Open enrollment for the ACA Marketplace 2027 began on November 1, and the sticker shock is real. KFF reports that benchmark silver premiums are rising an average of 13% for 2027, on top of a 26% jump between 2025 and 2026. The enhanced premium tax credits that kept bills low during the pandemic era expired on December 31, 2025, and Congress has not revived them. The House passed a three-year extension in January, but it has sat in the Senate since February without a vote. For many households that means higher monthly bills, a return of the 400% income cliff, and a plan that may disappear entirely, since 11 insurers have announced exits from at least one state for 2027. We’ll be updating this article monthly.
If you buy your own coverage, the next few weeks matter. On HealthCare.gov, enrollment runs through January 15, 2027, and you need to pick a plan by December 15 for coverage to start on January 1. State-run marketplaces set their own dates. This guide explains what changed, who is hit hardest, and the practical moves that can cut your ACA premium for 2027, from switching metal tiers to lowering your taxable income. It includes a free subsidy calculator that compares your 2027 credit with the expired rules, worked examples, and a table of official links. All numbers come from federal guidance, KFF, and other reporting available as of November 11, 2026.
ACA Marketplace 2027 Key Dates and Highlights
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Open enrollment start | November 1, 2026 in most states |
| HealthCare.gov deadline | January 15, 2027 |
| Last day to enroll for January 1 coverage | December 15, 2026 |
| Average benchmark silver premium change | Up about 13% for 2027 |
| HealthCare.gov states, benchmark increase | About 11% |
| State-based marketplaces, benchmark increase | About 16% |
| Median proposed rate increase in early filings | 14% |
| Enhanced premium tax credits | Expired December 31, 2025 |
| Subsidy income limit | 400% of the federal poverty level is back |
| 2027 out-of-pocket maximum | $12,000 for an individual, up from $10,600 |
| HSA limits for 2027 | $4,500 self-only, $9,000 family |
| Medicaid work requirements | Due in 43 states and D.C. by January 1, 2027 |
Why ACA Premiums Are Rising in 2027
Three forces are pushing prices up. The first is ordinary medical inflation. In early rate filings from 77 insurers in 16 states and D.C., KFF found a median proposed increase of 14%, and 20 insurers asked for more than 20%. Insurers point to hospital costs, physician visits, specialty drugs, and GLP-1 medications.
The second force is a sicker customer base. When the enhanced credits expired, healthier people with higher incomes dropped coverage first. Insurers say that leftover pool is more expensive to cover, and they estimate it adds roughly 4 percentage points to 2027 rates, similar to the effect in 2026.
The third is federal rule changes. Insurers cite the 2027 payment notice and last year’s marketplace integrity rule as upward pressures on cost. Rates vary widely by state. HealthInsurance.org puts weighted increases at about 3% in Vermont and nearly 28% in Arizona.
The context makes the number sting. After the enhanced credits expired, KFF found average out-of-pocket premiums rose 58% in 2026, and deductibles climbed by about $1,000 per person. If the new increases hold, typical premiums would be more than a third higher in 2027 than in 2025.
Did ACA Subsidies Expire? What the Premium Tax Credit Looks Like Now
Yes. The enhanced credits created during the pandemic and extended through 2025 are gone. The original premium tax credit rules are back, which means two big changes for ACA subsidies in 2027.
First, the income cap returned. Households earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level get no credit at all. It is a cliff, not a phase-out, so one dollar over the line removes the whole credit. For 2027 coverage, 400% of the poverty level is $63,840 for one person and $132,000 for a family of four.
Second, the share of income you are expected to pay is higher. Under the enhanced rules, nobody paid more than 8.5% of income for the benchmark plan. Under the 2027 schedule, people at 300% to 400% of the poverty level pay 10.22%.
| Income as a share of the federal poverty level | Expected share of income for the benchmark plan, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Below 133% | 2.15% |
| 133% to 150% | 3.23% to 4.3% |
| 150% to 200% | 4.3% to 6.78% |
| 200% to 250% | 6.78% to 8.66% |
| 250% to 300% | 8.66% to 10.22% |
| 300% to 400% | 10.22% |
| Above 400% | No premium tax credit |
The credit equals the benchmark premium minus your expected contribution. Because the credit is tied to the benchmark plan, it rises when the benchmark rises. That is why many subsidized enrollees feel less of the 13% increase than people who pay full price.
