Health Insurance Open Enrollment in Texas for 2027
Open Enrollment is your yearly chance to buy or change private health insurance in Texas. Choose a plan by December 15, 2026, and coverage can start January 1. From our Farmers Branch office, Wilkerson Insurance Agency helps individuals, families, self-employed workers, and small businesses across Texas compare their options.
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What Is Open Enrollment for Health Insurance?
Open Enrollment is the one period each year when you can buy an individual or family health plan, switch to a different plan, or change who is covered, without a qualifying life event such as a move, a new baby, or losing job-based coverage. Outside this period, most people who buy their own coverage must wait until the next year unless a life event applies to them.
During Open Enrollment, insurance companies must sell individual major medical plans to anyone who applies, according to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). A plan you choose now usually covers you through December 31, 2027. That makes this the right time to check that your doctors, prescriptions, and budget still match your coverage.
Open Enrollment applies mainly to people who buy their own insurance. Job-based group plans follow the employer's renewal date, and some products, such as short-term plans, follow their own rules. Each of these is explained below.
2027 Open Enrollment Dates and Deadlines in Texas
Texas follows the federal Open Enrollment calendar, and these dates apply to private individual and family plans as well. Your start date depends on when you choose a plan.
| When you enroll | Coverage can start | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 to Dec 15, 2026 | January 1, 2027 | Best timing if your current plan ends December 31 |
| Dec 16, 2026 to Jan 15, 2027 | February 1, 2027 | Open Enrollment closes January 15 |
| After Jan 15, 2027 | Only after a qualifying life event | You usually have 60 days from the event |
| Any month (small business group plans) | A date set with the insurer | Group plans do not follow Open Enrollment |
These dates come from HealthCare.gov and are current as of November 2026. A federal court vacated a 2025 rule that would have ended Open Enrollment on December 15, and an appeal is still pending, so we update this page if anything changes.
Our Open Enrollment Services
Each type of coverage has its own timing. Here is what each service includes and how Open Enrollment affects it.
Individual and Family Health Insurance
Private health coverage for Texans who buy their own plan, such as early retirees under 65, people between jobs, and families whose employers do not offer coverage. We compare plans from multiple insurers side by side, check whether your doctors and hospitals are in each network, and look up how your prescriptions are covered. We also estimate what each plan may cost over a full year, so you can weigh a lower premium against a higher deductible.
Health Insurance for Self-Employed Workers
Coverage for freelancers, independent contractors, gig workers, and solo business owners who have no employer plan to fall back on. We compare plans that balance the premium with the deductible and network you need, show which options are HSA-compatible, and check that the coverage fits where you live and work in Texas. Real estate professionals can also ask about our Competitive Edge Realty Health Plan.
Small Business Group Health Insurance
Health benefits for Texas businesses with 2 to 50 employees. We compare carriers and plan designs, help you decide how much your business will contribute toward premiums, explain participation rules before you apply, and walk your team through enrollment. At renewal, we check your renewal against other options, so you can compare before you accept a price increase.
Dental Insurance
Coverage for routine exams, cleanings, fillings, and major dental work, depending on the plan. We compare plans that balance the monthly premium with useful benefits, and we point out waiting periods, annual maximums, and dentist networks before you choose.
Vision Insurance
Coverage for eye exams, prescription glasses, and contact lenses. Plans differ in how often they pay for frames and lenses and which eye doctors are in network, so we compare those details along with the premium. Vision coverage is often paired with dental or health coverage.
HSA-Compatible Health Plans
High-deductible health plans paired with a health savings account (HSA), which lets you set aside tax-advantaged money for qualified medical costs. Unused HSA money carries over from year to year, so the balance can build over time. We help you check HSA eligibility and compare plans that qualify.
Open Enrollment timing
- Individual and Family Health InsuranceThis is the coverage that depends most on the yearly window, so changes for 2027 need to happen before it closes.
- Health Insurance for Self-Employed WorkersSelf-employed coverage is bought as an individual plan, so the same yearly window applies to you.
- Small Business Group Health InsuranceGroup plans can usually start in any month, so you can set up or review benefits now without waiting for the individual window.
- Dental InsuranceMany dental plans bought directly from an insurer can start outside Open Enrollment, depending on the plan, so you can add one with your health plan or on its own.
- Vision InsuranceTiming depends on the plan and insurer, and we confirm it when we prepare your quote.
- HSA-Compatible Health PlansAn individual HSA-compatible plan follows the yearly window, while a group HSA plan follows your employer's schedule.
Why Texans Choose Wilkerson for Open Enrollment Help
Open Enrollment leaves about ten weeks to make a decision that shapes a full year of care and costs. Our team has helped more than 2,000 clients make that decision with a licensed agent beside them.
- Independent, not tied to one insurer. We work with major regional and national carriers, so we compare plans side by side instead of selling one company's products.
- Health insurance is our focus. We specialize in health, dental, vision, and related coverage, not auto or home insurance.
- Agents across Texas. Our office is in Farmers Branch, our agents are based across Dallas-Fort Worth and in Houston, and we help clients statewide by phone.
