For millions of Americans who buy their own health insurance, the next few weeks matter. Open enrollment for 2027 Affordable Care Act Marketplace plans begins Nov. 1, 2026, in most states, and the picture this year includes higher proposed premiums, carriers pulling out of some markets and several eligibility changes. Here is a plain-language guide to what has been reported so far, and what shoppers can do to prepare.

When open enrollment begins

According to analysis published by HealthInsurance.org, open enrollment for plan year 2027 starts Nov. 1, 2026, in most states. Some state-run exchanges publish their own calendars, and a few open “window shopping” tools earlier. Oregon, for example, planned to let consumers preview plans on its state platform starting Oct. 15, with enrollment itself beginning Nov. 1, based on information from the Oregon Health Authority cited in that analysis. Virginia’s Premium Savings program is also scheduled to become available Nov. 1, according to the Virginia Health Insurance Marketplace.

Because deadlines can differ by state and by the effective date you want, consumers should confirm the exact window on HealthCare.gov or their state exchange before relying on any single date.

What is happening to premiums

The headline number is the size of the proposed increases. KFF, citing its review of insurer filings published Aug. 3, 2026, reported a median proposed rate increase of about 15% for individual-market policies for 2027. Those are proposed rates, and final approved rates can differ once state regulators complete their reviews.

The range across states is wide. HealthInsurance.org reported weighted average proposed increases ranging from under 7% in Vermont, Iowa and Utah to 29% in Arizona. It also noted that increases apply to off-exchange plans, which do not come with premium subsidies.

How subsidies interact with higher prices

Premium subsidies are tied to the cost of the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in an area, known as the benchmark plan. When benchmark premiums rise, the dollar amount of the subsidy generally rises as well, which can cushion the impact for people who qualify. HealthInsurance.org reported that 87% of Marketplace enrollees received premium subsidies at the start of 2026, citing CMS data.

That said, the enhanced federal premium tax credits that were available in recent years expired at the end of 2025, according to the same reporting on state responses. Rhode Island, for instance, included $19 million in its fiscal year 2027 budget to replace some of those federal enhancements, per the governor’s office, though eligibility details were still being clarified as of late August. Readers should check current federal law and their own state’s programs, since this situation may change.

Insurer exits could force plan changes

Another factor to watch is carrier participation. HealthInsurance.org reported that insurers are leaving the Marketplace in more than 20 states, with far more exits than new entries for 2027, and that hundreds of thousands of enrollees have plans that will be terminated at the end of 2026 as a result.

If your insurer is leaving, you will typically need to pick a new plan during open enrollment. Doing nothing could leave you without coverage on Jan. 1, so it is worth reading any notice from your current carrier closely.

Out-of-pocket limits and HSA rules

  • Out-of-pocket maximum: HHS set the 2027 maximum at $12,000 for an individual, up from $10,600 in 2026, according to HealthInsurance.org.
  • Bronze plan rule on hold: A federal rule that would have allowed some Bronze plans to have out-of-pocket limits up to $15,600 was stayed by a court in July 2026 in City of Columbus v. Kennedy, CMS said on Aug. 4, as reported by HealthInsurance.org.
  • HSA contribution limits: Under IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-24, the 2027 limits are $4,500 for self-only high-deductible coverage and $9,000 for family coverage, compared with $4,400 and $8,750 in 2026. Marketplace Bronze and Catastrophic plans remain HSA-eligible in 2027, per the same source.

Catastrophic plans

Catastrophic plans are a small corner of the Marketplace. In the 2026 open enrollment period, 67,489 people enrolled in them, about 0.3% of Marketplace enrollees, based on CMS public use files cited by HealthInsurance.org. People 30 or older can generally buy one only with a hardship or affordability exemption, according to HealthCare.gov. A court stay issued July 16, 2026, blocked an expanded-eligibility rule that had been issued in September 2025.

Changes for some immigrants

Beginning in 2027, only lawful permanent residents, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and migrants from the Compacts of Free Association countries qualify for Marketplace subsidies, according to sources cited by HealthInsurance.org including USCIS, Georgetown’s Center for Children and Families and KFF. KFF has estimated that roughly one million people could become uninsured by 2035 as a result of the policy. Anyone affected should check eligibility directly with the Marketplace or a certified enrollment assistor.

How big is the Marketplace?

CMS data cited by HealthInsurance.org shows more than 19 million people had Marketplace coverage as of February 2026. That scale helps explain why rate changes and insurer exits draw so much attention from state regulators and consumer advocates.

What to know before you shop

  • Do not auto-renew blindly. Premiums, networks, drug lists and deductibles can all change even when the plan name stays the same.
  • Update your income estimate. Subsidy amounts depend on projected income, so a job change, raise or new household member matters.
  • Compare total cost, not just premium. A lower monthly price can come with a higher deductible or narrower network.
  • Check your doctors and prescriptions against each plan’s directory and formulary.
  • Look at your state. Some states run their own exchanges and offer extra help or different timelines.
  • Use free help. Navigators and certified agents can walk through options at no charge to the consumer.

What to watch next

  • Final approved 2027 rates in each state, which may differ from the proposals reported in August.
  • Further court action on the Bronze plan and Catastrophic plan rules that were stayed in July.
  • Any federal or state moves on premium tax credits, which would affect what consumers pay.
  • Notices from insurers that are exiting markets, expected before open enrollment begins.
  • State exchange announcements on deadlines and special programs.

This article is for general information and is not insurance, tax or legal advice. Figures are drawn from the sources named above; confirm details with HealthCare.gov or your state exchange before enrolling.