By Dale Murray, Agency Principal, Liberty Ridge Group · October 2026
Open enrollment for 2027 ACA Marketplace health plans starts November 1, 2026. If you buy your own health insurance in Tennessee, Georgia or North Carolina, this is not the year to let your plan auto-renew. Premiums are going up, the extra federal help many families had is gone, and some plans are changing. Here's what you need to know, and how to avoid surprises.
Tennessee and North Carolina residents enroll through HealthCare.gov. Georgia residents use Georgia Access, the state's own marketplace, which has the same November 1 to January 15 window.
After January 15, you can only sign up or switch plans if you have a qualifying life event, like losing other coverage, getting married, having a baby or moving.
You may have heard that open enrollment would be shorter this year. For 2027 coverage, HealthCare.gov still lists January 15 as the last day to enroll.
Premiums are rising. Insurers across the country have asked for sizable increases for 2027, with a median proposed increase of about 15%. In Tennessee, approved increases average about 16%, and in Georgia about 21%. Your exact price depends on your plan, age and county.
The extra premium tax credits have ended. The enhanced subsidies that started in 2021 expired at the end of 2025 and have not been renewed. That brings back the "subsidy cliff": households earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level no longer qualify for any premium help, and many people below that line now pay a larger share of their premium.
Out-of-pocket maximums are higher. For 2027, the most an individual can pay out of pocket for covered care in a Marketplace plan is $12,000, up from $10,600 in 2026.
Some plans are going away. Cigna is leaving the Marketplace in Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina for 2027. If your plan is ending, you'll get a notice, and you'll need to choose a new one during open enrollment.
If you do nothing, you may be re-enrolled in the same or a similar plan. That sounds easy, but it can cost you:
Yes. Depending on your household income and state, you may still qualify for a premium tax credit, lower deductibles and copays on Silver plans, or Medicaid. The rules are different in each state, and small changes in income can make a big difference, so it's worth having someone run the numbers with you.
We're a local, licensed agency based in Benton, Tennessee, and we help families across Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina compare Marketplace plans every year. Using a licensed agent doesn't change what you pay for your plan. We'll:
Get your free 2027 quote in as little as 15 minutes, or call us at (423) 572-0523.
When is open enrollment for 2027 health insurance?
November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027 for HealthCare.gov states, including Tennessee and North Carolina, and for Georgia Access.
What's the deadline for coverage starting January 1?
December 15, 2026.
Can I sign up after January 15?
Only if you have a qualifying life event, such as losing job-based coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby.
Does it cost more to use an insurance agent?
No. Marketplace plan prices are the same whether you enroll on your own or with a licensed agent.
This article is for general information and isn't tax or legal advice. Dates and rules are from HealthCare.gov and current as of October 2026.
Get a free quote in as little as 15 minutes, or call us to review your options before the January 15 deadline.