Updated October 2026 for the 2027 plan year
Key facts (2027 plan year)
- For 2027 coverage, 21 states and the District of Columbia run a state-based exchange (Oregon joins this year); the other 29 states enroll through HealthCare.gov (CMS state-based exchange list).
- Open Enrollment on HealthCare.gov runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027; enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1, 2027 (HealthCare.gov dates and deadlines).
- For 2027, the benchmark Silver plan is capped at 2.15% to 10.22% of household income for people from 100% to 400% of the poverty level; above 400% there is no premium tax credit (IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-26).
- The 2027 out-of-pocket maximum for Marketplace plans is $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family (CMS 2027 parameters guidance).
- Insurers proposed a median premium increase of about 15% for 2027, after a median rise of about 20% for 2026 (KFF).
- 41 states including DC have expanded Medicaid, and you can apply for Medicaid or CHIP any time of year (KFF expansion tracker; HealthCare.gov).
- Key facts for 2027
- What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?
- Is the Marketplace the same as HealthCare.gov?
- Which Marketplace does my state use?
- What do Marketplace plans cover?
- Who can use the Marketplace?
- Marketplace vs Medicaid
- How do I enroll?
- When can I enroll for 2027?
- How much does a Marketplace plan cost?
- Metal tiers and plan types
- Marketplace vs off-exchange plans
- Keeping your doctor and drugs
- Common mistakes
- FAQs
What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?
The Health Insurance Marketplace is the official place to shop for, compare and enroll in individual and family health plans that follow the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It is also the only place to get the premium tax credit that lowers your monthly bill. People also call it “the exchange” or “Obamacare.”
Every plan sold on the Health Insurance Marketplace must cover the ten essential health benefits. No plan can turn you down or charge you more for a pre-existing condition. Every plan caps what you pay out of pocket each year.
The Marketplace was created by the ACA in 2010 and opened in 2013. If you want the background on the law itself, read Obamacare explained. The official consumer rules live at HealthCare.gov.
Is the Marketplace the same as HealthCare.gov?
Not exactly. HealthCare.gov is the federal government’s website for the Health Insurance Marketplace, and it serves 29 states for 2027 coverage. The other 21 states and DC run their own Marketplace website, such as Covered California or Pennie, with the same ACA rules and the same federal tax credits.
HealthCare.gov’s own glossary defines the Marketplace as “a service that helps people shop for and enroll in health insurance,” run by the federal government for most states and by the state in others (HealthCare.gov glossary).
So “the Marketplace,” “the exchange,” “HealthCare.gov” and your state’s exchange name all point to the same kind of service. What changes is the website you log in to. If your state runs its own exchange, HealthCare.gov sends you there (Marketplace in your state).
Which Health Insurance Marketplace does my state use in 2027?
For 2027 coverage, 14 of the 31 states we cover run their own exchange and 17 use HealthCare.gov. Oregon is new this year: it leaves HealthCare.gov and launches its own platform, Explore Health, on November 1, 2026 (Oregon Health Authority).
Arkansas and Oklahoma oversee their own Marketplace but still enroll people through HealthCare.gov, which CMS calls a “state-based exchange on the federal platform.” CMS lists Oklahoma as planning a full move for plan year 2028.
