Category: Business News
Open enrollment for 2027 Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace coverage runs from 1 November 2026 to 15 January 2027 on HealthCare.gov in most states. Enroll by 15 December 2026 for coverage starting 1 January 2027; enrollments from 16 December to 15 January generally start on 1 February 2027.
This is the second enrollment season under the old subsidy rules. The enhanced premium tax credits that ran from 2021 to 2025 expired on 31 December 2025, and Congress has not renewed them.
The subsidy cliff is back
Under the original ACA formula, premium tax credits are available only to households with income between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Above 400%, the credit is zero — a hard cutoff, not a phase-out. Earn one dollar over the line and you lose the entire credit.
For 2027 coverage, the line uses the 2026 federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and Washington DC: $63,840 for a single person and $132,000 for a family of four. Alaska and Hawaii use higher figures.
The House passed a three-year extension of the enhanced credits on 8 January 2026 by 230–196, but the Senate has not taken it up — the Senate bill S.3385 failed to reach the 60-vote threshold in December 2025.
What else changes in 2027
- Benchmark silver premiums are up about 13% on average (KFF analysis, 30 October 2026).
- The out-of-pocket maximum rises 13% to $12,000 for a single person and $24,000 for a family (from $10,600 and $21,200).
- Excess premium tax credit must now be repaid in full — the repayment caps ended under the 2025 reconciliation law, first affecting returns filed in early 2027.
- From 1 January 2027, premium tax credits are limited to lawful permanent residents and a few other groups under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (2025). Many lawfully present immigrants, including refugees and asylees, lose eligibility.
- CMS says premiums of $50 or less remain available in 2027 to more than 75% of HealthCare.gov customers, after credits.
Dates to watch
State-run marketplaces set their own calendars — confirm dates on HealthCare.gov or the state marketplace. The HealthCare.gov helpline is 1-800-318-2596.
One caution on the end date: a court vacated a 2025 rule that would have ended enrollment on 15 December, so the window currently runs to 15 January — but the government has appealed, so the 15 January end date is not final. Enrolling by 15 December is the safe move for 1 January coverage.
Sources: KFF, 30 October 2026; CBPP, 27 October 2026; CMS Plan Year 2027 Marketplace Plans and Prices Fact Sheet, 30 October 2026; HealthCare.gov.
