Health Insurance Open Enrollment 2027: How to Sign Up on the Marketplace

Quick answer: on HealthCare.gov, Open Enrollment for 2027 health plans runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Sign up by December 15 if you want coverage to start January 1. Depending on your income, you may get a tax credit that lowers your monthly premium. New for 2027: among immigrants, only green card holders, Cuban/Haitian entrants and COFA migrants can get that savings.

Key dates for 2027 coverage

These are the HealthCare.gov dates, checked on the official site on October 28, 2026:

Does your state run its own Marketplace? Some states (for example California, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts) have their own website and can set different deadlines, often later than January 15. If you live in one of those states, HealthCare.gov will send you to your state’s site, so check the dates there.

After January 15 you can only sign up if you have a Special Enrollment Period, which comes with a life event like moving, losing other coverage, getting married or having a baby. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications all year.

What the Marketplace is

The Health Insurance Marketplace (also called “Obamacare” or the ACA Marketplace) is the government website where you compare and buy private health plans. It’s mainly for people who don’t get health insurance through a job: freelancers, gig workers, small business owners, people between jobs or anyone whose employer plan is too expensive.

All Marketplace plans must cover the essentials, like doctor visits, emergencies, hospital stays, prescriptions, pregnancy and preventive care. They can’t turn you down or charge you more because of a pre-existing condition.

Who can buy a Marketplace plan

You generally need to:

• Live in the U.S.
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawfully present immigrant. This includes green card holders, refugees, asylees, people with TPS and people with valid work or student visas, among others.
• Not be in prison.

People who are undocumented can’t buy a plan on the Marketplace, even at full price. But in a mixed-status family, parents can still apply for their children or other family members who qualify. Family members who aren’t applying won’t be asked about their immigration status.

Who gets help paying: the big 2027 change

The Marketplace’s best feature is the premium tax credit, a discount on your monthly bill based on your income. For 2027, two things matter:

1. Your income. You may qualify for the credit if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The extra pandemic-era help that removed the 400% cap expired at the end of 2025, and as of late October 2026 Congress had not brought it back. So if you earn even slightly over 400% of FPL, you can lose the credit completely.

2. Your immigration status (new from January 1, 2027). Because of a 2025 change in federal law, among immigrants only these statuses can get savings on Marketplace plans:

If you’re losing your savings because of this change, look at your options early: an employer plan, a cheaper Bronze plan, or a community health center (see below).

How to choose a plan

Plans come in four “metal levels”. The difference is how you split costs with the insurer, not the quality of care:

Before you choose, check three things:

1. Your doctors: are they in the plan’s network?
2. Your medicines: are they on the plan’s drug list?
3. The deductible: how much you pay before the plan starts sharing costs. A low premium with a $7,000 deductible may not be cheap if you get sick.

How to apply, step by step

1. Gather your documents: Social Security numbers (if you have them), immigration documents for the people applying, pay stubs or W-2s, and an estimate of your 2027 household income.
2. Go to HealthCare.gov (or your state’s site) and create an account. You can also apply by phone or with a free local helper (“assister” or “navigator”).
3. Fill in the application. It tells you whether you qualify for savings, Medicaid or CHIP.
4. Compare plans by total cost, network and medicines.
5. Enroll and pay your first premium. Coverage doesn’t start until you pay.
6. Report changes during the year (new job, raise, a new baby). If your income goes up and you got too much tax credit, you may have to pay it back when you file your taxes.

Beware of scams: HealthCare.gov and official helpers never charge you to apply. Be careful with people who call you, promise “free insurance” or ask for payment to sign you up.

If you can’t get Marketplace coverage

• Community health centers give care on a sliding fee based on your income, whatever your immigration status. Find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.
• Emergency Medicaid may cover treatment of an emergency medical condition for people who meet their state’s income and residency rules but don’t have an eligible immigration status.
• Ask about payment plans and financial assistance at hospitals before and after treatment. Many nonprofit hospitals have charity care programs.
• Build an emergency fund for medical bills: see how to save on a small income.

FAQ

Can I apply without a Social Security number? If you’re lawfully present but don’t have an SSN, you can still apply: you’ll give your immigration document information instead. Family members who aren’t applying don’t need to give an SSN.

What happens if I miss the deadline? Unless you have a life event that gives you a Special Enrollment Period, you’ll have to wait until the next Open Enrollment. Medicaid and CHIP accept applications any time.

I already have a Marketplace plan. Do I need to do anything? Yes, log in and update your application. Prices and savings change every year, and the 2027 immigration rule may change what you pay. If you do nothing, you may be automatically re-enrolled at a higher price.

Is there a penalty for not having health insurance? Not at the federal level since 2019, but a few states (like California, Massachusetts and New Jersey) have their own requirement.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not insurance, legal or tax advice. Rules, dates and prices can change and vary by state; always confirm on HealthCare.gov or your state’s Marketplace. Read our Disclaimer.