| State | Exchange type | Where you enroll |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Arizona | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Arkansas | State-based on the federal platform | HealthCare.gov (state site: myarinsurance.com) |
| California | State-based | Covered California, coveredca.com |
| Colorado | State-based | Connect for Health Colorado, connectforhealthco.com |
| Florida | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Georgia | State-based | Georgia Access, georgiaaccess.gov |
| Illinois | State-based | Get Covered Illinois, getcovered.illinois.gov |
| Indiana | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Kentucky | State-based | kynect, kynect.ky.gov |
| Louisiana | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Maryland | State-based | Maryland Health Connection, marylandhealthconnection.gov |
| Massachusetts | State-based | Massachusetts Health Connector, mahealthconnector.org |
| Michigan | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Minnesota | State-based | MNsure, mnsure.org |
| Mississippi | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Missouri | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Nevada | State-based | Nevada Health Link, nevadahealthlink.com |
| New Jersey | State-based | Get Covered New Jersey, nj.gov/getcoverednj |
| North Carolina | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Ohio | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Oklahoma | State-based on the federal platform | HealthCare.gov (state oversight: Oklahoma Insurance Department) |
| Oregon | State-based (new for 2027) | Explore Health, explorehealthor.gov |
| Pennsylvania | State-based | Pennie, pennie.com |
| South Carolina | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Tennessee | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Texas | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Utah | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
| Virginia | State-based | Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, marketplace.virginia.gov |
| Washington | State-based | Washington Healthplanfinder, wahealthplanfinder.org |
| Wisconsin | Federal | HealthCare.gov |
State-based exchanges set their own Open Enrollment window, and several run past January 15. Check your state’s guide above, or your exchange’s site, for its exact 2027 deadline.
What do Marketplace plans cover?
Every Marketplace plan covers the same ten essential health benefits, so the core coverage is the same at every price level. What changes from plan to plan is the network, the drug list and how you split costs.
- Outpatient (doctor) visits and preventive care, with checkups, screenings and vaccines at no cost to you in network
- Emergency services and hospitalization
- Prescription drugs
- Maternity and newborn care
- Mental health and substance-use treatment
- Rehabilitation services, lab work, pediatric care and more
Plans cannot put annual or lifetime dollar limits on these benefits. They must also cap your yearly out-of-pocket spending at no more than $12,000 for one person in 2027. See deductible vs out-of-pocket maximum for how that cap works.
Who can use the Marketplace?
Anyone who lives in the U.S., is a U.S. citizen or national or is lawfully present, and is not incarcerated can buy a Marketplace plan. It is built for people without affordable coverage from a job, Medicare or Medicaid.
- Self-employed people, freelancers, gig workers and small-business owners (see health insurance for the self-employed)
- People whose employer offers no coverage, or a plan that is unaffordable
- Early retirees under 65 who are not yet eligible for Medicare
- Anyone who lost job-based coverage, aged off a parent’s plan at 26 or lost Medicaid
Starting January 1, 2027, premium tax credits are limited to citizens and a narrower group of lawfully present immigrants: green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and people from Compact of Free Association nations. Other lawfully present immigrants can still buy a plan, but without the credit (HealthCare.gov).
Marketplace vs Medicaid: what is the difference?
A Marketplace plan is private insurance you pay a premium for, often lowered by a tax credit. Medicaid is a public program run by each state for people with low income, with little or no premium. You cannot get a premium tax credit for a Marketplace plan if you qualify for Medicaid.
One application screens you for both. When you apply on HealthCare.gov or your state exchange, the system checks your household income. If you look eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), your information goes to your state Medicaid agency.
| Question | Marketplace plan | Medicaid |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Private ACA health insurance | Public coverage run by your state with federal funding |
| Who it is for | Anyone without other affordable coverage | People with low income; in expansion states, most adults up to 138% of the poverty level |
| Income help | Premium tax credit from 100% to 400% of the poverty level | Little or no premium or cost sharing |
| When you can enroll | Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period | Any time of year |
| Where to apply | HealthCare.gov or your state exchange | The same application, or your state Medicaid agency |
| 2027 changes | 400% income cliff; narrower immigrant eligibility for credits | Work requirements for many expansion adults by January 1, 2027 |
In the 41 states including DC that expanded Medicaid, adults with income up to about 138% of the federal poverty level, which is $22,025 for one person, can usually get Medicaid. In the 10 states that did not expand, Marketplace credits start at 100% of the poverty level, and some adults below that fall into a coverage gap. Read Medicaid eligibility for your state’s rules.
Federal law also requires many expansion adults ages 19 to 64 to show 80 hours a month of work, school or community service, with states generally starting by January 1, 2027 (CMS fact sheet). Exemptions apply, including for pregnant people, parents of young children and people who are medically frail.
