ACA Premiums Jump 14% in 2027: Costs, Deadlines & Who Pays More
Unsubsidised ACA premiums rise 14.1% for 2027 to about $845 a month as open enrolment runs to January 15, with the subsidy cliff back for middle-income buyers.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / ajay_suresh
WASHINGTON, Nov 10 — Americans buying their own health insurance will pay about 14.1 per cent more next year, with the average unsubsidised premium rising to roughly $845 a month, according to final rate filings approved by regulators in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. ACA Signups puts the average $104 a month above the $741 average for 2026 — more than $1,200 extra over the year. Open enrolment for 2027 coverage opened on November 1.
The rise follows a 20 per cent median increase regulators finalised for 2026, leaving typical premiums more than a third higher in two years. KFF, the health policy research group, found benchmark silver premiums — the plans used to set federal subsidy amounts — will rise 13 per cent on average for 2027, to $704 a month for a 40-year-old, up from $624 this year.
- Average unsubsidised premiums rise 14.1% for 2027, to about $845 a month — $104 more than in 2026.
- Benchmark silver premiums rise 13%, to about $704 a month.
- What enrollees pay after tax credits already jumped 58% in 2026, from $113 to $178 a month.
- Open enrolment runs to January 15, 2027; enrol by December 15 for cover from January 1.
How Much Will ACA Premiums Cost in 2027 in Each State?
The national average hides wide gaps. Average unsubsidised premiums for 2027 run from $568 a month in Idaho to $1,509 a month in West Virginia — a gap of nearly 2.7 times. Seven states will average more than $1,000 a month: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Mexico, Vermont and Wyoming.
| What changes | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Average unsubsidised monthly premium | $741 | ~$845 (+14.1%) |
| Benchmark silver premium, 40-year-old | $624 | ~$704 (+13%) |
| Individual out-of-pocket maximum | $10,600 | $12,000 |
Why Are ACA Premiums Rising Again in 2027?
Rising medical costs and heavier use of care are the main driver, according to the rate filings analysed by KFF. Insurers also pointed to federal policy changes that make enrolment harder for some people: in its New York filing, UnitedHealthcare said the new rules account for 12.7% of its requested increase. The average monthly premium enrollees paid after tax credits rose 58% in 2026, from $113 to $178, while the average deductible climbed 37% to a record $3,786, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. KFF's Cynthia Cox called it a "triple whammy."
Who Pays the Full 14% Increase and Who Gets Help?
The increase falls hardest on people just above the subsidy line. Under the original Affordable Care Act rules, premium tax credits stop entirely at 400% of the federal poverty level — $63,840 for a single person — so those buyers pay the full sticker price. The extra credits added by Congress in 2021 expired on December 31, 2025; the House passed an extension in January, but the Senate has not acted. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said more than 75% of HealthCare.gov shoppers will have access to a plan costing $50 a month or less after credits, with about 100 plans from five to six insurers on average.
Household budgets face pressure from several directions. The Social Security trustees project a 22% benefit cut by 2032, and the Federal Reserve is weighing a December rate rise as it watches the same inflation pressures. Paid marketplace enrolment has already fallen from 22.1 million in 2025 to 19.2 million in February 2026, and at least six insurers, including Cigna, will leave the marketplaces in 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will my ACA premium increase in 2027?
On average, unsubsidised premiums rise 14.1%, to about $845 a month — $104 more than in 2026. Benchmark silver premiums rise 13% on average. The exact rise varies by state: Idaho averages $568 a month, while West Virginia averages $1,509.
What is the deadline to enrol in ACA coverage for 2027?
Shoppers must enrol by December 15, 2026 for coverage starting January 1, 2027. Open enrolment runs to January 15, 2027, but plans picked after December 15 start February 1.
Do I still get a subsidy if I earn more than $63,840?
No. Premium tax credits stop entirely above 400% of the federal poverty level, which is $63,840 for a single person for 2027 coverage. The extra credits expired at the end of 2025, and the Senate has not acted on the House-passed extension.
The next deadline is December 15, the last day to enrol for coverage starting January 1. Open enrolment closes on January 15, 2027.
