North Carolina ACA premiums rise 8.35% to 27.36% for 2027; enrollment opens Nov. 1
Approved 2027 premiums for individual ACA health plans in North Carolina rise between 8.35% and 27.36%, and open enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2026, to Jan. 15, 2027.
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The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) released approved 2027 rates for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance on Oct. 30, 2026. Premiums for individual ACA coverage will rise between 8.35% and 27.36%. Small group policies will rise between 18.78% and 19.54%.
When can North Carolinians enroll in 2027 ACA plans?
Open enrollment for 2027 ACA policies runs from Nov. 1, 2026, to Jan. 15, 2027. The dates that matter most are below.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Nov. 1, 2026 | Open enrollment for 2027 ACA policies begins |
| Dec. 15, 2026 | Signing up by this date starts coverage on Jan. 1, 2027 |
| Jan. 15, 2027 | Open enrollment ends |
| Feb. 1, 2027 | Coverage begins for people who sign up after Dec. 15, 2026 |
How much will ACA premiums rise in North Carolina in 2027?
Individual ACA premiums will increase between 8.35% and 27.36%, according to the NCDOI press release. Small group policies will increase between 18.78% and 19.54%. Commissioner Mike Causey said the increases are “way less than last year’s,” but that the cost of claims, health care and prescription drugs “continues pushing monthly premiums higher.”
The release does not break out rates by county or by insurer. It does not give figures for Brunswick County or Southport. Residents can view the approved individual and small group rate changes on the NCDOI website, which the release links from its text.
Where to get help choosing a 2027 plan
People who need help can call an NCDOI consumer specialist at 855-408-1212, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Causey urged consumers to visit healthcare.gov, compare options and choose the plan that fits their family.
The release also lists other options. It says job-based coverage “may be the most affordable option for many individuals and families,” and that people who are employed may be able to enroll through their own employer, a spouse’s employer or, if they are younger than 26, a parent’s employer. It also mentions private insurance plans and student health plans for people younger than 30 who are enrolled in school.
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Questions and answers
- How much will ACA health insurance premiums rise in North Carolina in 2027?
- Approved 2027 premiums for individual ACA plans in North Carolina rise between 8.35% and 27.36%, and small group policies rise between 18.78% and 19.54%, according to the North Carolina Department of Insurance press release dated Oct. 30, 2026.
- When does open enrollment for 2027 ACA plans start in North Carolina?
- Open enrollment for 2027 ACA plans runs from Nov. 1, 2026, to Jan. 15, 2027. Signing up by Dec. 15, 2026, starts coverage on Jan. 1, 2027, according to the same press release.
