The short answer
If you have a Marketplace health plan, two letters about next year should reach you by November 1. HealthCare.gov says one comes from your insurance company and one comes from the Marketplace. Read both, then log in during Open Enrollment, update your income and household details, and compare plans before you let the renewal happen on its own. HealthCare.gov lays this out on its renew or change your plan page.
Why this is news this week
Renewal mail for 2027 is landing in mailboxes this month. HealthCare.gov also says you will be able to preview 2027 plans and estimated prices just before Open Enrollment starts on November 1. So the next couple of weeks are a good time to get your paperwork in one place.
What the two letters tell you
According to HealthCare.gov, the letters together show whether your current plan is still offered next year. They also show which plan you are matched with for automatic re-enrollment if you do nothing by December 15, plus any changes to your coverage and savings. If the Marketplace needs documents from you, the letter says that too.
Missing a letter? HealthCare.gov says to contact your plan for the insurance company letter and the Marketplace Call Center for the Marketplace letter.
Why I tell people not to just let it roll over
Automatic re-enrollment is there to keep you from having a gap. HealthCare.gov is clear that it can still put you in a different plan. If your insurance company changes or ends a plan, you may be moved to another plan with the same company, or to a comparable one with a different company.
Your savings can shift too. HealthCare.gov says Marketplace savings are based on your expected income for the coming year, not past years. If you do not update your application, you could get less help than you should, or more than you should and owe some back at tax time. For self-employed folks whose income moves around, that update matters a lot.
People do change plans when they look. CMS reported that in the 2026 Open Enrollment Period, Bronze plan selections rose 10 percentage points and Silver dropped by nearly 14 points compared with the year before. A plan that fit last year may not be the best fit now.
A simple plan for the next few weeks
Open both letters and set them next to each other. Write down your best estimate of next year's income, the doctors you want to keep, and the prescriptions you take. Once the 2027 preview tool is live, use it to compare. Then log in after November 1 and make your choice by December 15 if you want coverage to start January 1.
If you work for yourself, the tax side is worth a look as well. I wrote about how self-employed people can deduct health insurance premiums, and I put together the Marketplace Open Enrollment dates for self-employed people so you can keep the deadlines handy.
FAQ
When will I get my Marketplace renewal letters?
HealthCare.gov says you should get two letters by November 1. One comes from your current insurance company and one comes from the Marketplace.
What happens if I do nothing during Open Enrollment?
If you do not act by December 15, HealthCare.gov says you may be automatically re-enrolled for coverage starting January 1. In some cases you will not be re-enrolled automatically, so read your letters closely.
Can I be re-enrolled in a different plan than the one I have now?
Yes. HealthCare.gov explains that if your insurance company changes or ends a plan, the Marketplace may match you with a different plan from the same company or a comparable one from another company.
Can I still switch after I am automatically re-enrolled?
Yes. HealthCare.gov says you can pick a different plan by December 15 for a January 1 start. If your re-enrolled coverage has already started, you can still change plans until January 15 for a February 1 start.
Why should I update my income if nothing changed?
Savings are based on your expected income for the coverage year. HealthCare.gov notes that skipping the update could mean getting too little help, or too much and having to pay some back when you file your federal taxes.