If your ACA (Affordable Care Act) health plan is changing or ending for 2027, it's important to understand how the change may affect your costs, coverage and access to care. Depending on the type of change, you may be automatically enrolled in a similar plan or need to choose a new one during Open Enrollment.
Why is my ACA plan changing?
Health plans can change from year to year for several reasons. In some cases, a plan may be discontinued and no longer offered, which means you'll need to review the plans available to you. If your current plan is ending, you may be automatically enrolled in a similar plan to help maintain continuous coverage.
If you're automatically enrolled in a new plan, you can choose to keep that coverage or shop for a different plan during Open Enrollment if another option better meets your needs.
Your plan's benefits may also change. For example, a plan could add or remove features such as Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility. Depending on how important those benefits are to you, you may decide to keep your current coverage or explore other options that better fit your needs.
Provider networks can change as well. This may affect which doctors, hospitals and facilities are included in your plan and could require you to choose new providers for your care.
In some situations, regulatory or administrative changes may affect your coverage. For example, insurers may consolidate similar plans into a single offering. When this happens, members may be automatically enrolled in the new plan to help avoid a gap in coverage. Learn more about this process below.
What happens if my health plan is discontinued?
If your current plan is no longer offered, you may be automatically enrolled in a similar plan to help avoid a gap in coverage. Review your renewal materials carefully so you understand any changes before your coverage renews.
Depending on the kind of change your plan had, you may:
- Be directed to choose a new plan
- Be automatically moved into a similar plan
- Receive a notification of changes along with renewal information
This process, often called a cross-walk, is intended to help prevent a gap in coverage. Be sure to review your renewal information carefully to understand how your new plan may differ from your current coverage.
What is a cross-walked health plan?
Cross-walked plans are intended to be similar to your previous coverage and help avoid a gap in coverage when a plan is no longer offered. However, your new plan may have different premiums, deductibles, provider networks, benefits or prescription coverage.
It's important to review your renewal information carefully and understand any changes to costs, benefits, provider networks and prescription coverage.
During Open Enrollment, take time to review your new plan and compare other available options. Even if you're automatically enrolled in a comparable plan, reviewing your choices can help ensure you select the coverage that best fits your healthcare needs and budget for 2027.
What should I do if my ACA plan changes?
Plan changes can impact your costs, the doctors you see and where you can access care. It's important to compare your old plan to the new plan you've been assigned, or a plan you're considering enrolling in, as soon as possible.
If you've been cross-walked to a new plan, take time to compare your previous coverage with your assigned plan. Cross-walked plans are designed to be comparable, but differences in premiums, deductibles, provider access and prescription coverage may affect your healthcare costs and experience.
Compare:
- Premiums: the amount you pay for the plan itself
- Deductibles: the amount you pay before the plan begins paying for services
- Copays: the amount you pay at the time of service
- Coinsurance: a percentage of the cost of a service that you're responsible for paying
- Out-of-pocket maximums: the most you'll pay for covered services in a year
- Provider networks: the doctors, hospitals and facilities included in your plan
- Prescription coverage: the medications your plan covers and your share of the cost
- HSA eligibility: whether your plan allows you to contribute pre-tax dollars to a Health Savings Account
Knowing what your previous plan cost and what it covered can help you make an informed decision about your coverage moving forward. Keep in mind that your healthcare needs may have changed since you selected your last plan.
Can I choose a different ACA health plan?
Yes. Even if you're enrolled in a similar plan automatically, another option may better fit your healthcare needs, provider preferences or budget.
When comparing plans, focus on four key areas: your healthcare needs, provider access, costs and future care needs.