$7032027 benchmark, age 40+13%Average benchmark rise+42%Since 2025Jan. 15HealthCare.gov deadline
Health InsuranceACA Marketplace2027 Open Enrollment
ACA Health Insurance Rates for 2027 Are Out: Benchmark Premiums Rise 13% — Here Is What You Will Actually Pay
Final 2027 marketplace prices show a second straight year of double-digit increases, a hard subsidy cutoff at 400% of the poverty level and a Dec. 15 deadline for coverage that starts Jan. 1.
Your renewal notice probably arrived in October with a number that made you look twice. If you buy your own health insurance through HealthCare.gov or a state marketplace, 2027 is the second year in a row of sharp price increases. And for the first time in years, some people earning a middle-class income will not get any help paying for it.
The prices for 2027 are now final, and open enrollment began Nov. 1. KFF’s analysis of the final rates puts the national average benchmark silver premium at about $703 a month for a 40-year-old before subsidies, up 13% from 2026. That comes on top of a 26% jump the year before. The result is a 42% increase in two years. What you will actually pay depends on three things: your income, your age and whether you shop around instead of letting your plan renew automatically.
What We Know
- Average benchmark silver premiums rise 13% for 2027, according to KFF’s analysis of final rates.
- HealthCare.gov open enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2026, to Jan. 15, 2027, CMS says.
- The 2027 out-of-pocket maximum is $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family, up from $10,600 and $21,200.
- Premium tax credits end above 400% of the federal poverty level after the enhanced subsidies expired.
What Is Still Unclear
- How many people will enroll for 2027; the Congressional Budget Office projects 13.1 million, down from 22.4 million in 2025.
- Some state rate figures were still listed as proposed or requested in public reports.
- Four lawsuits over marketplace rules are still pending, which could affect future enrollment rules.
- Whether Congress will act on subsidies before enrollment closes.
A Second Straight Year of Double-Digit Price Increases
Health insurance premiums usually climb a few percentage points a year as medical costs rise. 2026 and 2027 broke that pattern. KFF found that benchmark silver premiums, the second-cheapest silver plan in each area that sets subsidy amounts, rose 26% from 2025 to 2026. They are rising another 13% for 2027. Insurers originally asked for a median increase of 15%, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, and regulators trimmed some requests before final approval.
Several forces are pushing in the same direction. Medical costs and prescription drug spending keep rising. The enhanced premium tax credits, which had made coverage cheaper since 2021, expired at the end of 2025. When subsidies shrink, healthier people are more likely to drop coverage, and those who remain tend to need more care. KFF reports insurers estimated that these risk pool changes added about four percentage points to 2026 premiums and expect a similar effect for 2027.
How Much Benchmark Silver Premiums Have Risen
Why the Cheapest Gold Plan Can Beat Silver
One oddity stands out in the 2027 numbers. KFF’s figures show the average cheapest gold plan at $694 a month, below the $703 benchmark silver. Analyst Andrew Sprung reports that in 21 states the average lowest-cost gold plan is priced below benchmark. This happens because insurers load extra costs onto silver plans to pay for cost-sharing reductions, a practice known as silver loading. For people who do not qualify for those reductions, a gold plan with a lower deductible can cost less than silver. It is worth checking before you renew.
Where Rates Are Rising Fastest and Slowest
Averages hide wide swings by state. Insurers’ 2027 rate filings ranged from a 1% decrease to a 54% increase, according to the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. The chart below draws on state rate figures compiled by Insurance Business, which cites state regulators and news reports. These are average rate changes across insurers, not benchmark premiums, and some were still requests.
2027 Average Rate Changes in Selected States
Regulators made a difference in some places. New York approved an average 6% increase after insurers asked for 20.6%, and the state’s Department of Financial Services says that saves consumers about $324 million. Connecticut approved 11.3% against 16.2% requested. Oregon moved the other direction, finalizing 21.6% after an initial request of 17.5%. In Arizona, state law does not let the regulator approve or reject the requested 29% outright.
Full-price premiums differ even more. Charles Gaba of ACA Signups projects 2027 average unsubsidized premiums of about $576 a month in Idaho and about $1,542 in West Virginia, a gap of nearly $1,000 a month for similar coverage.
The 400% Cliff Is Back, and It Changes Everything
For most marketplace shoppers, the sticker price is not what they pay. Premium tax credits cap the cost of the benchmark silver plan at a percentage of household income. The IRS set the 2027 percentages in Revenue Procedure 2026-26: from 2.15% for the lowest incomes up to 10.22% for people between 300% and 400% of the poverty level. From 2021 through 2025, the enhanced credits capped costs at 8.5% of income for everyone, with no upper income limit. That is over.