On the legislative front, the House passed H.R. 1834, a three-year extension, by a vote of 230 to 196 on January 8, 2026. In the Senate, a similar bill failed a cloture vote 51 to 48 in December 2025, short of the 60 needed. As of today, no extension is law.
ACA Subsidy Calculator 2027: Estimate Your Premium Tax Credit
The calculator on this page estimates your 2027 credit and compares it with what you would have received under the expired enhanced schedule. Enter your household size, your expected 2027 income, and the benchmark silver premium for your household, which you can see on HealthCare.gov or your state exchange in window shopping mode.
Use your modified adjusted gross income, not your salary. For most people that is adjusted gross income plus tax-exempt interest and certain foreign income. Remember that you can lower MAGI with pre-tax contributions to a traditional 401(k) or an HSA, which matters a great deal near the 400% line.
| Situation | Benchmark | You pay now | Under 2025 rules | Extra monthly cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, $30,000 income | $500 | $155 | $38 | $117 |
| Single, $45,000 income | $520 | $362 | $198 | $164 |
| Couple, $80,000 income | $1,700 | $681 | $516 | $165 |
| Family of four, $60,000 income | $1,500 | $294 | $64 | $230 |
These examples use straight-line estimates inside each income band, so your result may differ by a few dollars. They assume a household in the 48 contiguous states.
ACA Marketplace 2027 Subsidy Calculator
Estimate your 2027 premium tax credit under current law and compare it with the expired enhanced rules. Uses 2026 federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and D.C. Estimates only.
The 400% Cliff: Why One Dollar Can Cost Thousands
The cliff is the sharpest edge of the new system. Take a single person with a $700 benchmark premium. At $63,000 of income, they sit just under the line and receive about $163 a month in credit. At $64,000, they receive nothing and pay the full $700. A $1,000 raise costs them roughly $1,960 a year in lost help.
If you are near the line, check whether you can lower your MAGI legally. Pre-tax contributions to a traditional 401(k), 403(b), or health savings account reduce MAGI. Self-employed people may also be able to deduct health insurance costs, retirement plan contributions, and half of self-employment tax. Talk to a tax professional before you rely on any of this.
Also note a rule change at tax time. Starting with the 2026 tax year, the limits on repaying excess advance premium tax credits are eliminated, according to KFF. If you take a larger credit than you qualify for, you may owe the full difference when you file in early 2027. Update your income on your marketplace account when it changes, instead of waiting until April.
ACA Open Enrollment 2027: Dates and Deadlines
HealthCare.gov open enrollment runs from November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Pick a plan by December 15 for coverage beginning January 1. If you enroll later in the window, coverage usually starts the first day of the following month, so a plan chosen in late December typically starts in February. State exchanges set their own schedules, so check yours.
The calendar has been in legal flux. A court vacated a shorter, nine-week open enrollment window that federal officials had planned, and the government’s appeal is pending, so the longer dates above currently apply. Confirm the dates for your state before you rely on them.
Oregon deserves a note. It now runs its own platform, Explore Health, with window shopping that opened October 15 and enrollment that began November 1.
How to Apply for ACA Marketplace Coverage Step by Step
First, gather your information. You need Social Security numbers or immigration documents for everyone applying, an estimate of your 2027 income, and details of any job-based coverage offered to you or your family.
Second, go to HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace and create an account, or log in if you already have one. Update your household and income details before you shop, since they drive your credit.
Third, compare plans. Look at the premium, the deductible, the out-of-pocket maximum, and whether your doctors and prescriptions are covered. The 2027 out-of-pocket maximum is $12,000 for an individual.
