Open Enrollment for 2027 Marketplace health plans starts November 1. If you buy your own coverage — or have none — here is what you need to know about the dates, the money, and your options before the window opens.
The key dates
In states that use HealthCare.gov, Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs on the same schedule as recent years:
A federal rule issued in 2025 would have ended the window on December 15. A court set that rule aside in June 2026, and CMS confirmed in August that HealthCare.gov will keep the November 1 – January 15 schedule. You may still see the shorter date quoted on older websites.
States that run their own exchanges set their own calendars, so if you live in one of them, check your state's marketplace for its exact dates. Either way, treat December 15 as your real deadline: enroll by then and you avoid a gap in coverage in January.
What changed with the premium tax credit
From 2021 through 2025, enhanced premium tax credits lowered what most Marketplace shoppers paid and removed the upper income limit for help. Those enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025, and the original rules are back:
- Premium tax credits are generally available to households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level.
- The 400% line is a hard cutoff. A household one dollar over it gets no credit at all, rather than a smaller one.
- Households that do qualify are expected to pay a larger share of their income toward premiums than they did in 2025.
Insurers have also filed rate increases for 2027, so even if you were happy with your plan this year, it is worth comparing before you let it renew automatically.
Income limits by household size
Marketplace help for 2027 is based on the 2026 federal poverty guidelines and your expected income for 2027. Here is roughly where the important lines fall:
| Household size | 100% FPL | 138% FPL | 400% FPL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $22,025 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $29,863 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,702 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $45,540 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $53,378 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $44,360 | $61,217 | $177,440 |
2026 HHS poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC. Alaska and Hawaii use higher figures. Add $5,680 for each additional person.
Below 138%
In the states that expanded Medicaid, you will usually qualify for Medicaid rather than a Marketplace plan. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications all year, so you don't need to wait for Open Enrollment. In states that did not expand, some people in this range fall into a coverage gap where they qualify for neither Medicaid nor a tax credit.
Between 138% and 400%
This is the core range for premium tax credits. The size of your credit depends on your income, age, ZIP code, and household, and on the price of the benchmark plan where you live. Only the Marketplace can confirm the exact amount.
Above 400%
You can still buy a Marketplace plan, but you will pay the full premium. Because the cutoff is a cliff, income just over the line matters a lot. Pre-tax contributions, such as to a health savings account or a traditional IRA, can lower the income the Marketplace counts.
When other coverage changes the picture
- Job-based coverage. If your employer offers a plan that is considered affordable (for 2026, self-only coverage costing under about 9.96% of household income) and meets minimum standards, you generally can't get a tax credit. You can still buy a Marketplace plan at full price.
- Medicare. If you are 65 or older or eligible for Medicare Part A, Medicare is usually your program. Its Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7.
- Medicaid, CHIP, VA, or TRICARE. These already count as qualifying coverage, and you generally can't get a Marketplace tax credit while enrolled.
Can you enroll outside Open Enrollment?
Yes, if you have a qualifying life event. These open a Special Enrollment Period, usually lasting 60 days from the event:
- Losing (or about to lose) other health coverage
- Moving to a new ZIP code or county
- Getting married, divorced, or legally separated
- Having a baby, adopting, or placing a child in foster care
- A significant change in household income
You will usually need to provide documentation of the event.
How to get ready before November 1
- Estimate your 2027 income. Credits are based on what you expect to earn next year, and they are reconciled on your tax return. Too low an estimate can mean paying some back.
- Count your tax household. Include yourself, your spouse if you file jointly, and anyone you claim as a dependent.
- List your doctors and prescriptions. Networks and drug lists change from year to year.
- Don't auto-renew blindly. With higher premiums and smaller credits, the plan that was best last year may not be best now.
Where to get help
You never have to pay for help enrolling. You can compare every available plan at HealthCare.gov or call the Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325), 24 hours a day. Trained Navigators and certified application counselors also offer free local help in most communities.
If you would rather talk it through with someone, a licensed agent can walk you through your options at no extra cost. Agents are paid by insurance carriers, and your premium is the same whether you enroll through an agent, the carrier, or HealthCare.gov.
This article is general information, not an eligibility determination, an application, an offer of insurance, or tax or legal advice. Only the Health Insurance Marketplace, your state Medicaid agency, or Medicare can determine what you qualify for. Dates and rules can change; confirm current details at HealthCare.gov or your state's marketplace before you enroll.