Open Enrollment Opens Sunday: A 15-Minute 2027 Checklist
Open Enrollment for 2027 opens November 1. Six steps in fifteen minutes: renewal notice, doctors, income, worst-year cost, special cases, December 15.
2027 ACA Rates Are Final in 15 of 23 States: Up 7.4% to 22.1%
Final 2027 marketplace rates are approved in 15 of 23 states, from 7.4% in Utah to 22.1% in South Carolina. Every state ranked, and what to do before Nov. 1.
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Self-Employed in 2027: Six Health Insurance Numbers That Changed
For 2027 coverage the tax-credit line is $63,840, the out-of-pocket cap $12,000 and the HSA limit $4,500. Six numbers self-employed buyers need by Dec 15.
Pre-Existing Condition? 5 Rules That Protect You in 2027
The marketplace must sell you a 2027 plan at the same price whatever your health history. The five rules, when you can buy, and what to check in each plan.
2027 ACA Rates Are Final in 15 of 23 States: Up 7.4% to 22.1%
Final 2027 marketplace rates are approved in 15 of 23 states, from 7.4% in Utah to 22.1% in South Carolina. Every state ranked, and what to do before Nov. 1.
Is Your Spouse's Work Plan Affordable? The 2027 Test Is 10.22%
If family coverage at work costs more than 10.22% of household income, your spouse and kids can get 2027 marketplace tax credits. How to run the test.
The 2027 Out-of-Pocket Limit Is $12,000, Up 30% in Two Years
The most a 2027 marketplace plan can make you pay is $12,000, up from $9,200 in 2025. Why it jumped, which plans sit at the cap, and how to compare them.
Your Health Plan Is Ending: What to Do Before December 15
If your insurer says your plan ends December 31, choose a new one by December 15. The three letters, what to check and what happens if you do nothing.
Five 2026 Health Insurance Changes for Practice and Firm Owners
The subsidy ceiling is back, the repayment cap is gone and every Bronze plan now pairs with an HSA. Five 2026 changes for practice and firm owners, in numbers.
Open Enrollment 2027: Dates, Deadlines and What’s Different
Open Enrollment for 2027 health plans runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. The deadline that matters, state marketplaces, rate increases and exits.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Tennessee’s Marketplace in 2027?
Cigna leaves Tennessee’s individual market on January 1, 2027 after covering 65 of 95 counties. Who is left, what changes in your county, and what to do before open enrollment.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Oklahoma’s Marketplace in 2027?
Two insurers leave Oklahoma’s individual market on January 1, 2027 — Medica and Mending. Who is going, who is left, and what to do before open enrollment.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Kansas’s Marketplace in 2027?
Medica leaves the Kansas individual market on January 1, 2027, affecting about 600 members around Kansas City. Who is affected, who is not, and what to do.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Virginia’s Marketplace in 2027?
Cigna exits Virginia’s individual market on January 1, 2027. Who is leaving, who is left, what auto-enrollment does, and what to do before open enrollment.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Texas’s Marketplace in 2027?
Cigna exits Texas’s individual market on January 1, 2027. Who is leaving, who is left, what auto-enrollment does, and what to do before open enrollment.
Which Insurers Are Leaving North Carolina’s Marketplace in 2027?
Cigna exits North Carolina’s individual market on January 1, 2027. Who is leaving, who is left, what auto-enrollment does, and what to do before open enrollment.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Indiana’s Marketplace in 2027?
Cigna exits Indiana’s individual market on January 1, 2027. Who is leaving, who is left, what auto-enrollment does, and what to do before open enrollment.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Illinois’s Marketplace in 2027?
Cigna exits Illinois’s individual market on January 1, 2027. Who is leaving, who is left, what auto-enrollment does, and what to do before open enrollment.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Georgia’s Marketplace in 2027?
Cigna exits Georgia’s individual market on January 1, 2027. Who is leaving, who is left, what auto-enrollment does, and what to do before open enrollment.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Florida’s Marketplace in 2027?
Cigna exits Florida’s individual market on January 1, 2027. Who is leaving, who is left, what auto-enrollment does, and what to do before open enrollment.
Which Insurers Are Leaving Colorado’s Marketplace in 2027?
Cigna exits Colorado’s individual market on January 1, 2027. Who is leaving, who is left, what auto-enrollment does, and what to do before open enrollment.
Skip Open Enrollment and an Algorithm Picks Your Plan
Doing nothing at open enrollment does not freeze your coverage. It hands the choice to an auto-reenrollment rule — and three things change quietly when you let it run.
Realtors: The Health Insurance Bill That Arrives in April
Commission income makes ACA subsidies a guess. Guess low and the IRS reclaims the difference at tax time — and above the cliff there is no cap on what you repay.
Small Business Owners Have Four Options. Most Pick Wrong.
Group plan, QSEHRA, ICHRA or individual coverage — the right answer depends on headcount, your own health and whether you actually want to run a benefit.
