ACA open enrollment for 2027 coverage starts November 1, 2026 and ends January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Enroll or change plans by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. In 2027, the most a Marketplace plan can make you pay out of pocket rises to $12,000 for one person, and savings go only to people with certain immigration statuses. Subsidies still reach incomes up to 400% of the poverty line.
Key takeaways
- Open enrollment runs November 1 to January 15. Pick a plan by December 15 for January 1 coverage, or by January 15 for coverage that starts February 1.
- The 2027 out-of-pocket limit is $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family, up from $10,600 and $21,200 in 2026.
- For 2027, the IRS says a household at 300% to 400% of the poverty line is expected to pay 10.22% of its income toward the benchmark plan.
- Savings are available at incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Above that, there is no premium tax credit.
- Starting January 1, 2027, only green card holders, Cuban or Haitian entrants and Compact of Free Association migrants qualify for savings.
If you buy your own health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, your window to pick 2027 coverage opens in a few weeks. Even if you already have a plan, it is worth checking, because plans, prices and the rules for help paying for coverage can change from one year to the next.
This post covers the dates, the cost limits already set for 2027, how the government’s premium help works and what to do before November 1. Final 2027 plan prices were not available as of October 11, 2026, so we do not guess at them.
When is ACA open enrollment for 2027?
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage starts November 1, 2026. HealthCare.gov lists these dates:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 1 | Open enrollment starts. You can enroll, renew or change plans. |
| December 15 | Last day to enroll or change plans for coverage that starts January 1. |
| January 1 | Coverage starts if you enrolled by December 15 and paid your first premium. |
| January 15 | Open enrollment ends. After this, you generally need a Special Enrollment Period. |
| February 1 | Coverage starts if you enrolled from December 16 through January 15 and paid your first premium. |
A Special Enrollment Period is a short window outside open enrollment that opens after certain life events, such as losing other coverage. If your state runs its own marketplace instead of HealthCare.gov, use its website to confirm its dates.
What is the out-of-pocket limit in 2027?
Every Marketplace plan has a ceiling on what you can pay in a year for covered care, not counting your monthly premium. HealthCare.gov says that limit rises in 2027.
| Year | One person | Family |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $10,600 | $21,200 |
| 2027 | $12,000 | $24,000 |
Those are the most a plan can require. Many plans set a lower limit, so compare the number on each plan, not just the premium.
How does premium help work in 2027?
The main help is the premium tax credit. It lowers your monthly premium. HealthCare.gov says you qualify with income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The IRS says the same range in its premium tax credit guidance: at least 100% and no more than 400% of the poverty line.
Here is the basic idea. The credit is tied to the benchmark plan, which is the second-lowest-priced Silver plan that applies to you, as HealthCare.gov defines it. You are expected to pay a share of your income toward that plan. The credit covers the rest.
The IRS set that share for 2027 in Rev. Proc. 2026-26. The table below shows it, with the income for a single person using the 2026 poverty guidelines ($15,960 for one person in the contiguous states and D.C.). HealthCare.gov says 2027 income levels will be posted on November 1 and that 2026 amounts work for a rough estimate until then.
| Household income (% of FPL) | Single person’s income (approx.) | Share of income expected toward the benchmark plan |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 133% | Under $21,227 | 2.15% |
| 133% to under 150% | $21,227 to $23,939 | 3.23% to 4.3% |
| 150% to under 200% | $23,940 to $31,919 | 4.3% to 6.78% |
| 200% to under 250% | $31,920 to $39,899 | 6.78% to 8.66% |
| 250% to under 300% | $39,900 to $47,879 | 8.66% to 10.22% |
| 300% to 400% | $47,880 to $63,840 | 10.22% |
Within a band, the percentage rises as your income rises, which is why two numbers are shown. The income column is our own math (poverty level × the percentage), so treat it as an estimate.
What does that look like in dollars?
