Open enrollment for 2027 Marketplace coverage starts November 1, and the people who have the easiest time are the ones who gathered their paperwork first. This ACA open enrollment checklist covers everything you will be asked for on HealthCare.gov, which is the Marketplace Florida uses, plus a few things that are not on the application but matter a great deal when you pick a plan.
Set aside some time this week. By the time the window opens, you will be ready to compare plans instead of hunting for a tax return.
Key Dates to Keep in Mind
- November 1, 2026: open enrollment for 2027 coverage begins
- December 15, 2026: enroll by this date for coverage starting January 1
- January 15, 2027: last day of open enrollment; enrolling between December 16 and January 15 means coverage starts February 1
After January 15, you generally need a Special Enrollment Period tied to a qualifying life event, usually within 60 days of that event.
1. Personal Information for Everyone on the Application
You will need basic details for each person in your tax household, including anyone you claim as a dependent, even if they are not applying for coverage:
- Full legal names and dates of birth
- Social Security numbers for those who have them
- Immigration document information for lawfully present immigrants applying for coverage
- Your mailing address and home address, if they differ
If someone in the household already has coverage through a job, Medicare or Medicaid, note that too. It affects who can get financial help.
2. Your 2027 Income Estimate
This is the item people most often rush, and it matters the most. Premium tax credits are based on your estimated household income for 2027, not what you made last year.
Gather what helps you make a realistic estimate:
- Your most recent federal tax return
- Recent pay stubs for everyone in the household who works
- For self-employed people, a profit and loss summary or your best projection of net income
- Any other income, such as Social Security, unemployment, alimony received, rental income or retirement distributions
A note on subsidies. The enhanced premium tax credits that applied in recent years expired at the end of 2025. Under current law, for 2027 coverage, subsidies are generally available to households between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, and above 400% there is no subsidy. Congress has debated an extension, but as of this writing it has not passed. That makes your income estimate even more important this year, so confirm your numbers carefully when you apply.
Credits are reconciled when you file your taxes. If your estimate is off, you could owe some of the credit back or receive more, so it is worth updating the Marketplace during the year if your income changes.
3. Employer Coverage Information, If Anyone Has an Offer
If you or a family member can get health insurance through a job, even if you are not enrolled in it, the application will ask about it. Ask the employer, or check your benefits portal, for:
- Whether coverage is offered to the employee and to family members
- The employee’s share of the premium for the lowest-cost plan offered
- Whether the plan meets minimum value standards
An affordable employer offer can affect eligibility for Marketplace financial help, so have this ready before you start.
4. Your Current Plan Details
If you already have a Marketplace plan, find your current plan name and member ID, and look for the renewal notice your plan or the Marketplace sends in the fall. Plans renew automatically if you do nothing, but next year’s version might have a different premium, network or drug list. Knowing what you have now makes it easier to tell whether staying still makes sense.
5. Your Doctors and Hospitals
This part is not on the application, but it shapes the decision. Write down:
- Your primary care doctor and any specialists
- The hospital you would want to use
- Any planned surgeries, pregnancy care or ongoing treatment
Networks differ a lot between plans in South Florida. Some plans use narrower networks to keep premiums lower. Check each plan’s provider directory for 2027 before you choose, and call the doctor’s office to confirm when it really matters.
6. Your Prescriptions
List every medication by exact name and dosage, plus how often you fill it. Each plan has its own drug list, and the same medication can sit on different tiers in different plans. Checking your list against each plan’s formulary is one of the most reliable ways to avoid a surprise at the pharmacy in January.
7. A Rough Sense of How You Use Care
Think about last year. Did you mostly have checkups, or were there specialist visits, imaging, physical therapy or an emergency room trip? Someone who rarely sees a doctor might lean toward a different deductible level than someone managing a chronic condition. Neither choice is wrong. It just helps to know which kind of year you expect.
8. A Login You Can Actually Get Into
If you have a HealthCare.gov account, make sure you remember the username and password before November 1. Resetting credentials during the busiest weeks can eat up time you would rather spend comparing plans. If you are working with a broker, they can help you through the application as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does ACA open enrollment for 2027 coverage start and end?
Open enrollment on HealthCare.gov runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. Enrolling between December 16 and January 15 means coverage starts February 1.
What documents do I need for ACA open enrollment?
Have names, dates of birth and Social Security numbers for your household, immigration documents if they apply, recent tax returns and pay stubs for your income estimate, information about any job-based coverage offer, and your current plan details if you have one.
Why does my income estimate matter so much this year?
Premium tax credits are based on your estimated 2027 household income. The enhanced credits expired at the end of 2025, and under current law, subsidies are generally available between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, so an accurate estimate affects whether and how much financial help you receive.
What happens if my income changes after I enroll?
Report the change to the Marketplace. Premium tax credits are reconciled on your tax return, so an outdated estimate can mean owing some of the credit back or receiving more when you file.
Do I need to gather anything if my plan renews automatically?
Yes. Automatic renewal keeps you enrolled, but the plan’s premium, network or drug list may change for 2027. Reviewing your income estimate, doctors and prescriptions helps you decide whether staying is still the right fit.
Ready When the Window Opens
With this checklist done, enrollment goes much faster. If you would like a licensed agent to help you compare 2027 plans or check your income estimate, call Maher Insurance Group at (855) 238-7947, or start with our short online questionnaire. You can also read more about how ACA Marketplace coverage works with us.
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