Open Enrollment: Nov 1 to Jan 15
Health insurance, Federally Facilitated Marketplace, made simple.
Compare ACA plans in all 27 Federally Facilitated Marketplace states, see what you can save and enroll with a bilingual agent.
What is ACA health insurance?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also called Obamacare, created the Health Insurance Marketplace: private health plans you buy for yourself or your family when you don't get coverage through a job. In the 27 Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) states, the Marketplace runs on HealthCare.gov.
Every plan covers the same core benefits, and many people qualify for savings that lower the monthly cost. We help you sort through the options in your county.
How does getting a Marketplace plan work?
- 1
Tell us about you
Your ZIP code, who needs coverage and your expected income for the year.
- 2
We compare plans
Premiums, deductibles, doctors and medicines, side by side, plus any savings you qualify for.
- 3
You pick and enroll
Choose the plan that fits your budget and your doctors. We help you finish the application.
- 4
Your coverage starts
Pay your first premium and your plan is active. Your agent stays with you all year.
Which states use the Federally Facilitated Marketplace?
For 2027, 27 states use the Federally Facilitated Marketplace, and you enroll at HealthCare.gov. Arkansas and Oklahoma run their own Marketplaces but also use HealthCare.gov. The other states and DC run their own enrollment websites.
Federally Facilitated Marketplace (27) State-run, uses HealthCare.gov (2) State-run Marketplace (22)
Federally Facilitated Marketplace states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Source: CMS, States by Marketplace type for plan year 2027. As of October 2026.
Health insurance terms, in plain English
Four numbers decide what a plan really costs you: the premium, the deductible, what you pay per visit and your yearly limit.
- Premium
- What you pay every month to keep your plan, even if you don't use it.
- Deductible
- What you pay for covered care before your plan starts to pay. Many preventive services are covered before you meet it.
- Copay
- A set amount you pay for a visit or a prescription.
- Coinsurance
- Your share of the cost after you meet your deductible, shown as a percentage, like 20%.
- Out-of-pocket max
- The most you'll pay for covered care in a plan year. After that, your plan pays 100% of covered services.
- Network
- The doctors, hospitals and pharmacies your plan works with. Staying in network usually costs less.
When can you enroll on HealthCare.gov?
You can sign up for a Marketplace plan once a year during Open Enrollment. Here are the dates for 2027 coverage.
Nov 1
Open Enrollment starts for 2027 plans
Dec 15
Enroll by this day for coverage starting Jan 1
Jan 15
Last day to enroll; coverage starts Feb 1
Source: HealthCare.gov, Dates and deadlines. As of 2026.
Missed it? You may still qualify.
Certain life events open a Special Enrollment Period. You usually have 60 days from the event to sign up.
- Losing other coverage. Like a job-based plan or Medicaid.
- Moving. To a new county or a new state.
- Getting married. Your new household can enroll together.
- Having a baby or adopting. Coverage can start the day of the birth or adoption.
Source: HealthCare.gov, Special Enrollment Period. As of 2026.
What ACA plans cover
Every Marketplace plan covers 10 essential health benefits, no matter which company or category you choose.
Preventive care
Checkups, screenings and many shots are covered with no copay or coinsurance when you see an in-network provider, even before you meet your deductible.
Doctor visits
Primary care, specialists and outpatient care you get without staying in the hospital.
Emergency care
Emergency room care, including at hospitals outside your plan's network.
Hospital stays
Surgery and overnight care when you're admitted to the hospital.
Prescription drugs
Each plan has its own list of covered medicines, so check yours before you choose.
Mental health
Behavioral health and substance use care, including counseling and therapy.
Pregnancy and newborns
Care before and after your baby is born, plus care for your newborn.
Lab tests
Blood work and other lab services your doctor orders.
Rehab and devices
Therapy and equipment that help you recover or build skills after an injury or illness.
Kids' dental and vision
Dental and vision care for children.
Pre-existing conditions
Plans can't turn you down or charge you more for a health condition you already have.
Source: HealthCare.gov, What Marketplace plans cover. As of 2026.
Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum?
Plans are grouped by how you and the plan split the cost of care. The category says nothing about the quality of care.
| Plan category | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan's average share of costs | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
| Monthly premium | Low | Moderate | High | Highest |
| Costs when you get care | Very high | Moderate | Low | Lowest |
| 10 essential health benefits | ||||
| Free preventive care in network | ||||
| Extra savings on deductibles and copays if you qualify |
Under 30, or have a hardship exemption? You may also be able to buy a Catastrophic plan, with low premiums and a very high deductible.
Source: HealthCare.gov, Health plan categories. As of 2026.
2027 savings estimator
See what you could pay in 2027
Enter your ZIP code, household and expected income. We use the official 2027 IRS and CMS rules to show which savings you likely qualify for, then pull real 2027 plan prices for your county from HealthSherpa.
Count yourself, your spouse and anyone you'll claim as a dependent, even if they don't need coverage. Use your expected adjusted gross income for 2027. Leave an age blank for anyone who doesn't need coverage. To show prices, we send your ZIP code, ages and income to HealthSherpa, our Marketplace enrollment partner. We don't ask for your name or contact information here.
Enter your income to see your estimate
Your estimate updates as you type. Add your ZIP code and ages to see real 2027 prices.
