Open enrollment for 2027 individual health insurance opened on November 1, 2026, across the federal exchange and state marketplaces, bringing higher baseline rates and rising out-of-pocket spending caps. Roughly 19.2 million Americans who rely on marketplaces—including gig workers, small business owners, and early retirees—must evaluate shifts in carrier networks and subsidy calculations.
Essential Facts on 2027 Coverage
- The federal open enrollment period runs from November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027, on HealthCare.gov.
- Enrolling by December 15 secures coverage starting January 1, 2027, while later selections take effect February 1, 2027.
- The nationwide median proposed rate increase for individual market plans is roughly 15 percent.
- The individual maximum out-of-pocket cost limit rises by $1,400 to reach $12,000 in 2027.
- Insurance carriers are terminating exchange participation in 24 states at the close of 2026.
Rising Premiums and Wider Rate Variations
Proposed insurance rates show broad geographic differences for the 2027 plan year. While the median proposed rate increase nationwide is approximately 15 percent, weighted average requests range from under 7 percent in Vermont, New York, Iowa, and Utah to a 29 percent jump in Arizona.
State regulators have scrutinized these filings to shield consumers from excessive charges. In Pennsylvania, the state insurance department stopped nearly $95 million in proposed carrier rate hikes during its formal rate review process. "Insurers and premiums can change, and the plan that offered the best value this year may not be the best choice for next year," noted health policy analyst Louise Norris.
Shifting Insurer Footprints Across Exchanges
Carrier participation will look markedly different next year, terminating hundreds of thousands of individual enrollments at the close of 2026 as insurers pull out of exchanges in 24 states. When a company leaves, the marketplace may automatically reassign enrollees to an alternate plan, making manual account review necessary.
Seven states—California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas—will each see one new insurer enter their marketplaces. Consumers should verify whether their current doctors and prescription drugs remain covered under any reassigned or newly selected network.
Changes to Deductibles, Maximums, and HSAs
The maximum out-of-pocket limit for an individual plan climbs to $12,000 for 2027, up from $10,600 in 2026. This cap represents the highest total cost-sharing an enrollee pays in a calendar year for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
For consumers evaluating high-deductible health plans compatible with health savings accounts, qualifying 2027 plans carry minimum deductibles of $1,750 for individuals and $3,500 for families. Federal contribution ceilings for these tax-advantaged accounts rise to $4,500 for individuals and $9,000 for family coverage.
Enrollment Cutoffs and Coverage Start Dates
For the federal HealthCare.gov exchange and most state platforms, selecting a plan by December 15 ensures that coverage begins on January 1, 2027. Shoppers who make plan changes between December 16 and January 15 will see their coverage start on February 1, 2027.
State-run exchanges may use different calendars. In New Jersey, residents can select plans through December 31 to secure coverage for January 1, with the state's open enrollment continuing through January 31 for coverage starting February 1. Consumers should log in directly to their state exchange or HealthCare.gov to check their personal subsidy eligibility and finalize their selections.