- Healthcare experience. Several agents worked in pharmacy, dental hygiene, or medical billing before insurance, which helps when we review prescriptions, dental needs, and medical bills.
- Help after you enroll. We stay available for questions, claims issues, and coverage changes during the year.
How a Coverage Review Works
Discovery call
We learn who needs coverage, your ZIP code, your doctors and prescriptions, your budget, and your preferred start date.
Side-by-side comparison
We compare plans from multiple carriers, including premiums, deductibles, networks, and drug coverage.
Review with an agent
You go over the options with a licensed agent and get answers in plain language.
Enrollment help
If you choose a plan, we help with the application and stay available all year.
What Our Clients Say
Ready to compare your 2027 options with a local, licensed agent?
Texas Health Insurance Challenges to Plan for in 2027
Texas has its own health insurance pressures, and they shape what you should check this Open Enrollment.
The highest uninsured rate in the country
U.S. Census Bureau data shows 16.7% of Texans had no health insurance in 2024, the highest rate of any state and about twice the national rate of 8.2%. Among working-age adults, the Texas rate was 21.6%.
Millions of Texans work for themselves
The U.S. Small Business Administration counts about 3 million Texas businesses with no employees, and many of those owners buy their own coverage.
Small businesses employ a large share of Texans
Texas small businesses employ about 5.1 million people, or 44.4% of the state's workers, according to the SBA.
Prices are rising
Final 2027 rate filings show Texas individual premiums rising an estimated 14.6% on average, with large differences between insurers.
Two insurers are leaving
Cigna is leaving the individual health insurance market, and Baylor Scott & White Health Plan is ending its individual plans after December 31, 2026.
Plan choices change by area
The insurers, networks, and prices available in Dallas-Fort Worth can differ from those in Houston, Tyler, or rural counties.
If your plan is renewing, compare the new premium, deductible, network, and drug list in your renewal letter before you accept it.
Not sure your 2027 renewal still fits?
Open Enrollment Rules for Individuals and Families Under 65
If you buy your own coverage, these rules decide what you can change and when.
What You Can Change During Open Enrollment
- Choose a plan for the first time
- Move to a different plan or insurer
- Add a spouse or children to your plan
- Change your plan level, deductible, or network
Private Health Plans Follow the Same Window
Many people think private health plans can be bought any time of year. For individual major medical plans, that is usually not true. Plans sold directly by insurers use the same Open Enrollment calendar as every other individual plan, whether you buy through a broker, a website, or the insurer itself. Our private health insurance guide explains how private plans work in Texas.
Network Types to Compare
The network decides which doctors and hospitals your plan covers at the lowest cost.
Health Maintenance Organization
Usually covers care only from in-network providers, except emergencies, and may require a referral to see a specialist.
Preferred Provider Organization
Lets you see out-of-network providers, usually at a higher cost.
Exclusive Provider Organization
Covers in-network care only, except emergencies, and often does not require referrals.
Our HMO vs PPO vs EPO guide compares them side by side.
Coverage You Can Buy Any Time of Year
Short-term plans and other products that are not major medical insurance can usually be bought during any month. They can exclude pre-existing conditions and do not have to cover every benefit a major medical plan covers. Read our short-term health insurance pros and cons before you choose one.
Open Enrollment Tips for Self-Employed Texans
If you work for yourself, the plan you choose in this window usually stays with you all year. Keep these points in mind:
Look at HSA-compatible plans
Since January 1, 2026, the IRS treats bronze and catastrophic plans as HSA-compatible. For 2027, you can contribute up to $4,500 for self-only coverage or $9,000 for family coverage to an HSA.
Ask about your deduction
Our self-employed health insurance deduction guide explains the basics, and a tax professional can confirm your situation.
Leaving a job to work for yourself?
Losing job-based coverage can open a special enrollment period, so you may not need to wait for the next Open Enrollment.
If you have hired employees, a small group plan may be another option. The next section explains how group timing works.
Small Business Group Health Insurance: Timing and Renewals
Group health insurance runs on its own calendar. According to TDI, a small employer has 2 to 50 employees and can buy coverage during any month of the year. A few TDI rules to plan around:
- Most insurers require at least 75% of full-time employees to join. Employees with other health coverage do not count against you.
- New employees must get at least 31 days to enroll.
- Business owners can join the plan if at least one employee also enrolls.
If your business cannot meet a carrier's participation rules, there may be a once-a-year window late in the year when those rules are relaxed. Ask us about the current dates.
Employer costs keep climbing too. KFF's 2026 Employer Health Benefits Survey found average annual premiums of $9,804 for single coverage and $28,303 for family coverage, both up 5% from 2025. Our Texas group health insurance costs guide explains how group premiums are built.
Group Plan or Individual Plans for a Small Team?
Small teams can also compare a traditional group plan with an individual coverage HRA (ICHRA) or a level-funded plan. Dental and vision can often be added to group coverage as well. See our ICHRA vs traditional group guide and our level-funded plans guide.
Planning benefits for your team?
