ACA Premiums 2027: Shoppers who thought last year’s sticker shock was a one-time event are about to learn otherwise. Insurers selling plans on the Affordable Care Act exchanges have asked state regulators for a median increase of 15 percent, according to KFF’s review of 276 filings covering all 50 states and Washington, D.C. That makes ACA premiums 2027 the second straight year of double-digit hikes, following a median finalized increase of 20 percent for 2026. If the requests hold, typical premiums will have climbed by more than one-third in two years. The cause is a mix of rising hospital and drug costs, the end of the enhanced federal subsidies and a sicker pool of enrollees. Open enrollment for 2027 coverage starts November 1. We’ll be updating this article monthly.
The timing matters because the rules around the money have shifted too. The IRS has published its 2027 subsidy table, with families expected to contribute between 2.15 percent and 10.22 percent of income toward a benchmark plan, and the subsidy cliff at 400 percent of the poverty level is back. For a single adult that line sits at $63,840. A federal court also threw out a rule that would have shortened enrollment, so most states will keep the window open until January 15, although the practical deadline for January 1 coverage is December 15. This guide explains where the numbers come from, what you will likely pay, how to apply, and how to cut your bill. A free calculator below estimates your own 2027 premium.
ACA Premiums 2027 Key Dates and Figures
| Item | Latest detail |
|---|---|
| Median proposed premium increase for 2027 | 15 percent (276 insurers, all 50 states and DC) |
| Range of proposed changes | Negative 1 percent to 54 percent |
| Insurers asking for more than 25 percent | 51 |
| 2026 median proposed / finalized increase | 18 percent / 20 percent |
| Medical cost trend used in filings | 10 percent median (about 8 percent in recent years) |
| Enhanced subsidies | Expired December 31, 2025 |
| Subsidy income range for 2027 coverage | 100 to 400 percent of poverty (single person: $15,960 to $63,840) |
| Expected contribution range, 2027 | 2.15 percent to 10.22 percent of income |
| Open enrollment, most states | November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 |
| Deadline for January 1 coverage | December 15, 2026 |
| Final rates visible to shoppers | When 2027 plans go live, with window shopping in late October |
ACA Premium Increase 2027: What Insurers Are Asking Regulators For
Every spring and summer, health insurers file proposed rates with state regulators. KFF analyzed the filings that were public as of early August. The median request is 15 percent, and most insurers, 63 percent of them, asked for an increase between 10 percent and 25 percent. The middle half of the market clusters between 11 percent and 22 percent. One insurer proposed a cut. At the other end, 51 insurers want more than 25 percent.
The early read from 77 insurers in 16 states and D.C. was slightly lower at 14 percent, so the picture sharpened as more states reported. KFF notes this is the second-highest requested change since 2018, after years in which premiums were mostly flat. Last year’s request of 18 percent grew to 20 percent after state review, and benchmark silver premiums, the plans that anchor federal subsidies, rose 26 percent on average once finalized. Because filings are preliminary, your final rate can land above or below the headline median.
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Why Are ACA Premiums Going Up in 2027?
Medical costs keep rising
Insurers used a median medical trend of 10 percent for 2027, which is higher than the roughly 8 percent seen in each of the last few years. That figure blends price increases with greater use of care. Hospital stays, doctor visits and prescriptions are all getting more expensive, and insurers pass that through to premiums.
Inflation, wages and billing patterns
Filings point to broad inflation, labor shortages that raise wages at hospitals and clinics, and a trend toward higher-intensity billing, sometimes called claims severity. Some insurers say providers are asking for double-digit reimbursement increases and that consolidation of hospital systems leaves them little bargaining power.
GLP-1 drugs and the No Surprises Act
Weight-loss and diabetes drugs are a growing line item. One New York insurer reported that the cost per member of these drugs more than tripled in two years. Some carriers dropped coverage for weight loss uses, which should ease pressure, while others expect continued growth. A smaller number of filings also cite the cost of settling payment disputes under the No Surprises Act, with one New York insurer adding 0.8 percent to its request.