Most You Pay for Benchmark Silver, by Income
The cutoff falls at a specific dollar amount. For 2027 coverage, 400% of the poverty level equals $63,840 for one person, $86,560 for two, $109,280 for three and $132,000 for four, according to figures published by Andrew Sprung. A dollar of income above that line can cost thousands in lost subsidies, because the credit drops to zero rather than phasing out.
| Household size | 200% of poverty level | 400% of poverty level | Subsidy above 400% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $31,920 | $63,840 | None |
| 2 people | $43,280 | $86,560 | None |
| 3 people | $54,640 | $109,280 | None |
| 4 people | $66,000 | $132,000 | None |
| Contribution cap | 6.78% of income | 10.22% of income | Full price |
Why Age Matters More Than Ever Above the Cliff
The $703 benchmark figure is for a 40-year-old. Under the federal default age curve, insurers can charge older adults up to three times what they charge a 21-year-old. Without subsidies, people in their late 50s and early 60s face the steepest bills. The chart estimates benchmark costs by age using that federal curve and KFF’s national average.
Estimated Monthly Benchmark Premium by Age, Before Subsidies
A 64-year-old couple earning $90,000 would be just above the 400% cutoff for two people. Using these indicative figures, two benchmark plans would cost about $3,300 a month, close to $40,000 a year, or about 44% of their income. That is the group most exposed to the 2027 rates, and for them, shopping across metal levels and checking for state help is not optional.
States Stepping In With Their Own Help
Some states are using their own money to replace part of the lost federal help. KFF reports that New Mexico fully replaced the lost federal assistance in 2026, saw enrollment grow and is continuing that support in 2027. California is expanding its state subsidies to households from 165% to 200% of the poverty level, up from 138% to 165%. New Jersey kept its program. Rhode Island and Virginia created new state subsidies for 2027. If you live in one of these states, the price shown on HealthCare.gov comparisons or national calculators may not reflect what you will actually pay.
The Fewer People Covered, the Higher the Price
Enrollment is already falling. KFF found that 2026 open enrollment plan selections fell by 1.2 million from 2025. Total individual market enrollment fell 18%, from 25.2 million to 20.5 million, between June 2025 and June 2026. The Congressional Budget Office projects marketplace enrollment falling to 13.1 million in 2027 from a peak of 22.4 million in 2025.
Marketplace and Individual Market Enrollment, in Millions
Other changes are also shrinking the market. In September 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services canceled coverage for about 760,000 enrollees it described as improperly enrolled, KFF reports, though some later had coverage reinstated. A pause on registering new agents and brokers in the federal marketplace runs until February 2027. Starting in 2027, adults who lose Medicaid only for failing new work requirements cannot get premium tax credits instead. Certain lawfully present immigrants, including refugees and asylees, can still buy coverage but no longer qualify for tax credits.
A Bigger Tax-Time Risk for 2026 Coverage
One more change affects your next tax return. Limits on how much excess premium tax credit you must repay were eliminated starting with the 2026 tax year, KFF notes. If your 2026 income ended up higher than you estimated, you may owe back the full difference when you file in early 2027. Updating your income estimate for 2027 now can help you avoid the same problem next year.
Open Enrollment Deadlines You Cannot Miss
A proposed rule to shorten open enrollment was struck down in court, KFF reports, so HealthCare.gov keeps its usual schedule for 2027 coverage: Nov. 1, 2026, through Jan. 15, 2027. Pick a plan by Dec. 15 for coverage that starts Jan. 1. State-run marketplaces set their own dates, according to healthinsurance.org.
