ACA Premiums Are Set To Rise Again in 2027. What Can You Do To Keep Your Monthly Cost Down?
For many Americans, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is not living up to its name. Health insurance premiums in the program are expected to rise again in 2027, after a steep increase in 2026.
To help keep premiums down, consumers can check their eligibility for subsidies, adjust coverage levels or shop for different plans. Beyond that, contributions to a health savings account, for those who are eligible, may also be a way to manage expenses.
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Starting Nov. 1, consumers will have an opportunity to review their options before the new rates take effect. MoneyLion lists some ways you can keep your monthly costs down in the face of this hike.
Check Whether You’re Eligible for a Subsidy
The best way to reduce ACA premiums is to qualify for premium tax credits.
Affordability for the ACA program took a big hit when the enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. The original income-based subsidies, however, remain available to eligible households.
These subsidies are based on a combination of your income, household size and local insurance costs. While many Americans still qualify, higher-income households may find that they don’t qualify for assistance.
To verify your eligibility for subsidies, you can update your projected 2027 household income when you apply for coverage. Savings are based on your expected income in the coming year, not what you earned previously, according to HealthCare.gov.
Shop Around Instead of Renewing Automatically
If you were enrolled in a marketplace health plan in 2026, you’ll automatically be renewed into the same plan in 2027 unless you make your own changes. Rather than simply taking what you are given, shop around to see if you can snag a better price with a different plan.
An August 2026 analysis from KFF shows that marketplace insurers are proposing a median premium increase of 15% for 2027. Coming on the heels of a median finalized increase of 20% for 2026, that's two consecutive years of double-digit premium hikes. That’s why automatically keeping your insurance for another year, while convenient, may not be the most cost-effective option.
Insurance companies can change their premiums, provider networks and benefits from year to year, meaning a competing insurer might offer similar coverage for less money, even if your current plan has served you well.
Consider Switching to a Bronze Plan, With Caveats
HealthCare.gov notes that bronze plans generally have lower premiums than silver or gold plans. The trade-off is that you will likely have a higher deductible and pay more out of your own pocket if you need medical care.
If you’re relatively healthy and rarely visit a doctor, this might be a viable option. This is particularly true if you have enough savings to cover unexpected medical bills.
Certain cost-sharing reductions are only available in a silver plan, so it still pays to comparison-shop. Eligible silver plans, for example, can reduce deductibles and copayments to the point that their higher monthly cost is still worth it.
See If You’re Eligible for a Health Savings Account
A health savings account (HSA) can help lower your overall health care costs through tax savings. Contributions are tax-deductible, grow tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free for eligible medical expenses. Unlike a flexible savings account (FSA), unused HSA funds carry over from year to year.
To contribute to an HSA, you must be eligible for an HSA-compatible health plan and generally not be covered by Medicare or other disqualifying health coverage, according to HealthCare.gov. All Marketplace bronze plans are HSA-compatible for 2027, the agency noted. Other plans may qualify as well.
HSAs can help lower the effective cost of certain medical expenses. However, they cannot generally be used to pay regular health insurance premiums.
Don't Miss the Open Enrollment Deadline
Consumers who want to make changes to their ACA coverage for 2027 can begin shopping on Nov. 1.
For states using the federal Marketplace, open enrollment runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, 2026, per HealthCare.gov's enrollment calendar. State-run Marketplaces may have different deadlines.
Whether you have a Marketplace plan in 2026 or are looking to sign up for the first time in 2027, there are a lot of changes coming with coverage and costs. The six weeks or so of open enrollment offer time to review all of the available options and make the best choice for your own personal health and financial situation.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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