HealthCare.gov dates for 2027 coverage
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open Enrollment starts for 2027 plans on HealthCare.gov. |
| December 15, 2026 | Last day to enroll or change plans for coverage starting January 1, 2027. |
| January 1, 2027 | Coverage starts for plans picked by December 15, once the first premium is paid. |
| January 15, 2027 | Open Enrollment ends. Plans picked December 16 to January 15 start February 1. |
CMS lists Texas as a federally facilitated Marketplace state for plan year 2027, so you apply at HealthCare.gov. Outside Open Enrollment you need a qualifying life event. See special enrollment periods.
As of October 12, 2026, HealthCare.gov says 2027 income levels and savings are coming November 1. Until then, its estimate tool uses 2026 amounts. See premium tax credit for how the credit works.
Who can get Medicaid in Texas
Texas Medicaid for adults is narrow. Under the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) program for parents and caretakers, you must be a parent or related caretaker of a child who has Medicaid and lives with you. The child must be 17 or younger, or 18 and in school full time. The income limits are very low.
| Family size | One parent (monthly) | Two parents (monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | $196 | $161 |
| 3 | $230 | $251 |
| 4 | $277 | $285 |
| 5 | $310 | $332 |
Children, pregnant people, older adults and people with disabilities have their own programs. Check what you qualify for at YourTexasBenefits.com.
The coverage gap, and what to do
Texas has not adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion (KFF's state tracker, October 1, 2026). HealthCare.gov explains what that means: adults with incomes below 100% of the federal poverty level who don't qualify for Medicaid based on disability, age or other factors can fall into a coverage gap. Their income is too high for Texas Medicaid but below the range where Marketplace savings start.
- Apply anyway. HealthCare.gov says to fill out a Marketplace application even if your income looks too low. More detailed income information may put you in the savings range, and state options may still apply if you have children, are pregnant or have a disability.
- Use a community health center. They charge on a sliding scale based on income.
- Look at a catastrophic plan, which protects against very high costs from an accident or serious illness. See catastrophic health insurance.
- Report income changes. If your expected yearly income rises to between 100% and 400% of the poverty level, contact the Marketplace within 60 days to check for a premium tax credit.
How to enroll, and where Gabriel fits
- Gather your details: your household, expected 2027 income, any job-based coverage offer, and your doctors and prescriptions.
- Apply at HealthCare.gov, or with a licensed agent, broker or free local help.
- Compare the premium after any tax credit, the deductible, the out-of-pocket maximum and the network. The Texas Department of Insurance runs TexasHealthPlanCompare.com to compare costs and deductibles.
- Pick by December 15 for January 1 coverage, then pay your first premium.
For questions or complaints about an insurer, the Texas Department of Insurance help line is 800-252-3439. TDI also warns that some alternative health plans offer fewer benefits and more limits than traditional insurance. See health insurance alternatives.
Gabriel can quote Marketplace plans for your ZIP code and household, show the price after any tax credit, and open your own application with a licensed agent in most states. You choose the plan and finish the application. Separate from insurance, Gabriel Core is $49 per adult a month (kids under 18 included) with member prices close to cost on lab tests, supplements, prescriptions and bioregulators, plus unlimited virtual urgent care and virtual primary care.
Gabriel is not an insurer. Health insurance quotes and enrollment are handled by Gabriel Labs, Gabriel's separately licensed insurance agency. Gabriel membership is not health insurance, doesn't count as minimum essential coverage, and doesn't replace a health plan's protection against large medical bills.
Common questions
When is open enrollment in Texas for 2027?
Texas uses HealthCare.gov, where Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1.
Did Texas expand Medicaid?
No. Texas has not adopted the ACA Medicaid expansion, so most low-income adults without children don't qualify for Medicaid.
What is the Medicaid income limit for adults in Texas?
For parents and caretakers, HHSC lists gross monthly limits such as $230 for a one-parent family of three. Adults without children generally have no Medicaid pathway unless they're older, pregnant or have a disability.
What if my income is too low for a Marketplace tax credit in Texas?
Apply anyway, since detailed income can change the result. You can also use a community health center with sliding-scale fees or look at a catastrophic plan.
Where can I get help with a health insurance problem in Texas?
Call the Texas Department of Insurance help line at 800-252-3439. For Marketplace enrollment questions, use HealthCare.gov or a licensed agent.
Sources
- Dates and deadlines for 2027 health insurance HealthCare.gov
- Medicaid expansion and what it means for you HealthCare.gov
- Medicaid for parents and caretakers Texas Health and Human Services
- Health insurance Texas Department of Insurance
- Status of state Medicaid expansion decisions KFF
- States by Marketplace type for plan year 2027 CMS
- Lower costs: 2027 income levels and savings HealthCare.gov
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a visit with a licensed clinician. Gabriel membership is not health insurance.