ACA Open Enrollment 2027: What's New, and Why Booking a Review Early Matters
If you (or someone you love) buy your own health insurance before Medicare, open enrollment is here. The rules changed this year, including a brand-new CMS authorization step, so a little planning goes a long way.
Key Dates
- November 1, 2026Open enrollment opened for 2027 coverage in most states, on HealthCare.gov (the marketplace Michigan uses).
- December 15, 2026Pick or change a plan by this date for coverage starting January 1.
- January 15, 2027Last day to enroll. Plans picked December 16 through January 15 start February 1.
What's Different for 2027
- Smaller subsidies. The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025 and haven't been renewed. The 400% of federal poverty level cutoff is back, and above it there is no premium tax credit.
- Higher premiums. Insurers proposed a median increase of about 15%.
- Higher out-of-pocket maximum. Up to $12,000 for an individual and $24,000 for a family.
- No cap on subsidy repayment. If you underestimate your income, you may owe back every dollar of excess subsidy at tax time.
- Fewer insurers. Some carriers are leaving, so your plan or your doctor's network may change.
New CMS Authorization Rules: Watch Your Email
CMS added new protections this year to stop unauthorized enrollments. If you work with an agent on the federal marketplace (HealthCare.gov), you now have to approve your agent electronically before they can enroll you or change your application.
Look out for an authorization email. You'll receive a one-time confirmation link or code, most often by email (it can also come by text or phone, depending on the platform). Open it and approve it so we can move forward. Check your inbox and your spam or junk folder, and add us to your contacts so it doesn't get missed.
Act quickly. These links and codes are single-use and expire in 15 minutes, so be at your device when we send it. If it expires, we can simply send a new one.
Some people will also need to verify their identity first. CMS treats certain applications as higher risk, such as first-time applicants, people applying in a different state, people switching to a new agent, and low-premium plans of $30 a month or less after subsidies.
Use contact info you can reach. The request goes to the email or phone number on your Marketplace application, so make sure it's yours and it's current.
Your agent still needs your consent. The new authorization step is separate from the consent your agent already has to document.
Expect it to take a little longer. CMS also paused new agent registrations, so appointments may fill up faster this season.
How a Review Helps
In a one-on-one review, we will:
- ✔Update your 2027 income estimate so your subsidy is as accurate as possible
- ✔Compare plans side by side, including deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, not just the premium
- ✔Check your doctors and prescriptions against each plan
- ✔Walk you through the new authorization step so there are no surprises
- ✔Plan your move to Medicare if you are approaching 65
Spots go quickly in November and December. Grab a time that works for you while there's still room before the December 15 deadline.
Schedule Your Review
If you buy your own health insurance on the marketplace — or you're approaching 65 and planning the move to Medicare — now is the time to book. Open enrollment appointments fill up fast in November and December, and the new CMS authorization step means every enrollment takes a little longer than it used to. Don't wait until the December 15 deadline to start the conversation.
This article is for education only and is not tax or legal advice. Dates, premiums and subsidy rules vary by state and may change, so confirm details at HealthCare.gov or your state exchange. The CMS authorization rules apply to the federal marketplace; state-based exchanges have their own rules.