Here is an illustration, not a quote. Say you are single and expect $50,000 of income in 2027. That is between 300% and 400% of the poverty line, so the IRS table puts your expected share at 10.22%. Say the benchmark plan in your area costs $700 a month. That price is made up for this example.
- Expected yearly payment: $50,000 × 0.1022 = $5,110
- Expected monthly payment: $5,110 ÷ 12 = $425.83
- Monthly credit: $700 − $425.83 = $274.17
If you pick a plan that costs more than the benchmark, you pay the difference on top. If you pick a cheaper plan, the credit can lower your price further. Your real numbers will depend on your county, age and plan.
What happens if your income is above 400% of the poverty line?
You do not get a premium tax credit. For one person using 2026 guidelines, 400% is about $63,840. Because savings depend on your income estimate for the year you want coverage, a raise or a side job that pushes you over that line matters. The IRS also says that if your household income is 400% of the poverty line or more, you must repay all excess advance credit payments for the year.
That makes a careful income estimate important in November, and an update during the year if your income changes.
Who is losing access to savings in 2027?
HealthCare.gov says that starting January 1, 2027, only people with certain immigration statuses qualify for savings. It lists green card holders, Cuban or Haitian entrants and Compact of Free Association migrants. People with other statuses may still be able to buy Marketplace coverage, but not with savings.
If this affects your household, update your application, and check the HealthCare.gov page for the full rules.
What to do now
- Find your current plan’s notice. Look for the letter or email about your 2027 plan. Your plan may change price or stop being offered.
- Estimate your 2027 income. Start with adjusted gross income, then add changes you expect, such as a raise, a new job or less self-employment income. Our income tax calculator can help with the tax side.
- Check your household size. HealthCare.gov says to count yourself, your spouse and anyone you will claim as a tax dependent, even if they do not need coverage. See our federal poverty level page for the guideline amounts.
- Set your budget. Decide what you can pay each month and the most you can afford in a bad year. Our budget calculator can help.
- Log in on or after November 1. Compare plans on premium, deductible and out-of-pocket limit, not premium alone.
- Enroll by December 15. That keeps your coverage starting on January 1.
Need the dollar amounts for a household of any size? The federal poverty level page has the full 2026 table.
Frequently asked questions
When does ACA open enrollment start for 2027?
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage starts November 1, 2026, according to HealthCare.gov. That is the first day you can enroll in a plan, renew your current plan or switch to a new one. You can also update your application with the changes you expect for the year ahead. If your state runs its own marketplace, check its website for its exact dates.
What is the ACA open enrollment deadline for January 1 coverage?
December 15 is the last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage that starts January 1, as long as you also pay your first premium. Open enrollment itself lasts until January 15. If you enroll or change plans from December 16 through January 15 and pay your first premium, coverage starts February 1.
How much will ACA plans cost in 2027?
It depends on your plan, your county and your income. HealthCare.gov says it will post 2027 plan prices and income levels on November 1, so final numbers are not available yet. What is already set is the cost-sharing ceiling: no more than $12,000 out of pocket for one person or $24,000 for a family on a Marketplace plan in 2027.
Who qualifies for ACA premium tax credits in 2027?
HealthCare.gov says you qualify for savings with income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, and you must meet other rules, such as not having affordable job-based coverage. Starting January 1, 2027, a law change also limits savings to people with certain immigration statuses. Your savings are based on your income estimate for the year you want coverage.
What happens if I miss ACA open enrollment?
After January 15, you can generally enroll only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, which usually follows a life event such as losing other coverage. If you have no qualifying event, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment. Mark December 15 and January 15 on your calendar now so you do not end up without coverage.
Do I need to update my income estimate for 2027?
Yes. HealthCare.gov says your savings are based on your income estimate for the year you want coverage, not last year. Start with your household's adjusted gross income and update it for changes you expect, such as a raise, a new job or less self-employment income. A bad estimate can leave you with too much or too little help during the year.