Shopping for an ACA health plan? Here’s what to know as enrollment opens : NPR

Key Points:

• Open enrollment for 2027 Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage begins Nov. 1 in most states, with changes including premium increases, stricter identity verification, potential broker delays, and new limits on immigrant subsidy eligibility.
• Increased fraud prevention measures require consumers using brokers on the federal marketplace to confirm agent authorization via one-time codes, and "high-risk" applicants must undergo additional identity verification, potentially slowing enrollment.
• A moratorium on new brokers registered in 2026 will limit agent availability during open enrollment, drawing criticism from agent groups who argue it unfairly penalizes new agents and could reduce consumer access to assistance.
• Premiums are expected to rise by about 15% in 2027, with subsidies less generous following the expiration of enhanced subsidies at the end of 2025, maintaining overall affordability for most but continuing to pose challenges for higher earners and low-income households.
• New legislation restricts ACA subsidy eligibility for many lawfully present immigrants, excluding those with temporary visas or pending status, while subsidies remain available for green-card holders and select immigrant groups.