How do I enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace?
Most people finish a Marketplace application in 20 to 30 minutes. You can enroll yourself on HealthCare.gov or your state exchange, or get help from a licensed agent at no extra cost.
- Create an account at HealthCare.gov or your state exchange.
- Complete the application with your household size, estimated 2027 income and any offer of job-based coverage.
- See your subsidy. The system estimates your premium tax credit and any cost-sharing reductions, and checks for Medicaid or CHIP.
- Compare plans by metal tier, monthly premium, deductible, network and drug coverage.
- Enroll and pay your first premium so coverage starts on the effective date.
Honesty.AI compares every Marketplace plan for your income and doctors in seconds — and can enroll you.
When can I enroll in a Marketplace plan for 2027?
On HealthCare.gov, Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. State exchanges set their own windows.
| If you enroll by… | Your coverage starts… |
|---|---|
| December 15, 2026 | January 1, 2027 |
| December 16, 2026 – January 15, 2027 | February 1, 2027 |
| After January 15, 2027 (with a qualifying life event only) | Varies by event |
A 2025 federal rule would have ended Open Enrollment on December 15 starting with 2027 coverage, but a federal court set that change aside, and the November 1 to January 15 window stands for this season. Treat December 15 as your real deadline if you want coverage on January 1. Miss the window without a qualifying life event, such as losing coverage or having a baby, and you generally wait until the next Open Enrollment. Full details: Open Enrollment 2027.
How much does a Health Insurance Marketplace plan cost in 2027?
Your Marketplace price depends on your age, ZIP code, household size, tobacco use and income. Two numbers matter: the full premium and your price after the premium tax credit. Most enrollees pay less than the full premium.
Insurers proposed a median increase of about 15% for 2027 (final rates vary by insurer and state). That follows a median rise of about 20% in 2026.
What changed last year still shapes 2027. The enhanced premium tax credits in place from 2021 through 2025 expired on December 31, 2025, and were not extended. Original ACA credits still exist but are smaller, and households above 400% of the poverty level ($63,840 for one person, $132,000 for a family of four) get no credit for 2027. KFF found subsidized enrollees’ net premium payments more than doubled on average in 2026.
See how the credit is calculated in 2027 subsidies and the premium tax credit, and what changed after the enhanced credits ended in ACA subsidies 2027.
What are Marketplace metal tiers and plan types?
Every Marketplace plan has a metal tier that sets how you and the insurer split costs, and a network type that sets which doctors you can see. The two choices are separate.
| Tier | Plan pays ~ | Premium | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 60% | Lowest | Healthy, want low monthly cost; HSA-eligible from 2026 |
| Silver | 70% | Moderate | Most people — unlocks cost-sharing reductions |
| Gold | 80% | Higher | Regular care or prescriptions |
| Platinum | 90% | Highest | Frequent, high medical needs |
Silver is the strategic pick for many. If your income is between 100% and 250% of the poverty level, only Silver plans unlock cost-sharing reductions that lower your deductible and copays. Since January 1, 2026, all Bronze and Catastrophic plans also work with a Health Savings Account (IRS Notice 2026-5).
Compare tiers in Bronze vs Silver vs Gold vs Platinum, networks in HMO vs PPO vs EPO vs POS, and the cost terms in how health insurance works. For a step-by-step method, see how to choose a health plan.
Is it better to buy on or off the Marketplace?
For anyone who qualifies for a subsidy, buying through the Health Insurance Marketplace almost always wins. You can buy ACA plans directly from an insurer (“off-exchange”), and the coverage rules are the same, but off-exchange plans are never eligible for premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions.
If your income is above 400% of the poverty level, off-exchange sometimes offers a plan or network the Marketplace doesn’t. That is where unbiased comparison pays off.
How do I keep my doctor and prescriptions?