The end of the enhanced subsidies
This is the factor unique to the marketplace. When the enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, healthier people were more likely to drop coverage. That left a sicker group of enrollees. Insurers say the effect added about 4 percentage points to 2026 rates, and they expect it to add roughly another 4 points in 2027. Federal policy changes, including the 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule, the 2027 payment notice and the 2025 budget law, are mentioned in some filings as well, though less often.
What an ACA Premium Increase Looks Like in Real Dollars
KFF gives a concrete example. A 40-year-old in Indianapolis earning $65,000 and enrolled in an Anthem silver plan paid $316 a month in 2025 with the enhanced subsidies. That rose to $477 in 2026 as the credits expired and prices climbed, and it would reach $546 a month in 2027 if the filed rate is approved. That is $158 more each month, or 41 percent, over two years. People with incomes just above 400 percent of poverty have been hit the hardest because they lost eligibility altogether.
Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expired: What That Means for Your 2027 Bill
The expiration changed three things at once. The cliff came back, so households above 400 percent of the poverty level no longer get any help. The percentages families must contribute went up for everyone else. And average payments after subsidies jumped about 58 percent in 2026, which pushed many people into cheaper bronze plans with higher deductibles. KFF also reported that marketplace enrollment fell by about 3 million after the change. Even so, 87 percent of people who signed up for 2026 plans still received some subsidy, and subsidies continue to shield many enrollees from the sticker price.
ACA Subsidy Percentages 2027: How Much of Your Income Goes to Premiums
For 2027 coverage, the IRS table in Revenue Procedure 2026-26 sets the share of income you are expected to pay for the benchmark silver plan. The subsidy fills the gap between that contribution and the benchmark price. Percentages rise slightly from 2026.
| Income (percent of poverty level) | 2026 expected contribution | 2027 expected contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Below 133 | 2.10% | 2.15% |
| 133 to 150 | 3.14% to 4.19% | 3.23% to 4.30% |
| 150 to 200 | 4.19% to 6.60% | 4.30% to 6.78% |
| 200 to 250 | 6.60% to 8.44% | 6.78% to 8.66% |
| 250 to 300 | 8.44% to 9.96% | 8.66% to 10.22% |
| 300 to 400 | 9.96% | 10.22% |
| Above 400 | No subsidy | No subsidy |
The IRS also set the 2027 affordability threshold for employer coverage at 10.22 percent of income, up from 9.96 percent in 2026. Eligibility for 2027 coverage uses the 2026 poverty guidelines, which are $15,960 for one person and $33,000 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and D.C.
| Household size | 100% of poverty | 138% (Medicaid line in expansion states) | 400% (subsidy cutoff) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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How Much Will You Pay in 2027? Examples for a Single Adult
These examples assume a benchmark silver premium of $600 a month in 2026 that rises 15 percent to $690 in 2027, and they show what a single adult would pay for that benchmark plan after subsidies. Your plan prices and local benchmark will differ.
| Annual income | Pays in 2026 | Pays in 2027 (estimate) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $97 a month | $96 a month | Subsidy absorbs most of the increase |
| $40,000 | $287 a month | $289 a month | Nearly flat because the subsidy grows |
| $55,000 | $457 a month | $468 a month | Slightly higher percentage of income |
| $63,000 | $600 a month (no subsidy) | $537 a month | The 2027 cutoff is higher than 2026 |
| $70,000 | $600 a month (no subsidy) | $690 a month (no subsidy) | Pays the entire increase |
The pattern is clear. When income is below the cutoff, the subsidy is tied to income, so the percentage increase in the sticker price matters less. Above the cutoff, every dollar of premium growth lands on the household.
ACA Premium Calculator 2027: Estimate Your Subsidy and Monthly Cost
Enter your household size, income and your 2026 benchmark premium. The tool compares 2026 with an estimated 2027 and shows the change per year.
Uses the IRS 2027 applicable percentage table (Rev. Proc. 2026-26) and 2026 HHS poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and DC. The default 15 percent is the median proposed increase in KFF’s analysis of 276 insurers. Your plan’s real price will differ. Find your benchmark premium on HealthCare.gov or your state exchange.
