Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage on HealthCare.gov starts November 1, 2026. It ends January 15, 2027. The site states that "All Bronze and Catastrophic health plans work with Health Savings Accounts."
That bronze rule took effect in January 2026. It is not new for 2027. What changes for 2027 is the set of dollar limits.
This post covers the 2027 numbers and the rule behind bronze plans. It also covers the HealthCare.gov filter, the dates, and the math to run before you pick.
The 2027 HDHP Numbers
The IRS published the 2027 figures in Revenue Procedure 2026-24 in May 2026. The HealthCare.gov HSA page lists the same 2027 numbers.
| Figure | 2026 self-only | 2026 family | 2027 self-only | 2027 family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum annual deductible | $1,700 | $3,400 | $1,750 | $3,500 |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | $8,500 | $17,000 | $8,700 | $17,400 |
| HSA contribution limit | $4,400 | $8,750 | $4,500 | $9,000 |
The out-of-pocket maximum counts "deductibles, co-payments, and other amounts, but not premiums." That wording comes from the revenue procedure itself.
A standard HDHP has to pass both tests. The deductible cannot sit below the minimum. Out-of-pocket costs cannot run above the maximum.
Bronze and catastrophic plans on an Exchange do not have to pass either test. The next section explains why.
The Rule Behind Bronze and Catastrophic Plans
Section 71307 of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act changed the HDHP definition in 26 USC 223(c)(2). The law was enacted July 4, 2025. It added bronze and catastrophic plans that are "available as individual coverage through an Exchange."
IRS Notice 2026-5 gives the start date. The provision "applies for months beginning after December 31, 2025." January 2026 was the first month it counted.
The notice also explains the old problem. It says "many bronze plans did not qualify as HDHPs" before the law. Their out-of-pocket maximums ran too high, or they paid for non-preventive care before the deductible.
Catastrophic plans had a different conflict. They were required to cover three primary care visits before the deductible. That broke the standard HDHP rules.
Q&A-4 of the notice is the line that matters. A bronze or catastrophic plan on an Exchange counts even if it fails the deductible test. It also counts if it fails the out-of-pocket test.
What Qualifies and What Does Not
Counts as an HDHP for 2027:
- ●Any Bronze plan available as individual coverage on HealthCare.gov or another Exchange.
- ●Any Catastrophic plan available the same way.
- ●The same bronze or catastrophic plan bought off-Exchange, per Notice 2026-5 Q&A-6.
- ●A bronze or catastrophic plan bought with an employer's individual coverage HRA, per Q&A-5. The notice adds that the HRA should generally reimburse only premiums.
- ●A Silver, Gold, or Platinum plan that passes the standard 2027 tests. HealthCare.gov says these "may also be eligible, depending on their deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums."
Does not count, or does not make you eligible:
- ●Bronze plans sold as small-employer SHOP coverage. The notice answers "Generally, no," unless the plan passes the standard tests.
- ●Silver, Gold, or Platinum plans that miss the 2027 deductible or out-of-pocket tests.
- ●Any plan, once you enroll in Medicare. Pub 969 lists "You aren't enrolled in Medicare" as a requirement.
- ●Any plan, if you also carry other health coverage that Pub 969 does not permit.
- ●Any plan, if someone else can claim you as a dependent.
Catastrophic plans have their own entry rule. HealthCare.gov offers them to "People under 30 years" and people with a hardship or affordability exemption.
How to Spot an HSA Plan on HealthCare.gov
The filter is named "Eligible for an HSA." HealthCare.gov says it shows "all plans in your area that work with Health Savings Accounts."
The steps:
- ●Open the plan list for your area.
- ●Select the "Eligible for an HSA" filter.
- ●Open each plan's details and look for "HSA-eligible."
- ●Confirm with the insurer. HealthCare.gov itself tells shoppers to check with the insurance company.
This post covers HealthCare.gov only. If your state runs its own marketplace, check its dates and filters there.
The Enrollment Dates
| Date | What happens on HealthCare.gov |
|---|---|
| November 1, 2026 | Open Enrollment starts |
| December 15, 2026 | Last day to enroll or change plans for a January 1 start |
| January 1, 2027 | Coverage starts if you enrolled by December 15 and paid the first premium |
| January 15, 2027 | Open Enrollment ends |
| February 1, 2027 | Coverage starts if you enrolled December 16 through January 15 and paid |
The date matters for the HSA. Pub 969 requires HDHP coverage "on the first day of the month." Coverage that starts February 1 makes January an ineligible month.
A part-year limit is figured on the Form 8889 worksheet. The last-month rule can restore the full limit if you are eligible on December 1. That rule comes with a 12-month testing period. Failing it adds the extra contributions to income, plus a 10% additional tax.
Run the Premium and Contribution Math
A bronze plan trades a lower premium for a higher deductible. The HSA is the offset. Run the numbers before you pick.
Here is a made-up example. Say a single shopper compares a $300 a month bronze plan with a $400 a month silver plan. The silver plan is not HSA-eligible. The bronze plan saves $1,200 a year in premiums.
Now add the HSA. The shopper contributes the full 2027 limit of $4,500. At a hypothetical 22% federal rate, that deduction cuts federal income tax by $990.
That puts the bronze plan $2,190 ahead before any medical bills. If its deductible runs $3,000 higher, one bad year can erase the gap. The $4,500 stays in the account either way.
Contributions you make yourself go on your return. Pub 969 puts it this way:
Contributions, other than employer contributions, are deductible on the eligible individual's return whether or not the individual itemizes deductions.
What to Check Before You Enroll
- ●Premium after any tax credit. This is the fixed cost for the year.
- ●Deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. The maximum caps your cost sharing. Premiums sit outside that cap.
- ●Cost-sharing reductions. HealthCare.gov says "You must pick a plan in the Silver category to get these extra savings on out-of-pocket costs." If you qualify, price that silver plan before you default to bronze.
- ●The HSA label on non-bronze plans. Confirm "HSA-eligible" in the plan details. Metal level alone does not settle it.
- ●Premiums from the HSA. Pub 969 says "You may not use HSA funds to pay for insurance, except for the following." One listed exception is "Health care coverage while receiving unemployment compensation under federal or state law."
- ●Coverage start date. Enroll by December 15 for a January 1 start. That makes January an eligible month.
A higher deductible means more bills paid out of pocket. Keep the itemized receipt for each one. Those records are what back up a tax-free reimbursement later.
Related Reading
- ●2026 HSA Rule Changes: DPC Eligibility, Bronze Plans, and New Limits
- ●2027 HSA Contribution Limits: $4,500 Single, $9,000 Family
- ●The HSA Last-Month Rule: A Full Year From One Month of Coverage
- ●High-Deductible Health Plans: How to Pick the Right One for Your HSA
- ●HSA for Self-Employed and Contractors: 2026 Setup Guide
December 15, 2026 is the last day to enroll on HealthCare.gov for coverage that starts January 1.
This is educational content, not financial or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions about your HSA.