Open enrollment for 2027 health coverage opens November 1, 2026 — and this year, the stakes are higher than usual. Premiums are rising at a pace not seen in years, plan options are shifting in many states, and some of the subsidy structures millions of people rely on are in flux. If you have been auto-renewing your plan without reviewing it, 2026 is the year to stop doing that.
Here is everything you need to know to make a confident, cost-effective decision before the deadline.
Key Dates for Open Enrollment 2027
Mark these on your calendar now:
- November 1, 2026 — Open enrollment begins. You can enroll in a new plan, renew your current plan, or make changes to your existing coverage.
- December 15, 2026 — Last day to enroll or switch plans for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. Miss this date and your new plan won’t kick in until February.
- January 15, 2027 — Open enrollment closes. This is the final deadline to enroll or make changes for 2027 coverage. Plans selected after December 15 will have a February 1 start date.
State-based marketplaces may have different deadlines. If you live in a state with its own exchange — such as California, New York, Texas (via HealthCare.gov), or others — confirm your state’s specific dates, as some extend enrollment beyond January 15.
Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, and other states where Bri is licensed all use the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace, so the November 1 – January 15 window applies to you.
What Is Changing for 2027 Coverage
Premiums Are Going Up — Significantly
Insurers filing for 2027 have proposed a median premium increase of approximately 15% across the individual and small group markets. That is substantially higher than prior years and reflects a combination of factors: rising healthcare utilization post-pandemic, higher prescription drug costs, and general medical inflation.
Employer-sponsored coverage is not immune either — employer health benefit costs are projected to rise 8.2% in 2027, the fastest rate of increase since 2003. Many employers are responding by shifting more of that cost to employees through higher deductibles, increased employee premium contributions, and narrower network options.
The practical implication: the plan you had in 2026 may cost meaningfully more in 2027, even if nothing else about your situation changes. Do not auto-renew without comparing.
Insurer Participation Is Shifting
In many states, insurers are entering or exiting the Marketplace for 2027. A plan that covered your doctors or medications in 2026 may not be available in your zip code next year — or may have restructured its network significantly. Always verify that your preferred providers are still in-network and that your prescriptions remain on the formulary before renewing.
Subsidy Landscape: Know Where You Stand
The enhanced premium tax credits that have been in place since the American Rescue Plan significantly expanded who qualifies for Marketplace subsidies and how much they can receive. The status of these enhanced subsidies for 2027 is tied to ongoing legislative and regulatory activity.
What this means for you: If you currently receive a premium tax credit, do not assume it will remain the same amount in 2027. Run an updated estimate during open enrollment using your actual 2026 income and household information. A licensed broker can do this with you at no cost and identify whether you qualify for additional savings you may be leaving on the table.
Network and Plan Design Changes
Beyond premiums, many plans are adjusting their network breadth, cost-sharing structures, and drug formularies for 2027. Common changes to watch for:
- Deductibles increasing even when premiums appear stable
- Specialist and hospital network changes — particularly in employer-sponsored plans switching carriers
- Drug tier changes that move your medications to a higher (more expensive) tier
- Mental health and behavioral health benefits — coverage and network adequacy requirements are a continuing area of regulatory activity
Who Needs to Act During Open Enrollment
Individuals and Families on Marketplace Plans
If you currently have a Marketplace plan — whether purchased directly or through HealthCare.gov — you must actively compare plans this enrollment period. With premiums increasing across the board, the plan that offered the best value in 2026 may not be the best choice in 2027.
Key steps:
- Log into HealthCare.gov and update your household and income information
- Compare your current plan’s 2027 premium and cost-sharing against available alternatives
- Verify that your doctors, hospital, and prescriptions are still covered
- Check whether your subsidy amount has changed
People Losing Employer Coverage
If you are losing employer-sponsored coverage due to job change, reduction in hours, employer business closure, or a change in your employer’s plan offerings, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period outside of the standard open enrollment window. However, open enrollment is also an opportunity to compare Marketplace options proactively — especially if your employer plan costs are rising sharply.
Adults Approaching 65 or Medicare Eligibility
If you will turn 65 in 2027, open enrollment is a transition planning moment. You will eventually move from individual market coverage (or employer coverage) to Medicare — and the timing and sequencing of that transition matters. Enrolling in a Marketplace plan for 2027 while planning your Medicare enrollment is something a licensed broker can help you coordinate carefully to avoid coverage gaps or late enrollment penalties.
Small Business Owners and Employers
For employers with 50 to 100 employees — particularly those with aging or retiring workforces — 2027 is a year to evaluate whether your current group plan still makes sense. With employer health costs rising at their fastest pace in two decades, there may be alternatives worth exploring: group plan restructuring, defined contribution strategies, or supporting employees who might be better served by individual Marketplace plans with subsidy eligibility.
Why Working with a Broker Costs You Nothing
This is a point worth making clearly: using a licensed health insurance broker does not cost you more. Broker compensation is built into insurance premiums by the carriers — you pay the same premium whether you enroll directly through HealthCare.gov or through a licensed broker. The difference is that with a broker, you get:
- A professional review of your options, not just a side-by-side premium comparison
- Guidance on subsidy eligibility and how to maximize your tax credit
- Verification that your doctors and prescriptions are actually covered by the plan you choose
- Ongoing support throughout the year if coverage issues arise
- Someone who knows your situation when open enrollment comes around again next year
There is no catch, no additional fee, and no obligation. Bri is licensed in Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas — and works with individuals, families, and employers across all of those states.
Don’t Wait Until January
The single most common open enrollment mistake is waiting. Waiting means:
- Less time to compare plans carefully before the December 15 deadline for January 1 coverage
- Higher call and processing volume at insurers and at HealthCare.gov as the deadline approaches
- No coverage gap protection if a change in your situation — a new diagnosis, a new prescription — happens while you are still deciding
November is the right time to review. Even if you ultimately decide to renew your current plan, you will have made that decision with current information rather than by default.
Questions About Your 2027 Coverage Options?
Open enrollment is one of the most consequential financial decisions most people make each year, and 2027 brings more complexity than most recent years. If you have questions about your options, your subsidy eligibility, or what to watch for as your employer’s plan changes, reach out.
Schedule a free coverage review — no obligation, no fee. Just a clear-eyed look at what makes sense for you in 2027.