The notice is the boss. AI explains it. You check every number.
New to this? Try the practice first.
Have Medicare? You generally don't use the Marketplace. For your Medicare plan's notice, see Guide 9.
Step 1: Cover your private details
- Cover every name, your address, Social Security number and every ID number.
- Pasting? Delete those details first. Photo? Cover them with paper.
Step 2: Ask AI what changes next year
- Paste the prompt below. Add your notice after it, as text or a photo. Send.
- Got 2 letters? Do one at a time.
Explain my health insurance Marketplace renewal notice below in plain words. List what changes next year: the plan name, full monthly premium, tax credit, amount I pay each month, deductible and copays. For each one, show this year, next year and the change. Next to each number, quote the exact line from the notice. Show the math. List every date and deadline. Say what the notice asks me to do and what happens if I do nothing. If something is not in the notice, write "NOT IN NOTICE." Do not add facts from outside the notice. If you are unsure, write "NOT SURE." Do not tell me which plan to pick. Do not estimate my tax credit. Do not give tax or legal advice. Do not give me phone numbers or links.
Step 3: Check every number on the paper
- Find each quoted line on your notice yourself. No quote? Don't trust it.
- Check every amount and date, digit by digit.
- Full premium, minus the tax credit, should match what you pay each month.
Step 4: Skip any advice from AI
- Did AI pick a plan, guess your tax credit or give tax advice? Skip that part.
- The plan choice is yours.
- Your tax credit is based on next year's expected income. Income or household changed? Update your application.
Step 5: Go to the official site yourself
- Type HealthCare.gov into your browser yourself. Log in there. Never use a link or number from a text, email or surprise call.
- Or call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325). Open 24 hours, every day, except holidays. Check this number on HealthCare.gov first.
- State Marketplace? Use its own site, number and dates. Find yours on HealthCare.gov's Marketplace in your state page.
When your notice comes
- These dates are for HealthCare.gov. A state Marketplace sets its own dates. Check them on its site.
- Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
- Pick a plan by December 15 to start January 1. Pick by January 15 to start February 1.
- Do nothing by December 15? You may be re-enrolled automatically. Your plan or price can change.
- Coverage starts only after you pay your first premium.
- Look for 2 letters by November 1. One is from the Marketplace, one from your insurance company.
- No Marketplace letter? Log in and check your messages. No insurer letter? Call your insurer.
- For example, California's Open Enrollment runs November 1 to January 31. Idaho's runs October 15 to December 15.
- Live in Oregon? For 2027, you enroll at ExploreHealthOR.gov, not HealthCare.gov.
Checked: HealthCare.gov (dates, renewal, letters, income, contact, state and Medicare pages); coveredca.com; yourhealthidaho.org, Oct 17, 2026.
Practice notice
PRACTICE - NOT REAL. Made up for this guide. Do not call the number.
This made-up notice has 3 things to ask about. Can you find them?
==================== PRACTICE - NOT REAL ====================
PRACTICE COVERAGE OFFICE - NOT A REAL MARKETPLACE
Your 2027 Renewal Notice
All names, numbers and amounts are made up.
Notice date: October 28, 2026
To: Pat Sample
Address: 123 Practice Lane, Sampletown, ZZ 00000
Application ID: XXXX-XXXX-0000
Questions: (212) 555-0138
Your 2026 plan: Bluebird Silver 2000 (made up)
Your 2027 plan: Bluebird Silver 2500 (made up)
If you do nothing, we will enroll you in your 2027 plan.
2026 2027
Full monthly premium $612.00 $689.00
Tax credit each month -$455.00 -$398.00
You pay each month $157.00 $291.00
Yearly deductible $2,000 $2,500
Primary care visit $30 copay $30 copay
Your 2027 tax credit uses the income we have on file.
Update your income for 2027 to get the right amount.
Pick a plan by December 15, 2026 to start January 1, 2027.
Open Enrollment ends January 15, 2027.
These amounts are made up for practice.
They are not real 2027 prices or tax credits.
==================== PRACTICE - NOT REAL ====================To practice with AI: paste the prompt, then this notice. Send. Check its answer with Steps 3 and 4.
How did you do? A good AI answer:
- Shows 2026, 2027 and the change for each line, with quotes, like "$291.00."
- Says the full premium went up $77.00, but the tax credit went down $57.00. So you pay $134.00 more each month.
- Flags the new plan name and the deductible going from $2,000 to $2,500.
- Says the primary care copay stays $30.
- Lists December 15, 2026 (for January 1) and January 15, 2027. Says doing nothing means you are enrolled in the 2027 plan.
- Notes the tax credit uses the income on file. Does not guess what your tax credit should be.
- Does not pick a plan. Gives no tax advice, phone number or link.