With the extra premium subsidies gone, many people shopping for 2027 coverage will see higher bills than they’re used to. That makes the way you compare plans matter more. Here’s a practical approach to choosing a Marketplace plan when the price tag is doing more of the deciding.
Step 1: Get your income estimate right
Everything else depends on it. Premium tax credits for 2027 are based on your expected household income for the year, and they generally stop at 400% of the federal poverty level, about $63,840 for a single person or $132,000 for a family of four in most states.
- If you’re just over the line, the difference can be thousands of dollars a year. Contributions to a traditional 401(k), traditional IRA, or HSA generally lower the income figure the Marketplace uses. A tax professional can tell you whether that applies to you.
- If your income is uneven, as with freelance or commission work, estimate carefully. Any excess credit you receive now has to be repaid in full at tax time.
- If your income is low, you may qualify for Medicaid instead, depending on your state.
Step 2: Compare total cost, not just the premium
A low monthly premium can hide a high deductible. Add up what you’d realistically pay in a year:
Yearly cost = (monthly premium × 12) + the deductible and copays you expect to use. For a healthy year, look mostly at premiums. If you expect surgery, a pregnancy, or ongoing treatment, plan on reaching the out-of-pocket maximum and compare that worst case.
| Metal level | Premium | Costs when you get care | Often fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | Lowest | Highest | People who rarely see a doctor and want protection from big bills |
| Silver | Middle | Middle | Most people who qualify for extra savings (see below) |
| Gold | Higher | Lower | People with regular care, prescriptions, or a planned procedure |
The most a plan can charge you for covered in-network care in 2027 is $12,000 for an individual or $24,000 for a family, and many plans set their limit lower. Two plans with similar premiums can have very different maximums.
Step 3: Check whether silver gets you extra savings
If your income is at or below 250% of the poverty level, a silver plan can come with cost-sharing reductions: a lower deductible, lower copays, and a lower out-of-pocket maximum. These extra savings are only available on silver plans, so a silver plan can beat a cheaper bronze plan once you count what you’d pay for care.
Step 4: Make sure your doctors and drugs are covered
- Networks: many Marketplace plans are HMOs or EPOs that don’t pay for out-of-network care except in emergencies. Look up your doctors and preferred hospital in each plan’s directory.
- Prescriptions: check each plan’s drug list (formulary) and what tier your medications fall on. Tier differences can outweigh premium differences.
Step 5: Look at options outside the Marketplace, carefully
If you don’t qualify for a tax credit, you can also buy ACA-compliant plans directly from insurers or through an agent, sometimes with the same plans you’d find on the Marketplace. Only Marketplace plans can carry a tax credit, though, so if you might qualify, apply through HealthCare.gov or your state’s exchange. Some non-ACA options cost less but may limit benefits or exclude pre-existing conditions. Our page on private health insurance under 65 explains the trade-offs.
Step 6: Enroll on time
In HealthCare.gov states, open enrollment runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027, and you need to choose a plan by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. See our 2027 open enrollment guide for state dates and what changed this year.
Self-employed? Our guide to health insurance for the self-employed covers deductions and HSAs. Covering kids too? See family health insurance.
Please note: LocalQuotes.online is not an insurance company, agency, or broker and is not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or any government agency. We connect you with licensed agents and marketing partners who may contact you about plans. Not all plans are available in all states, and plan details vary. We may be compensated by the agents and partners we connect you with. This page is general information, not insurance, legal, or tax advice.