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ACA Health Insurance Enrollment

Enroll in an Affordable Care Act Marketplace health plan through HealthCare.gov or your state exchange, check savings eligibility, compare plans and pay the first premium so coverage starts on time.

Curated by Raaya · Last reviewed Oct 2026

Steps

  1. Check your enrollment window and exchange

    1 day

    You can buy a Marketplace plan during Open Enrollment or, outside it, only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. For 2027 coverage on HealthCare.gov, Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027; enroll by December 15 for coverage from January 1, or by January 15 for coverage from February 1. Several states run their own exchanges with different deadlines.

    Life events such as losing job-based coverage, moving to a new ZIP code or county, marriage, or having a baby usually give you 60 days to enroll (90 days after losing Medicaid or CHIP).

    If your employer offers affordable coverage that meets minimum standards, you usually cannot get savings on a Marketplace plan.

    Tip: Use the Marketplace in your state page on HealthCare.gov first; applying on the wrong site wastes time if your state runs its own exchange.

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  2. Gather household and income information

    2 days

    The application asks about everyone in your tax household, even people not applying for coverage.

    Have ready: Social Security numbers (or document numbers for lawfully present immigrants) and dates of birth for all applicants; your best estimate of next year's household income, starting from pay stubs, W-2s or last year's tax return; details of any job-based coverage offered to anyone in the household (the employer can fill in the Employer Coverage Tool); and current policy numbers if you have coverage now.

    Savings are based on projected income for the coverage year, not last year's income.

    Tip: Include all taxable income, such as self-employment, unemployment and Social Security; underestimating income can mean repaying excess premium tax credit at tax time.

    Social Security numbers for household membersPay stubs or other proof of current incomeMost recent federal tax returnImmigration documents (lawfully present applicants)Employer coverage details (Employer Coverage Tool)
    Attach my documents

  3. Preview plans and estimate your savings

    1 day

    Use the HealthCare.gov preview tool to see available plans and estimated prices without creating an account.

    Premium tax credits lower your monthly premium and depend on household income compared with the federal poverty level. The enhanced credits available from 2021 to 2025 expired, so for 2026 coverage, credits are generally limited to households with income from 100% to 400% of the poverty level; check HealthCare.gov for the rules that apply to your coverage year. If your income is low, you may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP instead, depending on your state.

    Cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles and copays, are only available on Silver plans for people with incomes up to 250% of the poverty level.

    Tip: You can take the premium tax credit in advance each month or claim it all on your tax return; taking it in advance means reporting income changes promptly.

    Pay stubs or other proof of current incomeMost recent federal tax return
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  4. Compare plans on total yearly cost

    2 days

    Plans are grouped into Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers by how costs are split between you and the insurer, not by quality of care. Bronze has the lowest premiums and highest costs when you need care; Platinum the reverse. Catastrophic plans are available to people under 30 and some others with a hardship exemption.

    Estimate your total yearly cost: twelve months of premiums plus the deductible, copays and coinsurance you expect to use, up to the out-of-pocket maximum.

    Check the plan type: HMO and EPO plans generally cover only in-network care, while PPO plans cover some out-of-network care at higher cost.

    Tip: Search each plan's provider directory and drug list for your own doctors and prescriptions before choosing; switching mid-year is usually not allowed.

    • List your doctors, hospitals and regular prescriptions
    • Confirm each provider is in the plan network
    • Check each prescription is on the plan formulary and its tier
    • Compare deductible and out-of-pocket maximum
    • Estimate total yearly cost, not just the monthly premium
    • Check Silver plans if you qualify for cost-sharing reductions

  5. Get free help from a Navigator (optional)

    1 day

    Navigators and certified application counselors are trained and certified to help you apply, understand savings and compare plans. Their help is free and they must give impartial information. Licensed agents and brokers can also enroll you at no extra cost; they are paid by insurers and may only offer certain companies' plans.

    Search Find Local Help on HealthCare.gov by ZIP code to see nearby assisters, languages offered and whether they work in person or by phone. The Marketplace Call Center can also take your application by phone.

    Book early during Open Enrollment, as appointments fill up close to deadlines.

    Tip: Never share your HealthCare.gov password; an assister or broker should work with you, not log in on your behalf without your consent.

    Where
    Marketplace Navigator or certified application counselor · Free, unbiased enrollment help in person or by phone. Bring SSNs or immigration document numbers, income estimates, employer coverage details, and your list of doctors and prescriptions.
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  6. Submit your application and pick a plan

    2 days

    Create an account on HealthCare.gov or your state exchange, complete the application for your household and submit it. You immediately receive an eligibility notice showing whether you qualify for premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions, Medicaid or CHIP.

    Then choose a plan and decide how much of your premium tax credit to apply each month. Enrollment is not complete until you select a plan and confirm.

    If the Marketplace cannot verify information such as income or immigration status, your notice will list the documents to send and the deadline, usually 90 days. Upload them through your account.

    Tip: Download and keep the eligibility notice and enrollment confirmation; they are your proof if there is a dispute about savings or start dates.

    Social Security numbers for household membersPay stubs or other proof of current incomeImmigration documents (lawfully present applicants)Employer coverage details (Employer Coverage Tool)
    Attach my documents

  7. Pay your first premium to the insurer

    1 day

    Coverage does not start until you pay the first month's premium, called the binder payment, directly to the insurance company, not to HealthCare.gov. The insurer will contact you, or you can pay through the link after enrolling or on the insurer's website.

    Pay by the insurer's deadline, which is normally before the coverage start date. If you miss it, your enrollment can be canceled.

    Set up automatic monthly payments afterwards. If you receive advance premium tax credits and stop paying, there is a three-month grace period before coverage ends.

    Tip: Keep the payment confirmation, and call the insurer if you have not received your member ID card within two weeks of paying.

  8. Confirm coverage started and save your card

    1 day

    Around your coverage start date, confirm with the insurer that the policy is active. Create an account on the insurer's website, download your digital member ID card, and choose a primary care doctor if your plan requires one.

    Report changes to the Marketplace within 30 days, such as income changes, marriage, a new baby, a move or getting job-based coverage. This keeps your premium tax credit accurate and avoids repayment when you file taxes.

    In January you will receive Form 1095-A from the Marketplace; you need it to file your federal return and reconcile the premium tax credit on Form 8962.

    Tip: Each fall, return during Open Enrollment to update your income and compare plans; automatic renewal may leave you in a plan with higher costs.

Documents you'll need

Social Security numbers for household membersNeeded for every applicant who has one and for tax filers in the household. Used to verify identity, income and citizenship.
Pay stubs or other proof of current incomeHelps you estimate next year's household income. The Marketplace may request proof if your estimate does not match data sources.
Most recent federal tax returnA starting point for projecting modified adjusted gross income and confirming who is in your tax household.
Immigration documents (lawfully present applicants)Lawfully present immigrants enter document type and number to verify eligibility. Only applicants need to provide immigration information.
Employer coverage details (Employer Coverage Tool)Needed if anyone in the household is offered job-based coverage or an HRA. Your employer can complete the tool for you.

Official sources

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General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you act.

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