People can now shop, compare plans, find savings, and enroll in 2027 health coverage at ExploreHealthOR.gov.
SALEM — Open Enrollment for 2027 health coverage is now underway, and people in Oregon have a new place to shop for health insurance: Explore Health.
Explore Health, Oregon’s new state-based health insurance marketplace, officially launched Nov. 1. It replaces the federal platform HealthCare.gov as the place for people in Oregon to shop for private health coverage, find out if they can get financial help, and enroll in a health plan.
Open Enrollment for private insurance through Explore Health runs from Nov. 1, 2026, through Jan. 15, 2027.
“This is an important milestone for Oregon and for the people we serve,” said Chiqui Flowers, director of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, part of Oregon Health Authority (OHA). “With Explore Health, people can now shop for coverage through a Marketplace designed and operated here in Oregon. Our goal is to make it easier for people to understand their options, find savings, and get the best coverage that works for them.”
What people need to know
People who buy their own health insurance can now visit ExploreHealthOR.gov to:
- Shop and compare health and dental plans available for 2027.
- Find out how much federal financial help (premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions) they may qualify for to lower the cost of coverage.
- Enroll in a plan for 2027.
- Get free help from trained insurance agents and community partners across Oregon.
People who have 2026 Marketplace coverage through HealthCare.gov are being moved to Explore Health for 2027. They do not need to start over with a new application. During Open Enrollment, they should claim their Explore Health account, sign in to review their information, compare available plans and savings, and choose the coverage that best meets their health care needs and budget.
People who are currently enrolled in Oregon Health Plan (OHP), OHP Bridge, Medicare, employer-sponsored coverage, or other health coverage generally do not need to enroll through Explore Health.
A new Marketplace built for Oregon
The launch of Explore Health marks Oregon’s transition from the federally facilitated HealthCare.gov system and customer service center to a state-based marketplace operated entirely by Oregon. The Oregon Legislature authorized the transition in 2023 through Senate Bill 972.
By operating its own Marketplace, Oregon has more control over the technology and services people use to enroll in coverage, better access to data to understand and respond to the needs of people across the state, and greater flexibility to adapt to changing state and federal policies. It also allows Oregon to better connect the Marketplace with state programs and resources.
Explore Health includes a new online enrollment platform, a dedicated Consumer Assistance Center, and tools for community partners and insurance agents who help people enroll.
“Launching Explore Health is an important step in Oregon’s commitment to helping people get and stay covered,” said Fariborz Pakseresht, interim director of OHA. “Bringing the Marketplace home to Oregon gives us new opportunities to better understand the needs of the people we serve, respond to changes that affect their coverage, and create a more connected experience for people seeking health care coverage.”
Free help is available
People do not have to navigate health coverage on their own. Free, local help is available from certified assisters at community partner organizations and licensed insurance agents.
Visit ExploreHealthOR.gov to get started and find enrollment help.
People can also contact the Explore Health Consumer Assistance Center at 855-268-3767 (all relay calls welcome) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time on Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pacific Time on Saturday during Open Enrollment.
Open Enrollment through Explore Health ends Jan. 15, 2027. People should enroll by Dec. 31 for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2027.
About Explore Health
Explore Health is Oregon’s health insurance marketplace, operated by the Oregon Health Authority. Explore Health helps people who do not have health coverage through a job or a public program shop for private health insurance, find financial help and enroll in coverage. Learn more at ExploreHealthOR.gov.
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Una versión en español de esta historia está en línea en www.columbiagorgenews.com/enespanol.
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