Enrolling in 2027 ACA Health Insurance

When is Open Enrollment for health insurance in 2027?

Open Enrollment typically runs from November 1 to January 15 each year, although the exact dates may vary by state. Knowing your state’s open enrollment timeline can help you be better prepared when enrollment begins.

The table below displays the 2027 open enrollment dates for the four states where Wellpoint offers Individual and Family Marketplace coverage.

Understanding how the Marketplace works

The Health Insurance Marketplace offers a range of health plans categorized into four metal levels – Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Not all metal levels are available in every state or from every insurer. While all metal levels offer the same essential health benefits, they differ in how care costs are shared between you and your insurer. Understanding these differences can help you choose the plan that's right for you and your family.

Once you meet your plan deductible, the cost-sharing breakdown for out-of-pocket care costs between you and your plan is as follows:

Preparing to enroll in an ACA health plan

Whether you’re enrolling during Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period, taking a few steps ahead of time can make choosing and enrolling in a health plan easier.

Familiarize yourself with key insurance terms

Understanding common health insurance terminology can make navigating enrollment much easier. Here are a few important terms to know:

• Premium: The monthly amount you pay for your health insurance plan.
• Deductible: The amount you pay out-of-pocket each year before your plan begins to cover care costs.
• Copay: A fixed fee you pay for certain covered healthcare services, such as a doctor's office visit. Copays usually do not count toward your deductible.
• Coinsurance: The percentage of care costs you’re responsible for after meeting your plan deductible.
• Out-of-pocket maximum: The maximum amount you’ll pay for covered, in-network services in a year. After reaching this limit, your plan covers 100% of eligible costs.

Check your eligibility for financial help

Financial help, or subsidies, may be available based on your income, household size, and where you live. Depending on your eligibility, you may qualify for both types of financial help:

• Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC): Reduces your monthly plan premium.
• Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs): Available only if you enroll in a Silver plan, CSRs lower your deductible, copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.

Evaluate your current plan

If you're already enrolled in a Marketplace plan, review your current coverage to decide whether to renew or select a different plan that better meets your needs. If you're new to the Marketplace, compare available plans to find the coverage that's right for you and your family.

When comparing plans, think about the care you expect to need in the coming year, including doctor visits, ongoing treatments, prescriptions, and preferred providers. Then consider the total cost of coverage — including monthly premium, deductible, copays, coinsurance, prescription costs, and annual out-of-pocket maximum — to choose a plan that fits your budget.

Review and prepare your information early

Gather the information you'll need to complete your application, including income documentation (W-2s, 1099s, prior-year tax returns), Social Security numbers, and information about everyone who will be covered. If you've had changes to your household, income, or address, update your Marketplace account before you enroll.

Know your state’s enrollment deadline

Open Enrollment deadlines vary by state. If you miss your state's deadline, you won't be able to sign up for a Marketplace plan until the next Open Enrollment Period. However, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you experience a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having a baby, or losing other health coverage.

Explore additional coverage options

Dental and vision care are important parts of your overall health. Open Enrollment is a great time to explore health plans that include dental and vision benefits. If you want dental coverage as part of an ACA Marketplace health plan, you'll need to enroll during your state's Open Enrollment Period or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period following a qualifying life event.

Choosing your insurance plan 

What you pay versus what your insurer pays 

How to Get Health Insurance After Open Enrollment

If you miss your state’s Open Enrollment Period, you won’t be able to enroll in a Marketplace health plan until the next Open Enrollment period unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

A Special Enrollment Period allows you to enroll in or change your health coverage outside of Open Enrollment if you experience certain qualifying life events. If you meet eligibility requirements, you may also qualify for financial help to lower the cost of your Marketplace coverage.

Some of the most common qualifying life events include:

• Getting married
• Having or adopting a child
• Losing your existing health coverage, such as through job loss
• Losing eligibility for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
• Getting divorced or legally separated if it affects your health coverage
• The death of a spouse or other household member that results in the loss of health coverage

In most cases, you have 60 days before or after your qualifying life event to enroll in a Marketplace plan. Acting quickly can help you avoid a gap in health coverage.