What to know about the Affordable Care Act's open enrollment period
People signing up for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act for 2027 should expect higher premiums and fewer options. The enrollment period starts Sunday and ends in mid-January.
The Affordable Care Act's open enrollment period for 2027 is approaching, with several significant changes anticipated. Premiums are expected to rise by 13% on average, as indicated by analysis from KFF, a healthcare research nonprofit. Fewer coverage options will also be available. Financial assistance, such as premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, is now limited for many groups that were previously eligible.
This reduction in support could leave some individuals unable to afford their coverage moving forward. The most affected group will be those who do not qualify for a subsidy, potentially leading to them dropping their plans. The number of ACA enrollees has decreased by 1.2 million since the start of Trump's second term, when Republicans opposed extending COVID-era subsidies.
As of February, there were approximately 19.2 million people enrolled in ACA marketplace health plans. New regulations set to begin in 2027 will also restrict tax credits for certain lawfully present immigrants, which could result in an additional 1 million uninsured individuals over time. The Trump administration has been actively removing ACA enrollees from the program, alleging fraud and waste.
The final impact on the number of people enrolled in 2027 remains uncertain, but the combination of higher premiums, immigration eligibility changes, and the anti-fraud efforts is expected to result in fewer enrollees in the market.
Written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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