Individuals seeking health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace can now begin comparing plan prices for 2026. The “window shopping” period allows potential enrollees to assess their options, but actual enrollment will not commence until November 1, 2025. Consumers have until January 15, 2026, to select their coverage.
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), prices for marketplace plans have increased this year. Nearly 60% of eligible re-enrollees will find a plan in their chosen category costing $50 or less per month after tax credits, a significant decrease from 83% last year. This decline indicates that fewer individuals will have access to low-cost options, resulting in more consumers potentially facing higher premiums.
A report by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reveals that insurers are raising prices by an average of 26% for 2026 coverage. Specifically, benchmark silver plan premiums—critical for determining federal tax credits—are expected to increase by 17% in states operating their own marketplaces and by 30% in states using HealthCare.gov.
The rising costs of health care have become a contentious issue in Washington D.C., especially during the ongoing government shutdown. Democrats are advocating for extensions to enhanced ACA subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. They argue that without congressional action, millions of Americans will face significantly higher premiums. In contrast, Republicans are insisting that the government should reopen first before discussing health care reforms.
Currently, the prices displayed on HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces assume that these enhanced subsidies will remain in place. Should Congress allow them to lapse, actual out-of-pocket expenses could rise considerably when coverage takes effect in 2026.
As consumers navigate their health insurance options, the implications of these premium increases will undoubtedly affect decision-making in the coming months. The interaction between legislative action and market pricing will be closely monitored as the open enrollment period approaches.
