2027 open enrollment for self-employed health insurance: dates, deadlines and your next move

Sam Jaber, Licensed Health Insurance Advisor · Updated October 2026 · Last reviewed October 1, 2026

NPN 20698748 · Licensed in 31 states · Licensing details

Short answer: November 1, 2026 marks the beginning of open enrollment for 2027. HealthCare.gov enrollment closes January 15, 2027, but you must select coverage by December 15 to start January 1. Virginia's deadline extends through January 29. Which plan you should consider during this period largely comes down to whether your income qualifies for premium tax credits.

• The dates in your state
• My income gets a credit
• I'm over the line and healthy
• I'm over the line with a condition
• I already have a plan
• The window already closed

Open enrollment gives everyone an annual opportunity to purchase, replace or cancel marketplace coverage without needing a qualifying life event. When you're self-employed, there's another important decision involved: estimating income for a year that hasn't started. That projection determines how much premium assistance you can receive, so getting it right matters.

We'll start with enrollment dates, since deadlines vary depending on where you live. After that, I'll explain the common situations self-employed people face. Just find the one matching your circumstances and focus on that section.

When 2027 open enrollment runs in your state

In most states where Sam holds a license, enrollment happens through HealthCare.gov. Seven have their own marketplace websites, with some following different deadlines. Arkansas and Oklahoma operate state marketplaces using the federal platform, meaning residents still use HealthCare.gov and its federal enrollment schedule.

These dates reflect what individual marketplaces had published by early October 2026. A federal rule established the 2027 enrollment window, but ongoing litigation could change it. Always rely on the enrollment dates provided by your state or federal marketplace. When a state hadn't published its January 1 coverage deadline, we kept that field empty instead of estimating.

If you select coverage through HealthCare.gov from December 16 through January 15, your policy begins February 1, not January 1. That's important if your existing insurance expires December 31, since you'd have a full month without coverage.

If your income for 2027 lands inside the tax credit range

Premium tax credits for 2027 end when household income exceeds 400% of the federal poverty level. Under the applicable 2026 guidelines, the thresholds are $63,840 for an individual, $86,560 for two people and $132,000 for four. Your projected 2027 household income is what matters. If you own a business, count profits after deducting expenses rather than total revenue.

When your projected income qualifies, applying the tax credit generally makes marketplace coverage your most affordable choice. Coverage purchased elsewhere cannot receive that assistance. Your priorities then become making a reliable income projection and selecting coverage that includes the doctors you want to see.

Income projections now carry greater financial consequences. Beginning with the 2026 tax year, the IRS removed the repayment limit when advance premium credits exceed your actual entitlement. If unexpectedly strong fourth-quarter profits take you above the cutoff, you could owe back the entire advance credit. The subsidy cliff guide explains why crossing that threshold matters.

If you'll earn too much for a credit and you're healthy

If your income exceeds the subsidy threshold, you'll pay the entire marketplace premium yourself. For plenty of self-employed families, that's difficult to afford. Still, open enrollment gives you a useful opportunity to calculate your actual 2027 marketplace cost and compare it against coverage available elsewhere.

Healthy households may qualify for medically underwritten private insurance using a nationwide PPO network. Before approving coverage, the insurer evaluates your medical information. That screening can allow lower premiums than plans required to accept every applicant. Once approved, you may have access to in-network doctors nationwide rather than only within your county. Read our guide to medical underwriting for an explanation of each step.

Unlike marketplace coverage, these private policies don't have to follow the November through January enrollment period. But comparing them during open enrollment is smart. You'll have current prices for both routes, and if the medically underwritten option isn't suitable, you can still enroll through the marketplace.

If you're over the line and managing a health condition

A medical condition alone doesn't determine which coverage you should choose. Private insurance may still be worth exploring for some people receiving treatment, while others will do better through the marketplace. Sam Jaber can review the specifics and compare both routes with you.

Regardless of which option you prefer, use open enrollment to verify your coverage details. Provider networks and covered medications can change annually. Make sure your specialists and pharmacy participate in the 2027 plan, and complete enrollment before your state's January 1 coverage deadline to avoid an interruption.

If you already have a marketplace plan and expect it to renew

According to HealthCare.gov, you should receive letters from both your insurer and the marketplace by November 1. They'll explain whether your existing coverage continues into 2027 and what replacement you'll receive without taking action. Automatic renewal may happen after December 15, but unless you revise your income information, your financial assistance could be calculated using outdated figures.

For business owners, relying on that old estimate is where problems begin. Your previous projection probably won't match next year's actual profit. Enter your expected 2027 income in the application, then review whether the assigned plan still suits your needs.

If you're reading this after the window closed

Once January 15 passes, or January 29 in Virginia, marketplace enrollment generally requires a qualifying event such as marriage, childbirth, relocation or losing existing coverage. Our guide to missing open enrollment explains your remaining choices. For preparation next fall, use the 1099 worker's checklist.

Common questions