Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act Marketplace opened on Nov. 1, beginning an 11-week period when people can purchase health coverage through the program, also known as Obamacare.
People with a household income at or below a certain level may qualify for reduced premiums thanks to a subsidy from the federal government in the form of a tax credit.
Here’s what to know about finding health coverage.
Deadlines: Dec. 15 and Jan. 15
Enrollment is open now through Jan. 15 in most states, but those looking to have coverage starting on the first of the year must enroll by Dec. 15.
After the open enrollment period ends, sign-up is available only after a qualifying life event, such as loss of insurance, job change, marriage, divorce, and birth of a child.
More than 24 million people were enrolled in Marketplace plans in 2025, according to health care research group KFF.
Lower Income Households Qualify for a Subsidy
Households with income in a certain range qualify for tax credits that reduce their premium payments for Marketplace plans.
People in households earning between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for this subsidy. Those earning less qualify for Medicaid.
The federal poverty level is based on household size and is adjusted annually. The level for 2025 is used to determine coverage for 2026. A family of four earning up to $128,600 would be eligible for a premium tax credit in 2026.
Prospective buyers can find out whether they qualify for a premium tax credit at Healthcare.gov before enrolling.
Rates Remain Low for Most
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded the premium tax credits to include people with higher incomes and to provide additional help for some households that already received subsidies. Those “enhanced” premium tax credits expire at the end of 2025.
Insurers are raising the premiums for their benchmark plans in the Marketplace by an average of 26 percent, and some customers could see out-of-pocket premium increases of more than 100 percent, according to KFF.
The benchmark plan, generally called the silver plan, is the middle of three options.
However, premiums will remain low for most customers and decrease for some, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Premium tax credits are expected to cover 91 percent of the cost for the lowest-priced plan in 2026, usually called the bronze plan. That’s more than the 85 percent covered in 2020, before the enhanced premiums were temporarily authorized.
In 2026, the average enrollee will pay $50 per month for health coverage after the premium tax credit is applied. That’s an increase of about $13 over 2025, but it’s lower than the 2020 amount.
About 60 percent of enrollees will be able to buy their chosen plan for $50 per month after the subsidies are applied, according to the government’s estimate.
For comparison, employer-sponsored health insurance premiums averaged nearly $2,250 per month in 2025, and employees paid about $570 per month toward that amount.
Enrollment Open During Shutdown
During the government shutdown, people who have a 2025 health insurance plan should continue to use their plan and providers, according to the Marketplace website, and those who don’t have a Marketplace plan can use the site to apply.
The enhanced premium tax credits have been a key issue in the government shutdown, which began on Oct. 1. There is speculation that those enhanced subsidies could be extended for at least one more year.
Democrats have proposed making those credits permanent, but Republicans say that would require significant changes to root out abuse of the system, which cannot be negotiated during the shutdown.
About 6.1 million people were enrolled in fully subsidized plans but did not qualify for them based on income, costing taxpayers about $27 billion, according to health policy think tank Paragon Health Institute.
Insurance experts recommend that people not wait for the enhanced subsidy debate to be resolved before enrolling. If the subsidies are extended, they’ll have a chance to revise their plan selections.
Where to Begin
Enrollment is available through the Marketplace website. Some states operate their own insurance Marketplace, and others use the Marketplace run by the federal government. The Marketplace website is a reliable place to locate any state’s Marketplace or to begin enrollment using the federal Marketplace.
Insurance experts advise enrollees to consider factors other than the premium when choosing coverage. Those include the deductibles and copayments required, whether preferred doctors are in the insurer’s network, and which prescription drugs are covered.
Get Help If Needed
Customers who need help navigating the enrollment process or have questions have two options, both of which are available through the Marketplace website.
The first is to connect with an assister by email or telephone. Assisters are trained and certified by the Marketplace to help people enroll in a Marketplace health plan or apply for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Assisters are available free of charge and are required to provide impartial, accurate information.
The second option is to request a contact from an insurance agent or broker who is trained and certified to sell Marketplace health plans. An agent or broker can answer questions and help people enroll in one of the plans they sell. When using an agent or broker, enrollees can still get the premium tax credit if they qualify.
Agents and brokers may not represent all plans available through the Marketplace, however, and they cannot help with enrollment in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Additionally, agents and brokers are paid by the insurance companies they represent.
Most people who have employer-based health insurance probably won’t qualify for a premium tax credit with a Marketplace plan, according to the Marketplace website.
However, there’s no penalty for applying, and those who do not qualify can keep their employer-based insurance.
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