Tennessee open enrollment 2027 Open enrollment · Tennessee

Tennessee Open Enrollment 2027 for Self-Employed

Last updated November 3, 2026 · By Frank Caballero, licensed health insurance broker

Short answer

For self-employed people and 1099 contractors in Tennessee, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov, and December 15 is the date to choose by for a January 1 start. A private, medically underwritten plan does not wait for the window: if approved, it can start the first of any month, which suits income that never arrives on a schedule.

What 2027 looks like for you

Tennessee's average 2027 rate change is 12.7% to 15.6% (finalized). One insurer is leaving Tennessee's individual market, so some renewals arrive as a plan you did not pick. The details are on the Tennessee 2027 premium increase page.

The subsidy line for 2027 sits at 400% of the federal poverty level: $63,840 for one person and $86,560 for two. For self-employed people the income that counts is net business income after expenses, plus any other household income, and a strong fourth quarter can carry you over the line. Starting with tax year 2026 there is no cap on repaying excess advance credit, so estimate carefully. General information, not tax advice — confirm with your CPA based on your specific entity structure.

Tennessee this year

Tennessee's 2027 increase falls between about 13 and 16 percent depending on the tracker, with rates now final, and one of the six insurers is leaving. If yours is the one exiting, the automatic replacement may come with a different network. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga each have distinct hospital systems, so the right plan depends heavily on where you live. Tennessee is a HealthCare.gov state, so the window ends January 15, 2027. Nashville session musicians, songwriters and touring crews, Memphis logistics contractors and Gatlinburg tourism owners above the subsidy line face a double-digit increase on their own.

Work I see most often among Tennessee's self-employed buyers: session musicians, songwriters and touring crews in Nashville, owner-operator truck drivers and logistics contractors around the Memphis hub, construction trades, real estate agents, healthcare industry consultants, and tourism businesses in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

One thing to do before you choose

Touring musicians and crew should check how a plan handles care while they are on the road, not just at home in Nashville. Look up the plan's out-of-area rules and your home doctors before December 15. If you're fit and over the subsidy limit, I can also quote a private plan rated by health and age. That plan has to clear a health review and sits outside the ACA Marketplace, and what it covers varies from plan to plan.

Your checklist

Your Tennessee renewal notice and its 2027 price
A net income estimate with a cushion
Doctors and prescriptions in each network
A private quote if you are healthy and near the line

Private plan or Marketplace?

Private plan

Healthy and above the line: priced on age, ZIP code and health, not income. Approval depends on health answers; not an ACA Marketplace plan.

Marketplace

A health condition or income under the line: HealthCare.gov must accept you, and the subsidy may make it the better value.

Compare Tennessee plans this open enrollment

Private plans priced first, the Marketplace alongside when it fits. Phone or video, English or Spanish, no fee.

Get a quote Book a call (786) 218-2384

About your broker

Frank Caballero (NPN 21032307), licensed in 31 states including Tennessee. Phone or video, English or Spanish, no fee; independent, not HealthCare.gov or any government agency.

Questions

When is the 2027 open enrollment deadline in Tennessee?

January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Choose by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1; plans picked after that start February 1.

I'm a Nashville songwriter whose royalties vary a lot. How do I estimate 2027 earnings for the Marketplace?

Combine expected royalties, session fees and any other self-employment earnings into one yearly net figure. If you land near $63,840, the 2027 cutoff for one person, small swings matter, so update HealthCare.gov during the year if a big check changes your total.

Can I get a private plan in Tennessee after open enrollment closes?

Yes. You can apply in any month and, if approved, a private plan can start the first of a month; the insurer can decline based on health answers.

More for Tennessee

Official sources: HealthCare.gov, the federal Marketplace; HealthCare.gov: special enrollment periods. FC Insurance Solutions is an independent, licensed brokerage and is not affiliated with any government agency.

Written by Frank Caballero, licensed health insurance broker in Tennessee and 30 other states, NPN 21032307. Last updated November 3, 2026.