Fourth, pick a plan and submit your application. Pay your first premium directly to the insurer by the deadline it sets, since coverage does not start until that payment posts.
Fifth, save your confirmation and check your account for requests for documents.
If your current plan is ending, do not rely on automatic renewal. Hundreds of thousands of enrollees have plans that end on December 31, 2026 because their insurer is leaving. Most states will assign a replacement plan by algorithm, and the result may be a different network or a higher deductible. Choosing your own plan is safer. Cigna, for example, is leaving the individual market in all 11 states where it sells plans.
ACA Application Processing Time: How Long Until Coverage Starts?
HealthCare.gov usually tells you right away whether you qualify for a credit. The slower part is verification. If the marketplace cannot match your income or citizenship data, it sends a request for documents, and you generally have 90 days to respond. Missing that window can cost you your subsidy.
Your coverage start date depends on when you pick a plan and when your first payment posts, not on how fast the government finishes reviewing documents. As noted above, a selection by December 15 means a January 1 start. Keep screenshots and confirmation numbers, and call the marketplace call center at 1-800-318-2596 if your account shows a problem.
One 2027 detail helps enrollees. Failure to reconcile, the old rule that cut off subsidies for people who skipped tax form 8962, will not disqualify enrollees from 2027 credits, according to KFF. You should still file correctly.
ACA Premium Payment Schedule and Grace Period
Premiums are due monthly, on the date your insurer sets. If you receive advance premium tax credits and have paid at least your first full month, federal rules generally give you a three-month grace period before coverage ends for nonpayment. Your insurer pays claims during the first month of that grace period and may pend or deny claims in the second and third months. Without a subsidy, grace periods are set by state law and are often shorter.
Automatic payments are a simple way to avoid trouble. If your premium rose, check your budget before January and set a reminder to review your plan again in the spring if your income changes.
Best Plan Options in 2027: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Catastrophic
Bronze plans carry the lowest premiums but the highest deductibles. They remain eligible for health savings accounts in 2027, with contribution limits of $4,500 for self-only coverage and $9,000 for family coverage. A court stayed a rule that would have let some bronze plans have an out-of-pocket limit as high as $15,600, so $12,000 remains the ceiling.
Silver plans matter most if your income is under about 250% of the poverty level. Cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays, are available only on silver plans. For many lower-income households, silver with cost-sharing help can be a better value than a cheaper bronze plan.
Gold plans cost more each month but cover more of your bills. They can pay off if you expect regular care, ongoing prescriptions, or a procedure in 2027.
Catastrophic plans are narrower than before. A 2025 rule that opened them to more people was stayed in court in July 2026, so eligibility is again limited to people under 30 and those with a hardship or affordability exemption. Exemption paperwork takes time, so start early.
Who Loses Marketplace Help in 2027? Immigrants, Medicaid and Fraud Rules
Several groups face new limits. Starting with plan year 2027, only lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and residents of Compact of Free Association states keep eligibility for premium tax credits. Refugees, asylees, trafficking victims, and most temporary visa holders can still buy coverage but must pay full price.
Medicaid is changing too. Federal law requires work requirements in 43 states and D.C. by January 1, 2027. Adults who are denied or removed for failing those requirements become ineligible for premium tax credits in those states.
Enforcement is tighter. In September 2026, HHS canceled about 760,000 enrollments it described as phantom, and federal officials announced a pause on new broker and agent registrations until February 2027. HealthInsurance.org reports a judge stayed that pause on November 5. Proposed Treasury rules issued October 14 would add citizenship limits and verification steps for advance payments, but they are not final.
State Help: Where Subsidies Still Fill the Gap
Some states are stepping in. New Mexico fully replaced the lost federal help in 2026 and continues in 2027. California is extending partial help to households at 165% to 200% of the poverty level. Virginia’s new Premium Savings program, which began November 1, serves households at 138% to 250% of the poverty level, or roughly $22,025 to $39,900 for one person. Rhode Island’s RIMAP program covers households at 138% to 200% of poverty, plus some above 400% whose coverage would cost more than 18% of income.
