Health insurance numbers for 2027
The figures that decide what U.S. health insurance costs in 2027, in one place. Every number is dated and linked to its official source, and we update the page when the agencies release new ones.
For 2027, the ACA out-of-pocket maximum is $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family. Marketplace subsidies still phase out at 400% of the federal poverty level ($63,840 for a single person, $132,000 for a family of four) because the enhanced 2021 to 2025 credits expired and have not been renewed. You can put up to $4,500 into an HSA ($9,000 for a family). Open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027; enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
Marketplace subsidies and income limits
Premium subsidies (tax credits) lower what you pay for a Marketplace plan. The enhanced subsidies of 2021 to 2025 expired at the start of 2026 and have not been renewed, so the old income cap, the "400% cliff," still applies for 2027: earn one dollar over the limit and your subsidy drops to zero. Eligibility is measured as a percent of the federal poverty level (FPL).
| Income (% of FPL) | One person | Family of 4 | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $15,960 | $33,000 | Lower edge of subsidy eligibility (where Medicaid is not available) |
| 138% | ~$22,000 | ~$45,500 | Medicaid ceiling in expansion states; subsidies start just above this |
| 400% | $63,840 | $132,000 | Subsidy cutoff for 2027, the "cliff" that returned in 2026 |
Sources: poverty guidelines, HHS/ASPE (2026 guidelines, used for 2027 coverage); subsidy cliff, KFF. The House passed a three-year extension of the enhanced credits in January 2026, but it has not become law.
Open enrollment and key dates
You can buy or change a Marketplace plan during open enrollment, or after a qualifying life event. On HealthCare.gov the 2027 window runs to January 15, but enroll by December 15 if you want coverage from January 1.
| When | Window |
|---|---|
| Open enrollment, 2027 coverage (HealthCare.gov) | November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 |
| Deadline for coverage starting January 1 | December 15, 2026 |
| Enroll December 16 to January 15 | Coverage starts February 1 |
| Special Enrollment Period after a qualifying life event | Generally 60 days from the event (job loss, move, marriage, a new baby) |
Source: HealthCare.gov. A 2025 rule would have ended open enrollment on December 15; a federal court vacated it (KFF). State-run Marketplaces set their own windows, and several run later.
What a plan can charge you
Federal law caps how much you can pay out of pocket in a year, and metal levels tell you roughly how a plan splits costs with you.
| Out-of-pocket maximum | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| One person | $10,600 | $12,000 |
| Family | $21,200 | $24,000 |
| Metal level | Plan pays (avg) | You pay (avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze | ~60% | ~40% |
| Silver | ~70% | ~30% |
| Gold | ~80% | ~20% |
| Platinum | ~90% | ~10% |
A Catastrophic plan is a fifth option with very low premiums and very high deductibles, available mainly to people under 30 or those with a hardship exemption.
Sources: out-of-pocket cap, HealthCare.gov; metal levels, HealthCare.gov.
HSA, HDHP, and FSA limits
Tax-advantaged accounts have IRS-set limits that change every year.
| Item (2027) | Self-only | Family |
|---|---|---|
| HSA contribution | $4,500 | $9,000 |
| HSA catch-up (age 55+) | +$1,000 | +$1,000 |
| HDHP minimum deductible | $1,750 | $3,500 |
| HDHP out-of-pocket limit | $8,700 | $17,400 |
| Health FSA contribution | Not yet announced (2026: $3,400 per employee) | |
| Health FSA carryover of unused 2026 money | Up to $680 | |
Note: the HDHP out-of-pocket limit ($8,700 / $17,400) is lower than the general ACA cap above. HSA-eligible plans must use the lower one.
Still funding your HSA for 2026? You have until the April 2027 tax deadline, and the 2026 limits apply: $4,400 self-only, $8,750 family.
Sources: HSA and HDHP, IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-24; health FSA (2026), IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
Employer coverage and average costs
If you have a job-based or ICHRA offer, "affordability" decides whether you could instead take a Marketplace subsidy. An offer counts as affordable for 2027 if your share of the premium for self-only coverage is no more than 10.22% of household income, up from 9.96% in 2026 and the first time the threshold has topped 10%. Here is what employer coverage costs on average.
| Measure (2026 survey) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average annual premium, single coverage | $9,804 |
| Average annual premium, family coverage | $28,303 |
| Average worker share, family coverage | $7,471 |
| Average deductible, single coverage (workers with a deductible) | $1,955 |
Sources: affordability percentage, IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-26; average costs, KFF 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey (latest available).
States that require coverage
Most of the U.S. has had no penalty for being uninsured since 2019, but five places still run their own individual mandate: California, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The penalty is generally the greater of a flat amount (roughly $750 to $950 per uninsured adult) or about 2.5% of household income; Massachusetts uses a monthly, income-based schedule. Amounts change yearly, so check your state.
Source: healthinsurance.org.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2027 ACA out-of-pocket maximum?
For 2027, federal law caps in-network out-of-pocket costs at $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family, up from $10,600 and $21,200 in 2026. Once you hit it, the plan pays 100% of covered care for the rest of the year.
What is the income limit for ACA marketplace subsidies in 2027?
For 2027 coverage, premium subsidies phase out at 400% of the federal poverty level, about $63,840 for a single person and $132,000 for a family of four. The enhanced pandemic-era credits expired on January 1, 2026 and have not been renewed, so earning one dollar above the limit drops the subsidy to zero.
What is the 2027 HSA contribution limit?
For 2027 you can contribute up to $4,500 to an HSA with self-only coverage or $9,000 with family coverage, plus an extra $1,000 if you are 55 or older. The 2026 limits are $4,400 and $8,750, and you have until the April 2027 tax deadline to make 2026 contributions.
What is the 2027 health FSA contribution limit?
The IRS has not announced the 2027 health FSA limit yet; it usually does in the fall. For 2026 the limit is $3,400 per employee, and if your plan allows carryover, up to $680 of unused 2026 money can roll into 2027.
When is open enrollment for 2027 health coverage?
On HealthCare.gov, open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1; enroll between December 16 and January 15 and coverage starts February 1. A federal rule that would have ended the window on December 15 was struck down in court. State-run Marketplaces set their own dates.
These figures are for education and planning, not tax or insurance advice. Confirm specifics with the official source or a licensed professional before you act.