Before you enroll, check each plan’s provider network and drug formulary. A plan with a low premium is no bargain if your doctor is out of network or your medication isn’t covered.
On the Marketplace you can search plans by doctor and by prescription. HMO and EPO plans keep costs down by limiting you to in-network providers; PPO and POS plans cost more but add out-of-network coverage. If a specific specialist matters, confirm they are in network before you pick a plan — or let Honesty.AI check it across every plan at once.
What are the most common Marketplace mistakes?
- Auto-renewing without comparing. Plans and prices change every year, and 2027 rates are rising again.
- Choosing on premium alone. A low premium with a very high deductible can cost more over the year if you use care.
- Guessing your income. It drives your subsidy, and excess credits must be paid back in full at tax time.
- Ignoring the network. Confirm your doctors and drugs are covered before enrolling.
- Using a look-alike website. Enroll on HealthCare.gov, your state exchange or with a licensed agent.
- Missing the deadline. After January 15, 2027 you usually need a qualifying life event to enroll.
Let Honesty.AI do the comparison for you
The Health Insurance Marketplace shows you dozens of plans but won’t tell you which one is truly the best value for your doctors, prescriptions and budget. That is what Honesty®, a licensed AI insurance agent from Honesty® Insurance Services, LLC (NPN 21094885), does.
Honesty.AI reads every available plan, applies your subsidy and ranks your real options, with no reason to steer you toward one carrier. It compares ACA, alternative and ancillary plans, never sells or shares your data, and works for you 24/7 by chat, voice or text. It can complete your enrollment in minutes.
Find your cheapest Marketplace plan in minutes
Honesty.AI compares hundreds of plans, applies your subsidy, and enrolls you — free, unbiased, and available 24/7.
You can enroll in a Marketplace plan on your own or with a licensed health insurance broker, and HealthCare.gov says you won’t pay anything additional for the help.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Health Insurance Marketplace the same as Obamacare?
Yes. “Obamacare” is the nickname for the Affordable Care Act, the 2010 law that created the Marketplace. Plans sold on the Marketplace are ACA-compliant, cover essential health benefits and cannot deny pre-existing conditions.
Is the Marketplace the same as HealthCare.gov?
HealthCare.gov is the federal government’s Marketplace website, used by 29 states for 2027 coverage. The other 21 states and DC run their own Marketplace site, such as Covered California or Pennie. The rules and federal tax credits are the same either way.
Do I have to use HealthCare.gov?
Only if your state uses the federal platform. If your state runs its own exchange, you enroll there, and HealthCare.gov will point you to it. For 2027, Oregon moves from HealthCare.gov to its own site, Explore Health.
What is the difference between the Marketplace and Medicaid?
A Marketplace plan is private insurance you pay a premium for, often lowered by a tax credit, and you enroll during Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period. Medicaid is a state public program for people with low income, with little or no premium, and you can apply any time. One application checks both.
Can I get a subsidy in 2027?
Many people still can. The original ACA premium tax credit remains for 2027 for incomes from 100% to 400% of the poverty level, though the enhanced credits from 2021 to 2025 expired and the 400% subsidy cliff applies again. The Marketplace calculates your credit when you apply.
What if I miss Open Enrollment?
You can enroll outside the window only with a qualifying life event, such as losing coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby, which generally opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. You can apply for Medicaid or CHIP at any time.
Does it cost more to enroll with help?
No. Marketplace plan prices are set by the insurer and approved for the year, and they are the same whether you enroll yourself or with a licensed agent such as Honesty.AI.
The Marketplace is the main place to buy individual health insurance, and the only place to use the premium tax credit.
New to Marketplace jargon? Our health insurance terms A–Z explains APTC, CSR, benchmark plans and more.
If you are 65 or older, the Marketplace is not for you; our guide to Medicaid vs Medicare explains which program fits and how they work together.
Keep learning: Affordable health insurance options · Open Enrollment 2027 · 2027 subsidies explained · How health insurance works · COBRA vs Marketplace
