There is less than a month left before millions of people in the United States can begin to apply for or renew their health insurance for 2027 through HealthCare.gov, the federal insurance marketplace established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare.
The open registration will begin on November 1, 2026 and, according to current official information, will continue until January 15, 2027.
However, those who want their new coverage to begin on January 1, 2027 will need to pay attention to another date: December 15.
According to the official dates and deadlines guide from HealthCare.gov, those who enroll or change their plans by December 15 will be able to start their new coverage on January 1. Those who do so between December 16 and January 15 will generally have coverage starting February 1.
What can be done before November 1st?
Although enrollment for 2027 has not yet begun, HealthCare.gov already advises users to prepare their information and review the changes expected for the upcoming year.
Those who already have an account can verify that they still have access to it, review their contact information, and gather the documents they may need in advance.
Those who have never used the Marketplace can learn about the requirements, estimate household income, and find out which individuals need to be included in the application.
HealthCare.gov has a specific section to prepare before applying for coverage.
What documents and information should be gathered?
The Marketplace may need information about all members of the tax household, even if some of them do not apply for health insurance.
Among the information that should be prepared are the names and dates of birth of household members, residential and email addresses, Social Security numbers when applicable, and immigration documentation for those requesting coverage.
Proof of income may also be required, such as pay stubs, W-2 forms, or other documentation that allows for estimating the household's earnings.
If anyone already has another insurance policy, it is advisable to have the policy or member number handy.
When there is a possibility of receiving health insurance through a job, the application may also request information about that offer, even if the person has decided not to accept it.
The HealthCare.gov preparation checklist allows you to review the necessary information in advance.
Do not just use last year's income
One of the most important pieces of information for the application will be the estimated household income for 2027.
The savings that the Marketplace can offer are calculated using the income that the household expects to receive during the year for which they are applying for coverage, not simply what they earned the previous year.
For example, if a person expects to change jobs, work fewer hours, retire, start as a self-employed worker, or receive a salary increase during 2027, those changes could alter the estimate.
HealthCare.gov recommends making the best possible estimate and updating the application if income changes later.
The official explanation on how to calculate expected income for the Marketplace is available on their portal.
Attention Cubans: subsidy rules change in 2027
Immigrants should pay special attention to the new rules applicable to the 2027 coverage.
HealthCare.gov indicates that certain immigrants with legal presence may still be eligible to purchase coverage from the Marketplace, but not all immigration statuses will have access to subsidies or savings to reduce the cost of the plan starting January 1, 2027.
According to the current official information, among the immigration categories that may be eligible for these savings in 2027 are the legal permanent residents —Green Card holders—, the Cuban or Haitian entrants, and the migrants under the Compact of Free Association (COFA), provided they also meet the other requirements of the program.
It is important not to confuse the category Cuban or Haitian entrant with nationality. Being Cuban, by itself, does not automatically mean that a person has that immigration status for federal purposes.
Other immigration statuses may allow access to a Marketplace plan, but without the same savings eligibility starting in 2027.
HealthCare.gov maintains an official list of immigration statuses that may qualify for coverage and explains which will have access to financial assistance.
What immigration documents can they request?
The documents will depend on the status of each applicant.
Among the documents that HealthCare.gov may use to verify immigration status are, depending on the case, the Green Card or I-551, work permit I-766, entry record I-94, passports, and certain I-797 notifications from USCIS, among others.
Not everyone will need the same documents, and submitting one of them does not automatically mean that the applicant meets all eligibility requirements.
The complete list can be found in the official guide to accepted immigration documents by HealthCare.gov.
Check doctors and hospitals before switching insurance
When the time comes to compare plans, the monthly price shouldn't be the only criterion.
A policy with a seemingly cheaper premium may turn out to be less convenient if the doctors, specialists, or hospitals a family uses are not part of its network.
HealthCare.gov allows you to check information about the providers included in each plan and recommends confirming directly with the insurer or the medical office when necessary.
This is especially important in HMO or EPO plans, which may significantly limit out-of-network care, except for certain exceptions.
Make a list of your medications before shopping
Those who take medications regularly should also prepare a list with the name of each drug, dosage, and frequency of use.
The plans do not necessarily cover the same medications nor categorize them at the same copayment level.
The document known as formulary or medication formulary indicates which prescriptions are covered by a specific insurer.
HealthCare.gov allows you to check during the comparison whether the medications are covered and links to the official lists of each plan.
Don't just look at the monthly premium
When comparing insurance for 2027, it is advisable to review together the monthly premium, deductible, copayments, coinsurance, and annual out-of-pocket maximum.
A lower monthly premium may come with a higher deductible, while a more expensive plan each month can reduce certain costs when a person needs medical care.
HealthCare.gov divides plans into Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum categories. These categories indicate how costs are shared between the insured and the company, but do not represent a ranking of the quality of healthcare.
The platform also provides quality ratings for many plans, based on factors such as user experience, healthcare, and management.
If you already have Obamacare, don't assume that your plan will remain the same
Those who already have Marketplace coverage should review their information even if they intend to stay with the same insurer.
Premiums, deductibles, medical networks, covered medications, and other benefits may change from year to year.
HealthCare.gov recommends comparing options again during each enrollment period and updating the application with projected income and family circumstances for the upcoming year.
New plans may also appear in an area, or existing ones may stop being offered.
Marketplace, Medicaid, and Medicare are not the same thing
The registration for HealthCare.gov corresponds to the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace.
It should not be confused with Medicaid, which is a joint federal and state program aimed at certain individuals who meet income and other eligibility requirements. Applications for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) can be submitted year-round.
Medicare is also a different program and has its own rules and enrollment periods.
When a Marketplace application indicates that a household member may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, the information may be sent to the appropriate state agency to determine eligibility.
The first payment is made to the insurer
Choosing a plan on HealthCare.gov does not complete the process on its own.
To initiate coverage, the individual must pay the first premium directly to the insurance company, not to HealthCare.gov.
The Marketplace recommends following the insurer's instructions and confirming that the initial payment has been processed correctly.
There is free help available in Spanish
Those who need assistance can find organizations and certified advisors through the official local help tool on HealthCare.gov.
The Marketplace also offers the phone number 1-800-318-2596, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for holidays.
Support is available in Spanish and other languages at no additional cost.
The enrollment for coverage in 2027 will begin on November 1. Preparing your documents now, calculating expected income, verifying applicable immigration status, and making a list of doctors and medications can greatly facilitate the comparison when next year's options become available.
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