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
Enroll by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027. Do not rely on the later mid-January date — confirm your state's rules. See the full 2027 open enrollment guide.
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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