Alabama Marketplace Plans 2027: How to Choose | Thrive

Alabama · Open enrollment Nov 1 – Jan 15

Alabama Marketplace Health Insurance: How to Choose a 2027 Plan

Updated October 7, 2026

Open enrollment for 2027 runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027 on HealthCare.gov.

Alabama had 4 Marketplace insurers and 54 plans for 2026. How many you can choose from depends on your county.

Prices are going up for 2027. Alabama insurers filed increases of about 11% to 34% before tax credits. Compare again even if you like your plan.

Find my Alabama planFree. See your price after tax credits.

What's different in Alabama for 2027

  1. Blue Cross, UnitedHealthcare, Ambetter and Oscar all return for 2027. Alabama has approved 2027 rates for all four, so your current insurer should still be an option.

  2. Approved average increases run from 11.4% at Ambetter to 33.8% at Oscar, before tax credits. Blue Cross, the largest insurer, rose 19.9% on average.

  3. The extra tax credits ended after 2025. If your income is above 400% of the federal poverty level, you generally pay the plan's full price.

  4. In 2026, Blue Cross was the only Marketplace insurer in seven counties, including Autauga and Elmore near Montgomery. Check your county's choices before you plan a switch.

Birmingham, Alabama skyline at dusk reflected in the water at Railroad Park

Which metal level fits how you use care?

Metal levels set how you and the plan share costs. The network, not the metal level, decides which doctors you can see.

  1. Lowest monthly price, from $366 at age 40 before tax credits. You pay more when you get care: the typical deductible is $7,500. 1 Bronze plans work with a health savings account (HSA).

  2. Only Silver plans get extra savings on deductibles and copays for lower incomes. If you qualify, Silver can cost less to use than Gold. From $583 at age 40; typical deductible $5,900 before those savings.

  3. Higher monthly price, from $657 at age 40, but a much lower typical deductible of $1,450. Often the better deal with several visits, a planned procedure or ongoing prescriptions.

Alabama 2026 plans. Monthly premium for one person before tax credits, in the lowest-priced area of the state. Deductibles are for one person, in network. Also available: 1 catastrophic plans for people under 30.
MetalPlansFrom, age 40Typical deductibleDeductible range
BronzePlans17From, age 40$366Typical deductible$7,500Deductible range$0–$10,600
SilverPlans21From, age 40$583Typical deductible$5,900Deductible range$0–$6,300
GoldPlans15From, age 40$657Typical deductible$1,450Deductible range$0–$3,300

Which insurers sell in Alabama?

Not every insurer sells in every county. Your ZIP code decides your choices.

2026 plans. Lowest monthly premium before tax credits, any metal level except catastrophic. CMS rating is the Marketplace Quality Rating System overall score. 2027 change is each insurer's average as approved. Final 2027 rates are published when open enrollment starts. All four insurers return for 2027, and Alabama has approved their 2027 rates.
InsurerCounties (2026)Plans (2026)Plan typesFrom (age 40)CMS rating (2026)2027 change
AmbetterCounties (2026)40 of 67Plans (2026)18Plan typesEPOFrom (age 40)$488CMS rating (2026)2 of 52027 change+11.4% approved
Blue CrossCounties (2026)67 of 67Plans (2026)14Plan typesEPO, PPOFrom (age 40)$416CMS rating (2026)4 of 52027 change+19.9% approved
UnitedHealthcareCounties (2026)56 of 67Plans (2026)13Plan typesEPOFrom (age 40)$366CMS rating (2026)2 of 52027 change+27.5% approved
OscarCounties (2026)5 of 67Plans (2026)9Plan typesEPOFrom (age 40)$548CMS rating (2026)Not yet rated2027 change+33.8% approved

What would you pay after tax credits?

Answer a few questions about your household and your care. See plans for your county, check your doctors and prescriptions, and get a recommendation.

Find my Alabama plan

Alabama Marketplace questions

  1. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1; the last day to sign up is January 15. Outside open enrollment you need a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, marrying or having a baby.

  2. Not necessarily. The prices on this page are before tax credits. Tax credits depend on your household size and income, and they can lower the monthly premium a lot. The plan finder estimates your price after tax credits.

  3. 44 of Alabama's 54 plans for 2026 are HMOs or EPOs, which only pay for in-network care except emergencies. Check that your doctors and hospital are in the plan's network before you enroll.

  4. Compare before you let it renew. Alabama insurers filed 2027 increases of about 11% to 34% before tax credits, and your plan or its network may change. Your new tax credit can change too.

  5. Alabama hasn't expanded Medicaid. Most adults without children can't get Medicaid at any income, and parents qualify only with very low income, about 18% of the poverty level. Check eligibility at medicaid.alabama.gov or apply through HealthCare.gov.

  6. On HealthCare.gov, through an approved insurer or broker website, or with a licensed agent. The plans and prices are the same everywhere you enroll.

  7. You can still compare its metal levels and plan types. In 2026 that was true in Autauga, Butler, Crenshaw, Elmore, Lamar, Monroe and Wilcox counties. Check HealthCare.gov in November to see your 2027 choices.

  8. It depends on the plan. UnitedHealthcare, Ambetter and Oscar plans don't require referrals. Blue Cross Select and Blue Cross EPO plans ask you to choose a primary care doctor, who refers you for most specialist care.

  9. Update your HealthCare.gov application. Starting with 2026 tax returns there's no cap on paying back extra tax credit, so an income increase you don't report can mean a large bill at tax time.

Where these numbers come from

  • 2026 plans, premiums, deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket maximums: CMS QHP Landscape and Benefits and Cost Sharing Public Use Files, plan year 2026. Checked October 4, 2026.
  • Proposed 2027 changes: each insurer's rate filing (ratereview.healthcare.gov or the state insurance department).

Reviewed by Jacob Guidi, licensed health insurance agent (NPN 19902041), Thrive Benefits Group.

Thrive Benefits Group is not HealthCare.gov or a government agency. Premiums shown are before tax credits, for one person age 40, and most people who qualify for tax credits pay less. Your price depends on your county, age, household and income. Plan details can change; the insurer's plan documents are final.