Navigating the ACA Marketplace
Your guide to 2027 Open Enrollment — key dates, what's changed, and how to make sure you're not overpaying.
What Changed for 2027
A few real shifts are affecting what you'll pay and how you'll enroll this year. Here's what actually matters.
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Cigna is exiting the ACA Marketplace for 2027, affecting about 369,000 members nationwide — with Mississippi and Tennessee among the states hit hardest. Texas is also losing a carrier, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan. If you're currently covered by either, you'll need to actively select a new plan during Open Enrollment — your coverage won't simply carry over. I can help you find a comparable replacement.
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A new rule shortened Open Enrollment for most states, but a federal judge put that rule on hold in June 2026. That means the final deadline for many states is still unsettled as of this writing. I'm tracking this closely and will make sure you don't miss your actual window, whatever it ends up being.
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Expanded pandemic-era subsidies expired at the end of 2025 and weren't renewed. That means the original income cutoff is back in effect — if you earn above roughly $62,600 (individual) or $129,000 (family of four), you no longer qualify for any premium subsidy. If your income is anywhere near that range, it's worth double-checking your numbers before you enroll.
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After a steep jump in 2026, insurers are proposing another round of increases for 2027 — averaging around 14% nationally, on top of what was already a difficult year for many enrollees. Shopping around instead of auto-renewing matters more than ever.
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With subsidy eligibility and pricing shifting for so many people, staying on your current plan by default could mean overpaying, or missing a much better option. This is the year to actually compare, not coast.
Key Dates for 2027 Coverage
Nov 1 - Dec 15, 2026
Open Enrollment for the federal ACA Marketplace (HealthCare.gov) — enroll in or change your 2027 plan during this window.
Oct 13 - Dec 15, 2026
Georgia Residents: Georgia Access runs its own timeline — window shopping opens October 13, enrollment runs October 19 through December 15.
Jan 1, 2027
Coverage begins for everyone who enrolled by their applicable December 15 deadline, whether federal or state exchange.
Anytime - if you qualify
A qualifying life event — job change, marriage, new baby — opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period, any time of year.
Missed Open Enrollment? You May Still Qualify!
Open Enrollment isn't the only time you can get covered. A Special Enrollment Period gives you a 60-day window to enroll or change your plan outside the usual dates — triggered by a qualifying life event like:
Getting married or divorced
Having or adopting a baby
Losing other coverage (job loss, aging off a parent's plan, COBRA ending)
Moving to a new area
Income changes that affect your eligibility
Not sure if your situation qualifies? That's exactly the kind of question I can answer quickly — reach out and I'll check for you.
Let’s Make Sure You’re Covered - and Not Overpaying
Between the shifting subsidy rules, rising premiums, and a still-unsettled enrollment deadline, this year's Marketplace is more confusing than most. You don't have to sort through it alone — I'll help you figure out exactly where you stand and find a plan that actually fits.
