Enrollment opens for 2027 coverage
Marylanders shopping for individual health insurance can begin selecting 2027 coverage Sunday through Maryland Health Connection, as residents confront higher projected costs and changes to federal assistance. The state’s open enrollment window runs from Nov. 1 through Jan. 15, giving consumers several weeks to review available plans, compare estimated prices and determine whether they qualify for help paying monthly premiums.
The date a person completes enrollment will affect when coverage starts. Residents who sign up by Dec. 31 may have insurance beginning Jan. 1. Those who enroll between Jan. 1 and Jan. 15 may have coverage beginning Feb. 1. Marylanders should review those deadlines carefully when planning a switch in coverage or seeking insurance for the first time.
Average rate increase approved
The Maryland Insurance Administration has approved an average 14.6% increase for unsubsidized individual Affordable Care Act plans in 2027. The figure applies to plans purchased without financial assistance, but it does not mean every consumer will receive a bill that is exactly 14.6% higher. Actual costs can differ depending on the plan selected and a household’s circumstances.
State regulators cited several forces behind the increase. Enhanced federal tax credits are expiring, federal changes are affecting who qualifies for marketplace coverage, and hospitals and prescription drugs are becoming more expensive. Together, those factors are contributing to pressure on premiums for individual coverage in Maryland.
| Enrollment timing | Potential coverage start |
|---|---|
| By Dec. 31 | Jan. 1 |
| Jan. 1 through Jan. 15 | Feb. 1 |
Why the average does not tell every consumer’s story
The approved increase is an average for a particular group: people buying individual Affordable Care Act plans without subsidies. It should not be read as a universal price change for all Maryland residents. Premiums may vary based on the coverage option a person chooses, while financial assistance may reduce what an eligible household actually pays each month.
Maryland Health Connection allows residents to preview available 2027 plans and estimated costs before they commit to enrollment. That comparison step is especially important in a year when the overall market is facing higher expenses and changes in the federal assistance structure. Looking at the estimated price for a specific household can provide a more useful picture than relying on the statewide average alone.
Some households may qualify for state assistance
Maryland residents with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for the state’s Premium Assistance Program for 2027. Eligibility and the amount of aid are not identical for every applicant. The assistance calculation varies according to income, family size and ZIP code.
That means consumers who see rising headline rates should still check whether they qualify for help. A plan’s unsubsidized price and the amount a particular household pays after assistance may be substantially different. Maryland Health Connection’s preview tools are intended to help residents estimate those costs before making a selection.
What residents should check before enrolling
People considering coverage can use the enrollment period to examine their options rather than waiting until the final days. Several details will shape the decision:
- Coverage date: Enrolling by Dec. 31 may allow coverage to begin Jan. 1, while later enrollment during the window may lead to a Feb. 1 start.
- Financial assistance: Eligibility for state help depends on household information, including income and family size.
- Plan estimates: Maryland Health Connection provides a way to preview 2027 plans and projected costs before enrollment.
- Eligibility category: People who qualify for Medicaid or the Maryland Children’s Health Program do not have to wait for the annual open enrollment period.
Medicaid and children’s coverage remain available year-round
Marylanders who qualify for Medicaid or the Maryland Children’s Health Program can enroll throughout the year. Those programs follow a different enrollment schedule from the annual marketplace period, so eligible residents do not need to wait until the next open enrollment window to apply.
For households uncertain about which program applies to them, reviewing eligibility through Maryland Health Connection can help clarify the available path. The state’s coverage options include marketplace plans as well as public programs for people who meet the applicable requirements.
Deadlines will matter as costs change
The 2027 enrollment period arrives at a time when Maryland’s individual insurance market is being shaped by both medical costs and policy changes. The expiration of enhanced federal tax credits and adjustments to marketplace eligibility may affect the assistance available to some consumers, while higher hospital and prescription drug costs are contributing to premium increases.
Residents should therefore focus on their own estimated price and eligibility rather than assuming the statewide rate figure predicts their final bill. Maryland Health Connection is the place to preview 2027 plans, review projected costs and complete enrollment before the applicable deadline. The open enrollment period ends Jan. 15, and the timing of an application will determine whether coverage can begin Jan. 1 or Feb. 1.