ACA Open Enrollment 2027 Dates and Deadlines by State
For 2027 coverage, the window opens November 1, 2026 and runs through January 15, 2027 in most states, including those that use HealthCare.gov. A 2025 federal rule would have ended enrollment on December 15, but a federal judge vacated it in June, and CMS confirmed the longer schedule in early August. The federal government has appealed, with oral arguments scheduled for late October, so future years could change. For January 1 coverage in nearly every state, you still need to pick a plan by December 15.
| Marketplace | 2027 open enrollment window |
|---|---|
| HealthCare.gov states | November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 |
| California, New Jersey, New York, District of Columbia | Through January 31, 2027 |
| Virginia | Through January 29, 2027 |
| Massachusetts | October 23, 2026 to January 23, 2027 |
| Connecticut | October 23, 2026 to January 15, 2027 |
| Rhode Island | Through December 31, 2026 |
| Idaho | October 15 to December 15, 2026 |
| Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and others | Through January 15, 2027 |
How to Apply for ACA Marketplace Coverage?
- Create an account or log in on HealthCare.gov, or on your state exchange if your state runs its own.
- Enter household members, ages, tax filing status and your estimated 2027 income.
- Check whether you qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, which you can join all year if eligible.
- Compare plans by total yearly cost, not just the monthly premium. Look at the deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, drug list and doctors in network.
- Choose how much of your subsidy to take in advance each month.
- Select a plan and submit by December 15 for January 1 coverage.
- Pay the first premium to the insurer by its deadline, because coverage is not active until that payment posts.
If you already have a marketplace plan, you will generally be renewed automatically, but automatic renewal can leave you in a plan whose price rose sharply. Review your renewal notice and compare options.
ACA Application Processing Time and How to Check Your Status?
Most applications get an eligibility result right after you submit. Sometimes the system flags a mismatch in income or citizenship records and asks for documents, in which case you generally have up to 90 days to submit proof. Your plan starts January 1 if you enroll by December 15. Later enrollments in HealthCare.gov states may start in February under rules that apply for the longer window, so confirm the effective date on your confirmation page.
| Step | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Eligibility result | Usually shown immediately after you submit your application |
| Document requests | Upload proof if the marketplace asks, usually within 90 days |
| Plan confirmation | Check your account for the plan name and effective date |
| Insurer bill and ID cards | Arrive after the insurer receives your enrollment |
| Check status | Log in to HealthCare.gov or your state exchange |
ACA Premium Payment Schedule
Premiums are billed monthly, and the insurer sets the due dates. The first payment must be made to activate coverage. After that, people who receive advance premium tax credits generally have a three-month grace period if they miss a payment, while those without subsidies usually get a shorter one set by state rules. During the grace period the insurer may hold claims after the first month, and coverage can end retroactively if you do not catch up. Setting up automatic payments is the simplest way to avoid trouble.
Remember tax time as well. Advance credits are reconciled on Form 8962 when you file, so if your income ends up higher than you estimated, you may owe some of the credit back. Updating your income in your marketplace account during the year keeps the monthly amount closer to the truth.
How to Lower Your ACA Premium in 2027?
- Update your income estimate honestly. Overestimating lowers your subsidy, and underestimating can mean a tax bill later.
- Compare every plan in your county. Switching to another insurer within the same metal tier can save hundreds of dollars a year.
- Check cost-sharing reduction silver plans if your income is up to 250 percent of poverty. Silver plans for people at 100 to 150 percent have about 94 percent actuarial value, at 151 to 200 percent about 87 percent, and at 201 to 250 percent about 73 percent, which can lower deductibles.
- Look at bronze plans if you rarely use care, but make sure you could afford the deductible if you got sick.
- Ask whether your job offers affordable coverage. For 2027 an employer plan is considered affordable if the cheapest self-only option costs no more than 10.22 percent of income.
