AUGUSTA, Maine — Open enrollment for 2027 health insurance through CoverME.gov, Maine's official health insurance marketplace, opened Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2027, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace said Friday.

The marketplace is meant for Maine residents who do not get coverage through an employer, Medicare or MaineCare, the state's Medicaid program. The department said it is the only place where eligible residents can get financial help to lower monthly premiums for private insurance.

People who enroll by Dec. 15 will have coverage starting Jan. 1, 2027. Those who sign up between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, 2027, will be covered starting Feb. 1, 2027. After the enrollment period closes, residents need a qualifying life event, such as marriage, divorce, the birth or adoption of a child or the loss of job-based coverage, to sign up. MaineCare enrollment is open year-round.

Officials urged current enrollees to log in and compare 2027 options even if they plan to keep their plans, because premiums, provider networks, covered medications and eligibility for financial help can change from year to year. Enrollees who qualify for financial help pay an average of $178 a month, the department said.

Hilary Schneider, director of the marketplace office, said most plans cover primary care, mental health and specialist visits, urgent care and most prescription drugs "typically for a copay of $20-$60 per service."

During open enrollment for 2026 coverage, more than 58,000 Maine residents signed up through the marketplace, including more than 8,500 new customers, according to the department. Nearly 75% received financial savings.

Free one-on-one help is available from certified brokers, local enrollment assisters and the CoverME.gov Consumer Assistance Center at CoverME.gov/localhelp or (866) 636-0355 (TTY: 711). The office said it will release plan-selection totals every two weeks starting in mid-November.

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