How to pick a 2027 health plan: the short answer
The extra federal help that kept Marketplace premiums low has ended, and insurers proposed a median 15% premium increase for 2027 (KFF, Aug 2026). So don't let your plan renew on autopilot. Open enrollment on HealthCare.gov runs Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027; pick by Dec 15 for coverage that starts Jan 1 (HealthCare.gov dates).
1. Open your renewal notice, and don't auto-renew
Your notice shows your 2027 premium. Treat it as a starting point for comparing, not a decision.
2. Estimate your 2027 household income
Your help is based on the income you expect for 2027, using modified adjusted gross income (MAGI): your adjusted gross income plus any untaxed foreign income, non-taxable Social Security, and tax-exempt interest. Write down how you got the number.
3. Find where you land, especially near 400%
For 2027, the expected share runs from 2.15% of income at the low end to 10.22% from 300% to 400% of the poverty level (IRS, Rev. Proc. 2026-26). Above 400%, there's no credit at all. Using the 2026 poverty guidelines, 400% is $63,840 for one person, $86,560 for two, and $132,000 for a family of four (our math from HealthCare.gov figures).
4. Compare total yearly cost, not the premium
Add 12 months of premiums to what you'd likely pay for care, for a quiet year and a bad year. The out-of-pocket maximum for 2027 can be as high as $12,000 for one person, up from $10,600 (HealthInsurance.org). Bronze plans cover about 60% of costs on average, Silver 70%, Gold 80%, Platinum 90%; if you qualify for extra cost-sharing savings, they only come with a Silver plan (HealthCare.gov).
5. Check doctors, hospitals, and drugs
Search each plan's provider directory and drug list for every name you rely on, then call the office to confirm. HMO, PPO, and EPO plans handle out-of-network care differently.
6. Enroll by Dec 15, then report changes
State-run Marketplaces can have later deadlines (for example, California, DC, New Jersey, and New York run to Jan 31). During 2027, update the Marketplace if your income or household changes: for tax years after 2025 there's no cap on paying back extra credit at tax time (IRS).
Educational guide, not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Rules and dates checked October 7, 2026; confirm your numbers on HealthCare.gov or your state's Marketplace.