Orange shows your income as a share of the federal poverty level. Tax credits: 100% to 400%. Extra Silver savings: 100% to 250%.
0%
of the federal poverty level
$0
0%
Silver plan's average share with your extra savings
$0
$0
Your monthly tax credit, from real 2027 prices
0
Marketplace plans you can choose from
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Plans that cost $0 a month after your credit
The lowest price in each category
Prices from HealthSherpa for coverage starting {date}, for people who don't use tobacco. Your final price and savings come from your Marketplace application.
- These are estimates. Your exact savings come from your Marketplace application.
- Estimate income carefully. If you earn more than you expected, you now have to pay back all of the extra tax credit when you file your taxes.
- Job-based coverage matters. If an employer offers you affordable coverage, you usually can't get a tax credit.
- Immigration status rules changed. Starting in 2027, fewer statuses qualify for tax credits. An agent can check yours.
How the four categories compare
Each category's percentage is an average across everyone in a plan for a whole year. It isn't the share you pay on each bill, and it doesn't include your premium.
Silver plan
Members pay about 30% Plan pays about 70%
Moderate
Monthly premium
Moderate
Deductible, generally
Whatever the category, once you reach your out-of-pocket max, the plan pays 100% of covered in-network care for the rest of the year.
What you actually pay during the year
- 1Your premium, every month, whether you use care or not.
- 2Before your deductible, you pay the plan's rate for most care. In-network preventive care is free.
- 3After your deductible, you pay copays or coinsurance and the plan pays the rest.
- 4Once you reach your out-of-pocket max, the plan pays 100% of covered in-network care for the rest of the year. For 2027 that max can't be more than $12,000 for one person or $24,000 for a family, and it's lower with extra Silver savings.
Sources: IRS Rev. Proc. 2026-26 (2027 applicable percentages); HHS 2026 poverty guidelines; KFF, State Medicaid expansion decisions; CMS 2027 cost-sharing limits; HealthCare.gov, Health plan categories. As of October 2026.
What affects the cost of Marketplace health insurance
Under the ACA, insurers can only base your premium on a few things. Your health isn't one of them.
Age
Premiums can go up with age, but older adults can't be charged more than 3 times what younger adults pay.
Where you live
Plans and prices vary by county, so your ZIP code matters.
Tobacco use
Insurers can charge people who use tobacco up to 50% more.
Who's on the plan
Covering just you costs less than covering your spouse or your kids too.
Plan category
Bronze premiums are lower than Platinum premiums, but you pay more when you get care.
Your income
Income doesn't change the price of a plan, but it decides how much financial help you can get.
Source: HealthCare.gov, How insurance companies set premiums. As of 2026.
How Estrella helps
We do the shopping. You make the call.
Our agents compare the Marketplace plans in your county, check what savings you qualify for and explain everything in English or Spanish.
- 1Tell us about your household and income
- 2Compare plans, doctors and savings side by side
- 3Enroll with your agent, online or in person
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Federal Marketplace health insurance FAQs
When is Open Enrollment on HealthCare.gov?
Open Enrollment for 2027 plans runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. If you enroll after that, coverage usually starts February 1.
What is the Federally Facilitated Marketplace?
It's the Health Insurance Marketplace the federal government runs for states that don't run their own. You shop and enroll at HealthCare.gov. For 2027, the Federally Facilitated Marketplace states are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Arkansas and Oklahoma run their own Marketplaces but also use HealthCare.gov.
How do I apply for Obamacare in a Federally Facilitated Marketplace state?
You apply through HealthCare.gov. You can apply there yourself, or an Estrella agent can walk you through the application, compare plans with you and help you enroll, in English or Spanish.
Who can get an ACA Marketplace plan?
You generally need to live in the state where you apply, be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present, and not be in prison. People who already have Medicare usually aren't eligible for a Marketplace plan.
Can I get help paying for my premium?
Maybe. Premium tax credits can lower your monthly payment based on your household size and expected income. For 2027, they're available for household incomes from 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level. If you qualify, Silver plans can also lower your deductible and copays. Savings rules can change from year to year, so it's smart to update your application every Open Enrollment.
Can I be turned down because of a pre-existing condition?
No. Marketplace plans can't refuse to cover you or charge you more because of a health condition you already have, and they cover treatment for it from the day your coverage starts.
What if I miss Open Enrollment?
You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period after certain life events, like losing other coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby. You usually have 60 days from the event to enroll.
What's the difference between Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum?
It's how you and the plan split the cost of care, not the quality of care. Averaged across everyone in a plan, Bronze plans pay about 60% of covered costs, Silver 70%, Gold 80% and Platinum 90%. What you pay depends on the care you use, and premiums are separate. Lower categories have lower premiums and higher costs when you get care.
What do I need to apply?
Have Social Security numbers for everyone applying, an estimate of your household income for the year, immigration documents if they apply, and information about any health coverage you can get through a job.
Does it cost anything to get a quote?
No. Getting a quote and comparing plans with an Estrella agent is free.
Can I change my coverage by text or email?
No. You can't bind, alter or change coverage by voicemail, email or text. Call or visit your agent.
Ready to get covered?
Open Enrollment runs November 1 to January 15. Get your free quote in minutes.
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