Prepare Before November 1 to Make the Process Easier
ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment begins November 1 (in most states), but you don't have to wait until then to start preparing. Taking a little time now to organize your information and think about what you need from your health coverage can make the enrollment process easier when it's time to compare plans.
Then give us a call to set up an enrollment appointment. We’ll help walk you through your options, answer your questions, and ensure we are prepared when enrollment season starts.
1. Think About How You Used Your Coverage This Year
Start by looking back at your healthcare needs over the past year. Did your current plan work well for you? Were your doctors in-network? Did you start seeing a new specialist or begin taking a new medication? Did you have higher out-of-pocket costs than you expected?
Make a quick list of what worked and what didn't. This can help you identify what's most important when you compare your 2027 options.
2. List Your Doctors and Prescriptions
Before Open Enrollment begins, make a list of:
- Doctors and specialists you want to continue seeing
- Hospitals or healthcare facilities you prefer
- Prescription medications and dosages
- Your preferred pharmacy
Provider networks and covered drug lists can vary between plans and can change from year to year. Having this information ready will make it easier to check your options.
3. Review Your Income and Household Information
Marketplace financial assistance is based in part on your expected household income and household information for the year you're seeking coverage.
Think about whether anything has changed, including your income, household size, address, or access to other health coverage. You'll want to provide accurate, up-to-date information when you complete your 2027 Marketplace application.
4. Watch for Important Coverage Notices
If you already have Marketplace coverage, watch for information from both your insurance company and the Marketplace. These notices can tell you whether your current plan will be available next year, whether you're being matched with a plan for automatic re-enrollment, and what may be changing with your coverage or costs.
Keep these notices somewhere easy to find. They'll be helpful when it's time to review your options.
5. Be Alert for Open Enrollment Scams
As Open Enrollment approaches, you may see more health insurance ads and receive more calls, texts, or emails about coverage. Be cautious with unsolicited communications, especially if someone pressures you to act immediately or asks for personal, financial, or Marketplace account information. Don't provide sensitive information unless you're confident you know who you're dealing with.
If something doesn't seem right, contact the Marketplace, your insurance company, or a trusted licensed insurance professional like us to ensure you are working with credible advisors through this process.
6. Mark the Important Dates
For states using the federal Health Insurance Marketplace,
Open Enrollment begins November 1 and runs through January 15. State-based Marketplaces may have different deadlines, so check the enrollment dates that apply where you live.
There's another important date to remember:
December 15. Enroll in or change plans by December 15 to start new coverage on January 1, 2027. If you enroll between December 16 and January 15, your coverage will begin on February 1, 2027.
Get Ready Now, Compare in November
You don't need to choose a plan yet. For now, your job is simply to get organized. Gather your information, think about what you need from your health coverage, and keep an eye out for important notices. Then, when Open Enrollment begins, you'll be ready to take a closer look at your options.
Have questions before Open Enrollment begins? We're here to help you get prepared for 2027.
