ACA 2027 Enrollment: New ID Checks and Broker Rules

Open enrollment for 2027 Affordable Care Act coverage began November 1 in most states. Consumers face new identity verification steps, tighter rules for insurance agents, and premium increases. These changes aim to reduce fraud but may complicate the process for shoppers and brokers alike.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services introduced stricter identity checks for consumers using agents in the federal marketplace, which serves 29 states. All consumers using an agent must now receive a one-time confirmation code via text, email, or phone to authorize that specific agent. Applicants deemed high-risk, including first-time buyers or those switching states, must verify their identity through a third party like Experian. Joshua Brooker, a Pennsylvania insurance agency owner, warned that up to one in five consumers may face these extra steps, potentially causing some to give up on enrolling.

A September CMS rule also places a moratorium on brokers new to the marketplace. Agents not registered with the federal system in 2026 cannot assist with 2027 enrollments until February. This decision follows a review that found a disproportionate number of compliance issues among newly registered agents. Jason Fine, a Florida brokerage owner, said the move benefits large call centers that maintain year-round staff, while small agencies struggle to find available, registered agents. Two agent groups filed lawsuits in October challenging the moratorium, arguing it unfairly impacts roughly 19,000 new agents.

Premiums for 2027 are set to rise by an average of 15%, down from a 26% increase last year. This rise follows the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the end of 2025, which reduced financial support for many enrollees. Louise Norris, a health policy analyst, noted that overall affordability should remain similar for most people due to subsidy adjustments, though higher earners lost subsidies entirely. Subsidies are income-based and cut off for households earning more than four times the federal poverty rate, which is $63,840 for a single person this year.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also strips subsidy eligibility from many lawfully present immigrants, including those with H-1B visas, refugees, and asylum seekers. Only green-card holders, specific Cuban and Haitian immigrants, and citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, or Palau retain eligibility. Experts advise consumers to compare plans manually rather than allowing automatic renewal, as coverage details and out-of-pocket maximums change annually. The individual out-of-pocket cap will rise 13% to $12,000 in 2027.