on your situation, your state and plan rules. Not legal or tax advice.
Lock In Your 2027 Plan Before the Deadline
A licensed professional will confirm your state's deadline, compare plans in your county, and help you enroll before December 15 so coverage starts January 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does open enrollment end?
When is open enrollment for health insurance 2027?
When is ACA open enrollment 2027 in Texas?
What are the 2027 open enrollment changes?
What happens if I enroll after December 15?
What can I do if I miss open enrollment?
Sources: HealthCare.gov, Dates and deadlines for 2027 coverage (2026); healthinsurance.org, What are the deadlines for the ACA's open enrollment period (August 10, 2026); Medical Daily, ACA open enrollment 2027 dates, premiums and deadlines (September 18, 2026); CMS 2027 annual dollar limits on cost sharing, as summarized by WTW (2026); IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-26 (2027 premium tax credit and affordability percentages); healthinsurance.org, Texas health insurance overview (2026); Summit Health Benefits, Individuals and Families plan page (2026).