Tennessee Open Enrollment 2027: Dates, Insurers and Rate Changes

By Michael Sprague, Licensed Health Insurance Agent · Reviewed by Heather Sprague, Licensed Health Insurance Agent

Tennessee 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. Five insurers will sell Marketplace plans in Tennessee for 2027, and Cigna is leaving. Full-price premiums are rising by double digits on average.

This guide covers the key dates, which insurers are selling plans in Tennessee 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.

Key Dates for Tennessee 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 Tennessee for 2027?

Tennessee had six Marketplace insurers in 2026. For 2027, five remain. Here are the requested average rate changes in federal rate filings, before subsidies:

Insurer	2027 status	Requested average rate change
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee	Returning	About 10.4%
Ambetter (Celtic Insurance)	Returning	About 11%
Alliant Health Plans	Returning	About 23.3%
UnitedHealthcare	Returning	About 28.7%
Oscar	Returning	See your plan notice
Cigna	Leaving the Marketplace	Not applicable

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 Tennessee?

Tennessee insurers requested average increases ranging from about 10% to nearly 29% for 2027, before subsidies. Analysts estimate the weighted average at roughly 13% to 16%. Nationally, the median proposed increase was about 15%, according to KFF.

These are full-price changes. If you get a premium tax credit, your actual change depends on how much your subsidy changes. People who earn too much for a subsidy feel the full increase.

Tennessee no longer runs its own effective rate review program, so the federal government reviews the rates filed in the state.

How Subsidies Work in Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid (TennCare) under the ACA. Most adults without children do not qualify, no matter how low their income. Because of that, Marketplace subsidies in Tennessee start at 100% of the federal poverty level instead of 138%.

Learn more on our Tennessee health insurance page.

How to Enroll in Tennessee

• 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 Tennessee

• 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 Tennessee?

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 Tennessee short-term health insurance plan may bridge the gap until next year. See how to buy health insurance after open enrollment.

Open Enrollment for Tennessee Small Businesses

Employers can start a small group plan any month, but applications made November 15 to December 15 for a January 1 start skip the usual participation and contribution minimums. See our guide to Tennessee small business health insurance for group rules, continuation coverage, ICHRA and QSEHRA options.

Tennessee Open Enrollment: FAQ

When is open enrollment in Tennessee 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 Tennessee for 2027?

Five: BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Oscar, Ambetter (Celtic), UnitedHealthcare and Alliant Health Plans. Cigna is leaving.

Are Tennessee health insurance premiums going up in 2027?

Yes. Insurers requested average increases from about 10% to nearly 29% before subsidies.

Can I get a subsidy in Tennessee?

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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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

1. healthinsurance.org: Tennessee health insurance Marketplace
2. KFF: How much and why ACA Marketplace premiums are going up in 2027
3. ACA Signups: 2027 rate changes, Tennessee
4. HealthCare.gov

Related Guides

• Open enrollment deadlines by state
• Open enrollment checklist
• ACA subsidy cliff
• Tennessee health insurance

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.