One Dollar Over This Line Costs a Family $14,469
The ACA subsidy cliff does not taper. At $63,840 single or $132,000 for a family of four, the premium tax credit stops completely — here is what that costs.
You Drive 48 States. Your Plan Stops at the County Line.
Eleven states sell no PPO at all on the ACA marketplace. For owner-operators and long-haul drivers, that network map is a bigger problem than the premium.
What’s Changing
Carrier exits, rate filings and the rules shifting under the market.
2027 ACA Rates Are Final in 15 of 23 States: Up 7.4% to 22.1%
Final 2027 marketplace rates are approved in 15 of 23 states, from 7.4% in Utah to 22.1% in South Carolina. Every state ranked, and what to do before Nov. 1.
The 2027 Out-of-Pocket Limit Is $12,000, Up 30% in Two Years
The most a 2027 marketplace plan can make you pay is $12,000, up from $9,200 in 2025. Why it jumped, which plans sit at the cap, and how to compare them.
Cigna Is Quitting the ACA: 369,000 Need New Plans
Cigna is exiting the ACA individual market entirely on January 1, 2027, ending coverage for about 369,000 people across 11 states. What happens next and how to replace it.
ACA Premiums Rising 15% in 2027
ACA marketplace premiums are proposed to rise a median 15% in 2027.
8 Healthcare Changes in 2027 That Affect Your Coverage
From Medicaid work requirements to GLP-1 drug costs and ACA premium spikes, here are the eight healthcare developments that will most affect coverage.
Self-Employed & Business Owners
If nobody hands you a benefits packet, start here.
Self-Employed in 2027: Six Health Insurance Numbers That Changed
For 2027 coverage the tax-credit line is $63,840, the out-of-pocket cap $12,000 and the HSA limit $4,500. Six numbers self-employed buyers need by Dec 15.
Five 2026 Health Insurance Changes for Practice and Firm Owners
The subsidy ceiling is back, the repayment cap is gone and every Bronze plan now pairs with an HSA. Five 2026 changes for practice and firm owners, in numbers.
Realtors: The Health Insurance Bill That Arrives in April
Commission income makes ACA subsidies a guess. Guess low and the IRS reclaims the difference at tax time — and above the cliff there is no cap on what you repay.
Small Business Owners Have Four Options. Most Pick Wrong.
Group plan, QSEHRA, ICHRA or individual coverage — the right answer depends on headcount, your own health and whether you actually want to run a benefit.
You Drive 48 States. Your Plan Stops at the County Line.
Eleven states sell no PPO at all on the ACA marketplace. For owner-operators and long-haul drivers, that network map is a bigger problem than the premium.
Group vs. Health Insurance for Small Business Owners (2026 Guide)
Should your small business offer a group health plan, reimburse employees through a QSEHRA or ICHRA, or let everyone buy individual coverage?
Health Insurance for High Earners
Earning six figures and getting no ACA subsidy? Here's how health insurance actually works at $100K, $150K, and $200K+, MAGI strategies.
Health Insurance for Successful Business Owners
You can afford any plan, so which one is actually worth buying?
Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Explained
The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit refunds up to 50% of employer premium contributions, and most eligible businesses never claim it.
Freelancer Health Insurance Guide 2026
The complete freelancer health insurance guide for 2026. ACA plans, subsidies, HSAs, and the tax deduction explained for independent workers.
How Much Is Health Insurance for Self-Employed Workers in 2026?
See real 2026 health insurance costs for self-employed workers by income level.
Health Insurance for 1099 Workers: Your Complete 2026 Guide
1099 independent contractors can get affordable health insurance through the ACA marketplace.
Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction 2026: How to Claim It
Self-employed workers can deduct 100% of health insurance premiums in 2026. Learn who qualifies, how to claim it, and how it interacts with ACA subsidies.
Best Health Insurance for Gig Workers and Freelancers in 2026
Uber drivers, DoorDash couriers, Instacart shoppers, and other gig economy workers have no employer coverage. Here are the best health insurance options.
Costs, Subsidies & the Cliff
What it costs, what help exists, and where the help stops.
Is Your Spouse's Work Plan Affordable? The 2027 Test Is 10.22%
If family coverage at work costs more than 10.22% of household income, your spouse and kids can get 2027 marketplace tax credits. How to run the test.
One Dollar Over This Line Costs a Family $14,469
The ACA subsidy cliff does not taper. At $63,840 single or $132,000 for a family of four, the premium tax credit stops completely — here is what that costs.
Why Is My ACA Quote So Expensive?
Got a $600+/month ACA quote and no subsidy? Here's why marketplace premiums are so high for middle and higher earners, how the subsidy cliff works.
Employer Health Insurance Cost 2026
Employer health insurance covers 165 million Americans, but the real cost varies dramatically by income and job type.
What Is a Health Insurance Premium? Everything You Need to Know
Your premium is the monthly amount you pay to keep your health insurance active, whether or not you use any medical services. Here is how premiums work.
10 Ways to Lower Your Health Insurance Premium in 2026
From ACA subsidies to HSA strategies, here are 10 actionable ways to reduce what you pay for health insurance in 2026.
