ACA Enrollment Opens With Higher Premiums and Stricter ID Checks
The 2027 open enrollment period begins Nov. 1, bringing new identity verification rules, a broker moratorium, and continued premium hikes for millions of Americans.
By Olivia Miller ·
The open enrollment period for 2027 Affordable Care Act coverage begins Nov. 1 in most states.
Idaho, Connecticut, and Massachusetts started earlier, while other states allowed preliminary rate checks. Shoppers face a mix of premium increases, new identity rules, and potential delays in working with brokers. These changes follow the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the end of 2025, which experts say caused millions to drop or lose coverage in early 2026.
The Trump administration cites falling enrollment as a victory for fraud reduction efforts, including an August cancellation of policies for 760,000 suspected improper enrollees. A small number of those individuals have since regained coverage. For consumers using agents in the federal marketplace, which serves 29 states, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services introduced new verification steps to curb fraud.
All consumers using an agent must now obtain a one-time confirmation code via text, email, or phone to authorize specific representatives. Those deemed high-risk, including first-time applicants or those with monthly premiums of $30 or less, must also verify their identity through a third party like Experian. Joshua Brooker, a Pennsylvania insurance agency owner, warned that up to one in five consumers may face extra proofing, potentially causing some to forgo insurance.
CMS also issued a rule in September pausing new brokers from assisting with 2027 enrollments until at least February. This moratorium affects agents not registered with the federal marketplace in 2026. Jason Fine, a Florida brokerage owner, said the rule benefits large call centers that can maintain year-round staff, while smaller agencies struggle to find available agents. The National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals filed a lawsuit on Oct. 15, arguing the rule unfairly targets 19,000 new agents.
Premium costs remain a central concern. Last year saw an average 26% increase, the largest in years, driven by insurer fears of a sicker risk pool after subsidy expiration. For 2027, premiums are expected to rise by 15%. Subsidies remain income-based, cutting off for households earning more than four times the federal poverty rate, such as $63,840 for a single person in 2026. Louise Norris, a health policy analyst, noted that overall affordability will stay roughly the same for many, though not ideal.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act strips subsidy eligibility from many lawfully present immigrants, including H-1B visa holders and refugees. Green-card holders, certain Cuban and Haitian immigrants, and citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau remain eligible. Experts advise consumers to compare plans rather than letting them auto-renew, as deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums are also rising. The individual out-of-pocket cap will increase 13% to $12,000 in 2027.