- If you are close to 400 percent of poverty, look at deductions that lower your modified adjusted gross income, such as traditional retirement or health savings account contributions, and talk to a tax professional.
- Check your state for its own subsidy or reinsurance program, since some states help fill the gap left by the federal changes.
- Consider a qualified navigator or broker. Their help is generally free to you.
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ACA Premiums 2027 Official Links
Use only .gov or official state exchange addresses to log in. The marketplace will never ask you to pay to apply.
| Resource | What it is for | Link |
|---|---|---|
| HealthCare.gov | Login, registration, apply, renew and check application status | healthcare.gov |
| Find your state marketplace | Choose HealthCare.gov or your state exchange | Marketplace in your state |
| CMS | Federal announcements about enrollment and rules | cms.gov |
| IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-26 | Official 2027 applicable percentage table | IRS revenue procedure |
| HHS poverty guidelines | 2026 poverty levels used for 2027 subsidies | ASPE poverty guidelines |
| KFF Marketplace Calculator | Independent subsidy estimate | KFF calculator |
| KFF 2027 premium analysis | Rate filings and the reasons for increases | Peterson-KFF brief |
| Open enrollment deadlines | State by state 2027 dates | healthinsurance.org deadlines |
| Premium tax credit guide | Plain-language examples for 2027 | Beyond the Basics |
| Enrollment court tracker | Status of the appeal over the enrollment window | Georgetown litigation tracker |
ACA Premiums 2027 FAQs
How much will ACA premiums go up in 2027?
The median proposed increase is 15 percent across 276 insurers. Individual requests range from a 1 percent cut to a 54 percent increase, and final approved rates may differ.
Why are ACA premiums going up again?
Medical costs are rising faster, insurers expect inflation and labor costs to stay high, drug spending is climbing, and the expired enhanced subsidies left a sicker risk pool.
When does open enrollment start for 2027?
November 1, 2026 in most states. It ends January 15, 2027 in HealthCare.gov states, but you need to pick a plan by December 15 for coverage on January 1.
Is there still a subsidy cliff?
Yes. For 2027 coverage, subsidies stop above 400 percent of the poverty level, which is $63,840 for one person and $132,000 for a family of four.
Will my subsidy cover the increase?
If your income is below the cutoff, your subsidy is tied to the price of the benchmark plan, so it typically rises when premiums rise. You may still pay more because the required percentage of income went up slightly.
Do I need to reapply for 2027?
You can usually be renewed automatically, but you should update your income and review your options to avoid overpaying.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Outside open enrollment, you generally need a qualifying life event such as job loss, marriage, a move or the birth of a child to get a special enrollment period.
Are ACA premiums going up in 2027?
Yes. Insurers have proposed a median 15 percent increase, following about 20 percent for 2026.
How much is the average ACA plan per month?
It varies by age, location and plan level. In the example above, a benchmark silver plan at $600 a month would rise to about $690 at a 15 percent increase. Use your own state exchange for exact prices.
What income is too high for ACA subsidies?
For 2027 coverage, income above 400 percent of the poverty level, such as $63,840 for a single person, generally disqualifies you from the premium tax credit.
Can I get ACA subsidies if I earn too much?
Not under the current rules. Lowering your modified adjusted gross income through allowable deductions is the main way to stay under the line.
Is Obamacare getting cheaper in 2027?
Not on average. Sticker prices are rising, and the percentage of income that subsidized households are expected to pay edges up slightly.
When will final 2027 ACA rates be announced?
State regulators finalize rates in late summer and early fall, and exact prices appear when plans go live on November 1, with window shopping often available in late October.
Conclusion: What to Do Before November 1
ACA premiums 2027 are heading higher for the second year in a row, and the biggest shock is reserved for households near or above the 400 percent line. Before enrollment opens, gather your income estimate, look up your 2026 benchmark premium and run it through the calculator. Compare plans in your county, watch the December 15 deadline, and keep your documents ready in case the marketplace asks for proof. If your insurer’s final rate looks steep, shop around instead of accepting automatic renewal. We’ll keep this guide current as final rates and court rulings come in.
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