Open Enrollment for 2027 Coverage
Open enrollment is the one time each year anyone can buy or change a marketplace plan without a qualifying event. If you are on the marketplace, this window decides your coverage for all of 2027. If you are on a private plan, you can shop any time, but this is still a good moment to compare.
Key dates
- November 1, 2026: open enrollment opens for 2027 coverage in states that use HealthCare.gov.
- December 15, 2026: the usual deadline to enroll for coverage that starts January 1, 2027.
- Closing date: varies by year and by state. State-run exchanges set their own windows. Do not assume you have until mid-January; confirm the date for your state with me.
What changed
The enhanced premium tax credits that lowered marketplace premiums from 2021 through 2025 expired. For 2026 that meant higher net premiums for many households and the loss of the subsidy entirely for people above the standard income cap. Those rules carry into 2027 unless Congress acts. Plans, networks and prices also change every year, so the plan you auto-renew into may not be the one you chose.
Who needs to act during this window
- Anyone on a marketplace plan who has not reviewed the 2027 version of their plan.
- Anyone whose income changed, because the subsidy estimate on file is wrong.
- Anyone who lost a subsidy and is now paying full price. This is the group that most often does better on a private plan.
- Anyone uninsured who needs guaranteed-issue coverage because of a health condition.
If you are healthy and above the subsidy range
Private, medically underwritten plans do not use open enrollment. You can apply in March or in November. But open enrollment is a natural checkpoint: pull the marketplace price, pull the private quote, and pick with both numbers in front of you.
How to get ready in ten minutes
- Estimate your 2027 household income, not 2026.
- List everyone who needs coverage and their birthdates.
- List medications and the doctors you want to keep.
- Send me the list. I handle the marketplace application and the private quote so you are not doing either alone.
Frequently asked questions
What if I miss the open enrollment deadline?
You need a qualifying life event such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage or a birth to get a special enrollment period. Otherwise, a private plan is the only way to start coverage until the next window, and only if you are approved.
Will my current marketplace plan renew automatically?
Usually, but into the 2027 version of that plan with a new price and possibly a different network. Review it rather than letting it roll.
Can a broker enroll me in a marketplace plan?
Yes. I am certified to enroll clients on the marketplace at no cost to you, and you get the same subsidy you would get doing it yourself.
I'm on a private plan. Do I need to do anything?
No action is required. I still recommend a quick annual review so you know you are not overpaying.
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Written by Frank Caballero, licensed insurance producer, NPN 21032307. Last updated 2026-10-16. General information, not tax or legal advice.