Open enrollment for 2027 Affordable Care Act coverage commenced on Nov. 1, with the federal marketplace and participating states beginning the process to allow consumers to select health plans. The enrollment period extends through Jan. 15 in most states, though several states including Idaho, Connecticut, and Massachusetts launched earlier. Idaho, Connecticut, and Massachusetts started earlier, and some states had previously enabled advance price browsing.
Enrollment is projected to decline overall, primarily due to the end of enhanced federal subsidies at the close of 2025, which policy analysts indicate prompted millions of individuals to discontinue or lose coverage during the opening months of this year. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented several substantial modifications to the enrollment process aimed at preventing improper sign-ups and fraudulent activity. These changes include new authorization requirements for consumers working with agents or brokers on the federal marketplace, which covers 29 states, along with enhanced identity verification for enrollees classified as high-risk, such as first-time applicants or those changing states or switching agents.
The agency introduced a temporary ban on newly registered brokers and agents from assisting with enrollments for 2027 coverage until at least February, extending past the standard open enrollment window. CMS indicated this restriction was implemented because a disproportionate share of compliance violations in 2026 involved recently registered agents. The agency also removed hundreds of non-compliant agents and brokers throughout the year. These modifications apply exclusively to the federal marketplace and do not affect state-based insurance exchanges.
Insurance agents and brokers expressed both support and concern regarding the new requirements. While some acknowledged the intent behind anti-fraud measures, others cautioned that the restrictions could create obstacles for legitimate consumers and disadvantage smaller agencies unable to recruit experienced staff during the enrollment season. Experts noted potential challenges for certain populations, including those without established credit histories or with updated personal information, who may face additional hurdles completing the verification process.
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