This year, the average Marketplace deductible jumped 37%, to $3,786. And for 2027, insurers asked for a median premium increase of 15%. (KFF)
If you spent years on your ex's employer plan, open enrollment probably meant initialing a form he brought home. Now the decision is yours. So is the bill.
That can feel heavy, especially in a year when prices are climbing and the rules just changed. But choosing a health plan is a skill, not a mystery. Once you know which numbers matter, you can stop guessing and start comparing.
Here's what's different for 2027, and how to pick a plan that protects your kids and your budget.
Key Takeaways
- HealthCare.gov open enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
- The enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, so the 400% of poverty "subsidy cliff" is back.
- Your household size and income likely changed with the divorce. That can raise or lower your savings, so update your application instead of auto-renewing.
- Compare plans by total yearly cost (premiums plus what you'd actually pay for care), not just the monthly price.
- Your kids may qualify for Medicaid or CHIP even if you don't, and you can apply any time of year.
The 2027 Dates You Can't Miss
On HealthCare.gov, open enrollment for 2027 coverage begins November 1, 2026 and ends January 15, 2027, according to a CMS statement.
- Enroll by December 15 if you want coverage to start January 1.
- Enroll December 16 to January 15 and coverage starts February 1.
If your state runs its own exchange, deadlines may differ, some earlier and some later. Check your state's site.
Why 2027 Costs More (and What the "Cliff" Means for You)
From 2021 through 2025, enhanced tax credits made Marketplace coverage cheaper for most people and extended help to middle-income families. Those credits expired at the end of 2025. In 2026, the average monthly premium people actually paid rose from $113 to $178.
For 2027, prices are still climbing. KFF reviewed filings from 276 insurers and found a median proposed increase of 15%, the second year in a row of double-digit hikes.
Median proposed Marketplace premium increase, by coverage year
The subsidy cliff is back
Under the original rules now in effect again, premium tax credits are generally available only if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Earn one dollar over 400%, and you get no help at all.
For 2027 coverage, the Marketplace uses the 2026 poverty guidelines. Here's roughly where the cliff sits in the 48 contiguous states:
| Household size | 100% of poverty (2026) | 400% "cliff" |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (just you) | $15,960 | $63,840 |
| 2 (you + 1 child) | $21,640 | $86,560 |
| 3 (you + 2 kids) | $27,320 | $109,280 |
| 4 (you + 3 kids) | $33,000 | $132,000 |
If you're close to that line, small moves matter. Contributions to a pre-tax retirement account or HSA can lower the income the Marketplace counts.
How Divorce Changes Your Household and Your Savings
The Marketplace doesn't care who lives in your house as much as who's on your tax return. Your household is usually you plus anyone you'll claim as a tax dependent for 2027. A former spouse never counts, even if you still share an address.
That matters with shared custody. You generally include a child in the years you claim them. If your decree says your ex claims your son in odd years, he may not be in your Marketplace household for 2027. That changes both your household size and where the cliff falls.
Your income probably changed too. Use your best estimate of 2027 income, including alimony from a divorce finalized before 2019 (which is still taxable), wages, and side income. Child support doesn't count. If you're unsure who claims whom, our guide to taxes after divorce walks through it.
Free: The Emergency Budget Reset
Before you choose a premium, know what your budget can actually carry. These five money moves help you find that number.
Get the Free Guide →Employer Plan vs. Marketplace vs. COBRA
You may have more than one option. If you're still sorting out what coverage you had and when it ends, start with Health Insurance After Divorce. Then use this side-by-side to compare.
| Option | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Your own employer plan | Moms whose job offers affordable coverage. Losing coverage under your ex's plan usually lets you join mid-year (generally within 30 days). | If your employer's plan counts as affordable, you usually can't get Marketplace tax credits instead. |
| Marketplace (HealthCare.gov or state exchange) | Self-employed, part-time, or no employer plan. Income under 400% of poverty may mean tax credits. | No help above the cliff. Lower premiums often mean much higher deductibles. |
| COBRA (your ex's employer plan) | Mid-treatment, or you want to keep the same doctors and deductible progress. Up to 36 months after divorce. | You may pay up to 102% of the full premium. You must notify the plan within 60 days of the divorce. |
| Medicaid / CHIP | Lower incomes, and kids whose parents earn too much for Medicaid themselves. | Rules and income limits vary by state. Renew on time so coverage doesn't lapse. |
Read the Metal Tiers Like a Pro
Marketplace plans come in metal tiers based on how costs are split, on average, between you and the plan.
- Bronze: plan pays about 60%. Lowest premium, highest costs when you need care.
- Silver: plan pays about 70%. The only tier with extra "cost-sharing reductions" if your income is low enough. Those can shrink your deductible dramatically.
- Gold: plan pays about 80%. Higher premium, lower costs per visit.
- Platinum: plan pays about 90%. Not offered everywhere.
Bronze can be smart if everyone is healthy. It can be painful if your daughter breaks her arm in March.
Think in Total Cost, Not Monthly Cost
The cheapest premium is not always the cheapest plan. For each option, run three numbers:
- Yearly premium: monthly premium after any tax credit, times 12.
- Expected care costs: regular prescriptions, therapy visits, your son's allergist. Estimate what you'd pay under that plan's copays and deductible.
- Worst case: yearly premium plus the out-of-pocket maximum.
The highest out-of-pocket maximum allowed for one person in 2027 ($24,000 for a family), up from $10,600 and $21,200 in 2026.
Many plans set their limits lower than that. Look for each plan's own out-of-pocket max and ask: could I survive that number in a bad year? If not, a slightly higher premium with a lower ceiling may be the safer choice.
Before you pick, check that your kids' pediatrician and any regular prescriptions are covered. HealthCare.gov lets you search for both while you shop.
Don't Overlook Medicaid and CHIP for Your Kids
Children often qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program at higher incomes than adults. Each state sets its own limits, and you can apply any time of year. CHIP costs are capped at 5% of family income.
When you fill out your Marketplace application, it will flag whether your children look eligible. If they are, you might only need a plan for yourself, which could change which tier makes sense.
You are doing hard, faithful work here. "Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14), including filling out a health insurance form at the kitchen table after bedtime.
Always forward, never backward.
Financial Clarity Reset™
Health insurance is one piece of a bigger picture that now belongs to you: your budget, your debt, your credit, your coverage. Financial Clarity Reset™ helps you build a complete money plan for your new life, so decisions like this one feel steady instead of scary.
Build Your Money Plan →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get health insurance outside open enrollment after divorce?
Yes, if the divorce caused you to lose coverage. You get a 60-day Special Enrollment Period before or after the loss. Divorce without losing coverage does not qualify on its own.
When is open enrollment for 2027 health insurance?
On HealthCare.gov, November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. State-run exchanges may have different deadlines.
Does child support count as income for Marketplace subsidies?
No. Child support you receive is not counted. Alimony from divorces finalized before 2019 generally is, along with wages and self-employment income.
Who puts the kids on their Marketplace application after divorce?
Generally the parent who claims them as tax dependents for that year. If you alternate years, your household size may change from year to year.
Is COBRA cheaper than a Marketplace plan?
Usually not, since you may pay up to 102% of the full premium. But it can make sense if you're mid-treatment or have already met your deductible. Compare total yearly cost before deciding.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, financial, or insurance advice. Health plan rules, deadlines, and prices vary by state and can change. Confirm details with HealthCare.gov, your state exchange, a licensed navigator or agent, or a tax professional before making decisions.