Open Enrollment 2027: Key Dates, Deadlines and What’s Changing

If you buy your own health insurance, the most important weeks of the year are coming up. Open enrollment for 2027 Marketplace coverage starts November 1, 2026 — and this year, with higher premiums and new plan rules, shopping around matters more than ever.

Wait — wasn’t open enrollment getting shorter?

It was supposed to. A federal rule finalized in 2025 would have ended HealthCare.gov’s 2027 enrollment window on December 15. That provision was vacated by a federal court in June 2026, and CMS confirmed in August 2026 that HealthCare.gov will keep the familiar November 1 – January 15 schedule for 2027 coverage.

If you saw older articles saying the deadline is December 15, that’s why. The practical advice is the same either way: enroll by December 15 so your new coverage starts January 1 with no gap.

State-run marketplaces may have different dates

Around 20 states and Washington, D.C. run their own exchanges and can set their own schedules. Some open earlier and some close later (for example, several have historically extended into late January), while at least one has a shorter window. If you live in a state with its own marketplace — such as California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania or Washington — check your state exchange’s website for the exact deadline. You can find your state’s marketplace by entering your ZIP code at HealthCare.gov.

What’s different for 2027

Higher out-of-pocket limits

The maximum a plan can make you pay for covered in-network care rises to $12,000 for an individual and $24,000 for a family in 2027, up from $10,600 and $21,200 in 2026. Some 2027 bronze plans may go as high as $15,600 for an individual. (New to these terms? Read how premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums work.)

Smaller subsidies than a few years ago

The “enhanced” premium tax credits that started in 2021 expired at the end of 2025 and were not renewed by Congress. That brought back the old income limit: households earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level generally don’t qualify for premium tax credits. If your income is near that line, small changes in reported income can make a big difference to what you pay — it’s worth estimating carefully.

Premiums are rising and some insurers are leaving

Many insurers filed for significant premium increases for 2027, and some are exiting certain markets. If your current insurer is leaving your area, you’ll need to choose a new plan — if you don’t, the marketplace may assign you to a similar one, which may not be the best fit.

Higher HSA limits

If you choose an HSA-eligible plan, you can contribute up to $4,500 (self-only) or $9,000 (family) in 2027, plus $1,000 more if you’re 55 or older.

Don’t just auto-renew

If you do nothing, many marketplaces will automatically renew you into the same or a similar plan. That’s convenient, but risky this year: your plan’s premium, network, drug coverage and out-of-pocket limit can all change, and your subsidy amount may change too. Log in, update your income and household information, and compare at least two or three options.

Your open enrollment checklist

1. Estimate your 2027 income. Subsidies are based on expected household income for the coming year, not last year’s.
2. List your doctors, hospitals and prescriptions. Check each plan’s network and drug list (formulary) before you pick.
3. Compare total yearly cost, not just premiums: 12 months of premiums plus your likely deductible and copays — and the out-of-pocket maximum for a bad year.
4. Look at Silver plans if your income is modest. Cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays, are only available on Silver plans for eligible incomes.
5. Consider an HSA-eligible plan if you’re healthy and can save — the tax benefits add up.
6. Enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage, and pay your first premium on time so your plan actually starts.

Missed the deadline?

After open enrollment ends, you can only sign up if you have a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby. These Special Enrollment Periods usually give you 60 days from the event. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications all year.

Sources: HealthCare.gov; CMS; IRS Revenue Procedure 2026-24; KFF. Dates shown apply to states using HealthCare.gov — state-run marketplaces may differ. This article is for education only and isn’t insurance advice. Last reviewed October 2026.