Your 2027 Open Enrollment Checklist

Open enrollment rewards preparation. Work through these seven steps before you click "enroll" and you will avoid the most common — and most expensive — mistakes.

1. Mark the deadline

On HealthCare.gov, the 2027 enrollment window closes January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027 (why it is January 15). Find your state marketplace and confirm its deadline. See the 2027 open enrollment guide and printable plan worksheet.

2. Estimate your 2027 household income

Your premium tax credit is based on projected annual household income. Get this as accurate as you can — under- or over-estimating affects both your monthly cost and your taxes.

3. List your doctors and prescriptions

Write down every provider you want to keep and every medication you take. You will check each plan against this list.

4. Review last year's usage

Did you hit your deductible? See specialists often? Skip care to save money? Your real usage — not a guess — should guide whether you need a higher or lower metal tier.

5. Compare total cost, not premium

Add the annual premium to your expected out-of-pocket costs. A slightly higher premium with a much lower deductible often wins if you use care. Review metal tiers and how the cost terms work.

6. Verify network and formulary on each plan

Confirm your doctors are in-network and your drugs are on the formulary — this is where auto-renewal quietly burns people. See in-network vs out-of-network.

7. Check your subsidy, then enroll

Run your subsidy eligibility before choosing a tier, then enroll before the deadline. A licensed broker can do all of this with you at no cost.

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