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Call Us NowRequest a Free QuoteAlabama open enrollment runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Pick a plan by December 15 if you want coverage to start January 1. Four insurers will sell Marketplace plans in Alabama for 2027, and final rates are up about 20.7% on average before subsidies.
This guide covers the key dates, which insurers are selling plans in Alabama for 2027, how much rates are changing and how to keep your costs down. For free help comparing plans, call a licensed Vivna agent at 888-730-6031.
- Enroll by December 15 for January 1 coverage, or by January 15 for February 1 coverage.
- Four insurers sell 2027 Marketplace plans in Alabama: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, UnitedHealthcare, Ambetter (Celtic) and Oscar.
- Approved rate increases range from 11.4% to about 34%, with a weighted average near 20.7% before subsidies.
- About 9 in 10 Alabama Marketplace enrollees get a premium tax credit.
- Alabama has not expanded Medicaid, so subsidies start at 100% of the poverty level.
Key Dates for Alabama Open Enrollment
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open enrollment starts on HealthCare.gov |
| December 15, 2026 | Last day to enroll for coverage starting January 1, 2027 |
| January 15, 2027 | Open enrollment ends. Plans picked by this date start February 1 |
| After January 15 | You need a qualifying life event for a special enrollment period |
If you have a plan now and do nothing, HealthCare.gov may automatically renew you into the same or a similar plan. Auto-renewal can cost you money when rates and subsidies change, so compare before December 15.
Which Insurers Sell Plans in Alabama for 2027?
Here are Alabama's 2027 Marketplace insurers and their approved average rate changes before subsidies:
| Insurer | 2027 status | Approved average rate change |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama | Returning | 19.9% |
| UnitedHealthcare | Returning | 27.5% |
| Ambetter (Celtic Insurance) | Returning | 11.4% |
| Oscar | Returning | About 33.8% |
Plan choices vary by county. Enter your ZIP code on HealthCare.gov, or call 888-730-6031, to see which insurers serve your area.
How Much Are Rates Going Up in Alabama?
Every Alabama Marketplace insurer raised rates for 2027. The weighted average is about 20.7% before subsidies, above the national median of about 15%. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama covers the most people, about 184,000, and its increase is 19.9%.
About 455,776 Alabamians picked a Marketplace plan for 2026, and roughly 91% received a subsidy. If you get a premium tax credit, your actual change depends on your new subsidy. People who earn too much for a subsidy pay the full increase.
How Subsidies Work in Alabama for 2027
The enhanced federal subsidies that were in place from 2021 through 2025 expired. For 2027, premium tax credits are available to households with income from 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level that do not have access to affordable employer coverage. Above 400%, there is no subsidy.
Your subsidy is tied to the cost of the second-lowest-cost silver plan in your area. When that benchmark plan goes up, your subsidy usually goes up too. That is why some people see little change in what they pay, while people who earn too much for a subsidy pay the full increase.
If your income is near the 400% line, small changes can make a big difference. See our guide to the ACA subsidy cliff.
Medicaid in Alabama
Alabama has not expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Most adults without children do not qualify for Medicaid, no matter how low their income. Marketplace subsidies in Alabama start at 100% of the federal poverty level instead of 138%.
See our Alabama health insurance page.
A licensed Vivna agent can compare every Alabama Marketplace plan in your ZIP code, check your subsidy and help you switch if your insurer is leaving. Call 888-730-6031 or request a free quote.
How to Enroll in Alabama
- Gather your information: household members, Social Security numbers, income estimate for 2027 and current coverage details.
- Estimate your 2027 income carefully. Your subsidy is based on it, and you reconcile it at tax time.
- Compare plans: look at premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, networks and drug lists, not just the monthly price.
- Check your doctors and prescriptions in each plan's network and formulary.
- Enroll on HealthCare.gov or with a licensed agent at no extra cost.
- Pay your first premium to start coverage.
Ways to Lower Your Costs in Alabama
- Compare bronze, silver and gold plans. If your income is under 250% of the poverty level, a silver plan may give you cost-sharing reductions.
- Consider an HSA-eligible bronze plan if you are healthy and want a tax-free savings account.
- Add hospital indemnity or accident insurance to a lower-premium plan to cover big bills.
- Use our open enrollment checklist so you do not miss a step.
Missed Open Enrollment in Alabama?
After January 15, you can only enroll in a Marketplace plan if you have a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married or having a baby. If you do not qualify, a Alabama short-term health insurance plan may bridge the gap until next year. See how to buy health insurance after open enrollment.
Alabama Open Enrollment: FAQ
When is open enrollment in Alabama for 2027?
November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
How many insurers sell Marketplace plans in Alabama for 2027?
Four: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, UnitedHealthcare, Ambetter (Celtic) and Oscar.
Are Alabama health insurance premiums going up in 2027?
Yes. Approved increases average about 20.7% before subsidies.
Can I get a subsidy in Alabama?
Yes, if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level and you do not have affordable employer coverage.
What if I miss the deadline?
You need a qualifying life event for a special enrollment period. Otherwise, you wait until the next open enrollment.
Next Steps for Alabama open enrollment
Review your 2027 options before December 15, especially if your insurer is leaving or your rate is going up. Compare plans in your ZIP code and update your income estimate. See our national guide to open enrollment deadlines by state and our Alabama health insurance page.
Want a licensed agent to help? Call 888-730-6031, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, or request a free quote.
Sources
- healthinsurance.org: Alabama health insurance Marketplace
- ACA Signups: 2027 rate changes, Alabama
- Alabama Department of Insurance
- HealthCare.gov
Related Guides
- Open enrollment deadlines by state
- Open enrollment checklist
- ACA subsidy cliff
- Alabama health insurance
About the author: Michael Sprague
Michael co-founded Vivna Insurance, a licensed independent agency in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He has worked in health insurance sales for more than a decade. Today, he helps Florida families and self-employed clients compare marketplace, short-term and supplemental plans. Licensed health insurance agent, Vivna Insurance (Agency NPN 19168641). Call 888-730-6031.
Reviewed by Heather Sprague, licensed health insurance agent.
Vivna Insurance is a licensed independent agency, not a government website. Our help is free; we are paid by the insurance companies we work with. Coverage options, deadlines and costs vary by plan and state.
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More local help: the Texas health insurance guide, plus guides for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and every state we serve.
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