What May Affect Your 2027 Premium
For individual plans, your premium can depend on your age, ZIP code, tobacco use, and how many people you cover. The plan level and network you choose also change the price.
| Term | What it means | When you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | Monthly cost to keep your plan | Every month |
| Deductible | What you pay for covered care before the plan shares costs | When you use care |
| Copay | A set fee for a visit or prescription | At the visit or pharmacy |
| Coinsurance | Your share of a covered bill after the deductible | After the deductible |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | Your yearly cap for covered in-network care, not counting premiums | Costs stop at this limit |
Your actual price needs an estimated quote for your household and ZIP code. For typical ranges, see Texas health insurance costs and health insurance cost by age.
Your Open Enrollment Checklist
Documents to Have Ready
Questions to Ask Before You Choose
- Are my doctors and hospitals in network for 2027?
- Are my medications covered, and at what cost?
- Could my yearly costs be higher than the monthly price suggests?
- Will my coverage start on the date I need?
About Wilkerson Insurance Agency
Wilkerson Insurance Agency is an independent health insurance agency founded in 2010 by LeRoy Wilkerson. Our office is at 2727 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1062, in Farmers Branch, and we work with clients across Texas by phone or in person. We are licensed in 27 states, including Texas.
Our approach is education first. We explain how a policy works before you need to use it, so a claim or a doctor visit brings fewer surprises.
LeRoy Wilkerson
Owner and Agent
Founded the agency and leads its education-first approach to health insurance.
Kim Taylor
Agent
More than 16 years in insurance, serving individuals, families, and groups in the health market.
Dr. Ndidi "Dee Dee" Ihim
Agent
Licensed pharmacist with more than 10 years of healthcare experience.
Darlene Brown
Agent
More than 20 years in healthcare, including 10 years owning a medical billing business.
Krystal King
Agent
12 years as a dental hygienist before moving into health insurance.
Open Enrollment Questions We Hear Most
If you take no action, your current plan may renew automatically for 2027, sometimes with a new premium, deductible, network, or drug list. If your insurer is ending your plan, it may offer a similar plan, or you may need to choose a new one yourself. To make a change that starts January 1, choose your new plan by December 15. A short coverage review can show whether your renewal still fits your needs.
Read the discontinuation notice from your insurer carefully, because it explains your options and the key dates. Then compare 2027 plans early, so new coverage can start without a gap on January 1. Before you enroll, check that your doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions are covered by the new plan. A licensed agent can compare replacement plans from several insurers and handle the paperwork with you.
Usually yes, but only for a limited time after a qualifying event. Getting married lets you add a spouse, usually within 60 days of the wedding. If your spouse loses other coverage, such as a job-based plan, that can also qualify. Without one of these events, you would add your spouse during Open Enrollment. Our guide on sharing health insurance as a couple explains who can be covered on one plan.
Yes, choosing a plan is only the first step. Your coverage begins after you pay the first monthly premium to the insurance company by the due date it gives you. Watch for the first bill after you enroll, and set up automatic payments if your insurer offers them. If a bill does not arrive, contact the insurer or call us, so your start date is not delayed.
It depends on the new plan's network. Each insurer contracts with its own doctors and hospitals, and networks can change from year to year, even with the same insurer. Before you switch, we check whether your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospital are in network for 2027. If a doctor is out of network, an HMO or EPO plan may not cover that visit except in an emergency.
Usually only if you have a qualifying life event, such as losing other coverage, moving, or having or adopting a child. Without one, you would wait for the next Open Enrollment, unless you choose a product that is not major medical, such as a short-term plan. The federal calendar is on the HealthCare.gov dates and deadlines page, and our guide to coverage after Open Enrollment ends explains your options.
Brokers are paid a commission by the insurance company, not by you. Some products, such as short-term plans, may work differently, so ask your agent before you enroll. We tell you about any cost before you commit, and we compare plans from multiple insurers instead of steering you toward one company.
Helping Clients Across Texas From Farmers Branch
We serve individuals, families, and businesses statewide, and we quote every plan using your ZIP code.
- Dallas, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Farmers Branch, TX
- Plano, TX
- Irving, TX
- Carrollton, TX
- Coppell, TX
- Lewisville, TX
- Grapevine, TX
- Southlake, TX
- Colleyville, TX
- Hurst, TX
- Grand Prairie, TX
- Houston, TX
- Tyler, TX
Get Help Before the December 15 Deadline
You do not have to sort through Open Enrollment alone. Request a coverage review or call 214-501-9613, and a licensed agent will walk through your 2027 options with you.
Updated November 2026. Reviewed by LeRoy Wilkerson, licensed Texas health insurance agent.
Wilkerson Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency. Plan availability, prices, eligibility, and start dates vary by carrier, plan, and ZIP code. A coverage review does not enroll you in a plan.
Wilkerson Insurance Agency, 2727 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1062, Farmers Branch, TX 75234
Ready to compare your 2027 options with a local, licensed agent?
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Independent broker in Farmers Branch: 2727 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1062, Farmers Branch, TX 75234