Why a Silver Plan Is Often the Best Value for Low-Income Buyers
Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs) are only available on Silver plans and can dramatically lower deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for households earning.
The ACA Subsidy Cliff Explained for 2026
If your income goes slightly over 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, you could owe thousands at tax time. Here is how the ACA subsidy cliff works in 2026.
Marketplace vs Private Coverage
The comparison the exchange cannot show you.
ACA Marketplace vs. Private Health Insurance
Guaranteed-issue ACA marketplace plans vs. medically underwritten private coverage, who each one actually fits, the real trade-offs, and the questions to ask.
Is Private Health Insurance Legit?
Private non-ACA health insurance is a real, regulated market, and it also attracts junk products and boiler-room sales.
PPO Health Insurance Explained
PPO vs. HMO vs. EPO in plain English, what a network actually is, why the cheapest plan can be the most expensive mistake, and the 5-minute directory check.
What Does "Medically Underwritten" Mean in Health Insurance?
Medically underwritten means the insurer reviews your health history before approving and pricing your coverage.
Choosing a Plan
Metal tiers, deductibles, networks and the trade-offs between them.
Pre-Existing Condition? 5 Rules That Protect You in 2027
The marketplace must sell you a 2027 plan at the same price whatever your health history. The five rules, when you can buy, and what to check in each plan.
Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance 2027
Choosing between a Bronze and Silver ACA plan? The right answer depends on your income.
How to Pick a Health Insurance Plan During Open Enrollment
A step-by-step checklist for choosing the right health insurance plan during Open Enrollment. Compare plans the right way so you do not overpay or end up.
Life Events & Enrollment
Turning 26, losing a job, retiring early, going back to school.
Open Enrollment Opens Sunday: A 15-Minute 2027 Checklist
Open Enrollment for 2027 opens November 1. Six steps in fifteen minutes: renewal notice, doctors, income, worst-year cost, special cases, December 15.
Your Health Plan Is Ending: What to Do Before December 15
If your insurer says your plan ends December 31, choose a new one by December 15. The three letters, what to check and what happens if you do nothing.
Health Insurance for Early Retirees
Retiring before 65? Your options for the pre-Medicare gap: ACA plans with income-managed subsidies, COBRA, and private coverage.
Health Insurance for Healthy 20- and 30-Somethings
Healthy, under 40, and resenting a $400/month premium for coverage you never use?
Health Insurance for College Students in 2026: All Your Options
College students have several health insurance options in 2026, from staying on a parent's plan to student health plans to marketplace coverage. Here.
Health Insurance After Losing Your Job: Your Options in 2026
Losing a job is a qualifying life event that opens a 60-day window to enroll in a marketplace plan. Here are all your options for health coverage after.
2026 Health Insurance Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment for 2026 health insurance runs November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026. Here is everything you need to know about deadlines, plan.
Medicaid & Lower Incomes
Expansion status, the coverage gap, and options below the marketplace.
Health Insurance for Low-Wage Workers 2026
Only 44% of the lowest-wage workers have access to employer health benefits. For those who do, premiums can eat nearly 10% of earnings.
North Carolina Medicaid Expansion in 2026: Who Qualifies and How
North Carolina expanded Medicaid in December 2023. As of 2026, adults earning up to 138% FPL qualify for NC Medicaid. Here is who qualifies and how to apply.
Medicaid Expansion in 2026: Which States Have Expanded
As of 2026, 41 states plus DC have expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Here is a complete list of expansion and non-expansion states.
Florida Medicaid in 2026: Why the State Has Not Expanded
Florida is one of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Here is what that means for low-income adults in Florida seeking health coverage.
Other Guides
Everything else worth knowing.
Knocked Out a Tooth? Your Medical Plan May Pay, Not Dental
Dental work after an accident often runs through your medical plan, not your dental plan. What counts, the chewing exclusion, and the 12-month clock.
Mental Health Hospitalization Cost 2026
A mental health inpatient admission averages $15,900 total in 2023, with patients paying about $1,300 out of pocket.
Georgia Marketplace Health Insurance in 2026
Georgia is a non-Medicaid expansion state. Here is what Georgia residents need to know about marketplace plans, subsidies, and coverage options in 2026.
Texas Marketplace Health Insurance in 2026: What You Need to Know
Texas has more uninsured residents than any state. In 2026, hundreds of thousands of Texans qualify for subsidized marketplace plans they may not know.
Bronze vs Silver by State
Which metal tier actually costs less once subsidies are applied, state by state. 21 guides
Show all 21 states
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Alabama
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Arkansas
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Colorado
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Florida
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Georgia
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Illinois
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Indiana
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Kansas
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Maryland
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Michigan
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Nebraska
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Nevada
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in North Carolina
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Ohio
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Oklahoma
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in South Carolina
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in South Dakota
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Texas
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Utah
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Virginia
- Bronze vs. Silver Health Insurance in Wisconsin