- Nov. 1Open enrollment began in most states
- Dec. 15Deadline for Jan. 1 coverage on HealthCare.gov; Idaho closes
- Dec. 31Jan. 1 deadline in CA, MD, NV, NJ, NM, OR, VA, WA
- Jan. 12027 coverage and new rates take effect
- Jan. 15HealthCare.gov and most state marketplaces close
- Jan. 23Massachusetts enrollment ends
- Jan. 29Virginia enrollment ends
- Jan. 31CA, DC, NJ, NY and RI enrollment ends
| Marketplace | Enrollment ends | Deadline for Jan. 1 start | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HealthCare.gov states | Jan. 15, 2027 | Dec. 15, 2026 | Benchmark up 11% on average |
| California | Jan. 31 | Dec. 31 | State subsidies expanded |
| New York | Jan. 31 | Dec. 15 | 6% average rate increase approved |
| New Jersey | Jan. 31 | Dec. 31 | State subsidy program maintained |
| Massachusetts | Jan. 23 | Dec. 23 | State-run marketplace |
| Virginia | Jan. 29 | Dec. 31 | New state subsidy for 2027 |
| Idaho | Dec. 15 | Dec. 15 | Only state ending before January |
How to Lower Your 2027 Premium Before the Deadline
- Log in and update your 2027 income estimateSubsidies are based on projected income, not last year’s; a realistic number avoids repayment at tax time.
- Compare every metal level, not just silverIn 21 states, the average cheapest gold plan costs less than benchmark silver.
- Check cost-sharing reductionsUnder 250% of the poverty level, a silver plan can sharply lower deductibles and out-of-pocket limits.
- Look at total yearly costsThe 2027 out-of-pocket maximum can reach $12,000 for one person; a low premium can hide high costs.
- Check your doctors and drugsNetworks and formularies change, especially if your insurer is new or leaving.
- Ask about state helpNew Mexico, California, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Virginia offer their own assistance for 2027.
Bronze, HSA and Catastrophic Options
CMS says HealthCare.gov shoppers will have an average of about 35 plans that qualify for health savings accounts in 2027, and that more than 75% of buyers can find a plan for $50 a month or less after subsidies. Many of those low-cost options are bronze plans with high deductibles. Catastrophic plans are another lower-premium choice, but a June court decision limited eligibility to people under 30, people whose coverage would cost more than 8.5% of income and those with hardship exemptions, KFF reports.
- Income estimate updatedWithin the right poverty-level band
- Three plans compared per metalBronze, silver and gold
- Out-of-pocket maximum notedUp to $12,000 single, $24,000 family
- Doctors confirmed in networkCheck each 2027 directory
- Drugs on formularyCheck tier and prior authorization
- Dec. 15 deadline markedFor Jan. 1 coverage in most states
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are ACA premiums going up in 2027?
KFF found that average benchmark silver premiums rise 13% for 2027, to about $703 a month for a 40-year-old before subsidies. That follows a 26% increase in 2026.
When is open enrollment for 2027 health insurance?
On HealthCare.gov, open enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2026, to Jan. 15, 2027. Pick a plan by Dec. 15 for coverage that starts Jan. 1. Some state marketplaces run through Jan. 31.
What is the income limit for ACA subsidies in 2027?
Premium tax credits end above 400% of the federal poverty level: $63,840 for one person, $86,560 for two and $132,000 for a family of four for 2027 coverage.
How much will I pay for a benchmark plan with a subsidy?
For 2027, the most you pay for benchmark silver ranges from 2.15% of income at the lowest incomes to 10.22% between 300% and 400% of the poverty level, under IRS guidance.
What is the out-of-pocket maximum for 2027?
The 2027 ACA out-of-pocket maximum is $12,000 for an individual and $24,000 for a family, up from $10,600 and $21,200 in 2026.
Should I let my marketplace plan renew automatically?
It is usually better to compare plans. Premiums, subsidy amounts and insurers change every year, and some insurers, including Cigna, are leaving the individual market for 2027.
Is a gold plan ever cheaper than silver?
Yes. In 21 states the average cheapest gold plan costs less than benchmark silver in 2027, because of how insurers price cost-sharing reductions into silver plans.
Do I have to repay my premium tax credit?
If your actual income is higher than estimated, you may owe some or all of the credit back. Repayment caps were eliminated starting with the 2026 tax year.
The Bottom Line on 2027 ACA Prices
ACA marketplace prices for 2027 are up 13% on average, after a 26% jump in 2026, putting the average benchmark at about $703 a month for a 40-year-old. Subsidies still cap costs for most buyers, at up to 10.22% of income, but anyone above 400% of the poverty level, $63,840 for a single adult, pays full price. Update your income, compare all metal levels, check for state help and choose a plan by Dec. 15 for Jan. 1 coverage. HealthCare.gov enrollment closes Jan. 15.
Omisha is a health writer passionate about turning complex medical research into clear, actionable content readers can trust. She covers everything from nutrition and mental wellness to chronic disease management, always grounding her work in credible science and real-world relevance. When she's not writing, she's usually reading up on the latest health studies or exploring new wellness trends to write about next.
