ACA Open Enrollment for 2028 Starts November 1: What Katy Families Should Know
Published October 1, 2027 · By Joseph Stevens
The dates that matter
- November 1, 2027 — Open Enrollment opens on HealthCare.gov
- December 15, 2027 — deadline for January 1, 2028 coverage
- January 15, 2028 — final deadline (coverage starts February 1)
Gather these in October
- Your best estimate of 2028 household income (wages, self-employment, retirement, unemployment)
- A list of every prescription your family takes
- Your must-keep doctors and hospitals
- Last year's 1095-A if you had a Marketplace plan
Re-check the subsidy math
Subsidy rules for 2028 depend on where your income falls relative to the federal poverty level. Households under roughly 400% FPL generally qualify for meaningful premium tax credits; above that line, the math gets tighter and healthy families should also price alternatives. We run both sides so you see the real comparison.
Don't auto-renew blind
HealthCare.gov will auto-renew you, but your plan's price, network and drug list all change January 1. A 20-minute review in November beats a surprise bill in January — especially if your plan dropped Houston Methodist West, Memorial Hermann or your pediatrician.
FAQs
What income counts for ACA subsidies?
Modified adjusted gross income — wages, self-employment net income, Social Security, retirement distributions, unemployment and more. We help you estimate it accurately so your subsidy is right.
What if I miss December 15?
You can still enroll through January 15, but coverage starts February 1 instead of January 1 — a one-month gap.
Should I look at non-ACA alternatives too?
If you're healthy, over the subsidy cliff and have no significant medical history, possibly. Alternatives are not ACA-compliant qualified health plans and not everyone qualifies — if you have a history of cancer, diabetes or other significant conditions, the Marketplace is where you belong.
Need help applying this to your situation?
Free, no-pressure call with a licensed Texas agent.