Check your state exchange before you pick a plan, because state aid can change which tier makes sense.
Smart Ways to Lower Your ACA Premium in 2027
Start by comparing every plan, not just the one you have now. Network and price changes can be large from one year to the next.
Next, check your income estimate. Overstating it can reduce your monthly credit, and understating it can create a bill at tax time. If you are close to a threshold, ask a tax professional about retirement or HSA contributions.
Then look at the metal tier. If you are healthy and under 400% of poverty, a bronze plan can cut your premium, while silver with cost-sharing help may suit lower incomes. Finally, ask a licensed navigator or broker for free help. Federal navigator funding was cut for 2026, so book early.
Official ACA Marketplace Websites and Resources
| Resource | What you can do there | Link |
|---|---|---|
| HealthCare.gov | Apply, log in, and compare plans | https://www.healthcare.gov |
| Window shopping | See plans and prices | https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/ |
| Find local help | Locate a navigator or broker | https://www.healthcare.gov/find-local-help/ |
| State marketplaces | Find your state’s exchange | https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace-in-your-state/ |
| Marketplace call center | Application and status help | 1-800-318-2596 |
| CMS Marketplace | Federal rules and updates | https://www.cms.gov/marketplace |
| IRS premium tax credit | Rules and eligibility | https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/the-premium-tax-credit |
| IRS Form 8962 | Reconcile your credit at tax time | https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8962 |
| HHS poverty guidelines | Income thresholds | https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines |
| KFF subsidy calculator | Independent estimate | https://www.kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/ |
To check the status of an application, log in to your HealthCare.gov or state exchange account and open your eligibility results and notices.
FAQs About ACA Marketplace 2027
How much are ACA premiums going up in 2027?
Benchmark silver premiums are rising an average of 13%, according to KFF. Increases are about 11% in HealthCare.gov states and 16% in state-run marketplaces, and your own change depends on your state and insurer.
Did the enhanced ACA subsidies expire?
Yes. They ended on December 31, 2025, and no extension has been enacted. The original credit rules and the 400% income limit apply for 2027.
When is open enrollment for 2027 coverage?
It began November 1, 2026. On HealthCare.gov it runs through January 15, 2027, with a December 15 deadline for coverage starting January 1.
What is the income limit for ACA subsidies in 2027?
It is 400% of the federal poverty level, which is $63,840 for one person and $132,000 for a family of four.
What is the out-of-pocket maximum for 2027?
It is $12,000 for an individual, up from $10,600 in 2026.
Can I still get coverage if my insurer is leaving?
Yes. You can choose a new plan in open enrollment. Pick one yourself rather than waiting for automatic assignment.
What is the cheapest ACA plan?
Bronze plans usually have the lowest monthly premiums, but they come with high deductibles. Catastrophic plans are cheaper still, but only people under 30 or with a hardship exemption can buy them.
Do I have to pay back my premium tax credit?
Possibly. If your advance credits were larger than the amount you qualify for, you reconcile on Form 8962. Starting with the 2026 tax year, the caps on repayment are eliminated.
What happens if I make too much for ACA subsidies?
You can still buy a marketplace plan, but you pay the full premium. Lowering your MAGI with pre-tax contributions may bring you back under 400%.
Will Congress extend the ACA subsidies?
Nothing has passed. The House approved a three-year extension in January, but the Senate has not acted on it.
Can immigrants get ACA subsidies in 2027?
Only lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and Compact of Free Association residents keep eligibility starting in 2027. Others can buy coverage at full price.
What is the ACA grace period?
If you get advance credits and paid your first month, you generally have three months to catch up on missed premiums before coverage ends.
Conclusion
The ACA Marketplace 2027 is costlier and more complicated than it was two years ago. Premiums are climbing, the enhanced credits are gone, and some insurers are leaving. Still, the system has room for savings. Compare plans in window shopping, run your numbers through the calculator, check for state help, and choose a plan before December 15 if you want January 1 coverage. Keep your income estimate current, and file Form 8962 carefully next spring.
