Breaking: ACA Marketplace Premiums Poised for Significant Jump in 2026
Insurers participating in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace are proposing a median premium increase of 15% for 2026, a substantial shift from recent years of relatively stable or modest growth. This analysis, covering over 100 insurers across 20 states and the District of Columbia, reveals that a significant portion, 27%, are seeking increases of 20% or more. This contrasts sharply with the previous year, when only 3% of insurers proposed such steep hikes. Furthermore, no insurers have put forward rate decreases for 2026, a departure from prior years where some insurers did offer premium reductions.
For context, the median proposed premium increase for 2025 was 7%, with the average increase in benchmark silver premiums – the basis for federal subsidies – standing at approximately 4%. The current analysis defines an insurer’s premium increase as its weighted average percentage change across all its plan offerings within a state, encompassing bronze, silver, gold, and platinum tiers. These figures may differ from changes to the benchmark silver plan premium alone.
Finalized rate changes for 2026 are anticipated in late summer, with individuals gaining access to specific plan premium adjustments shortly before the open enrollment period begins on November 1. The states included in this analysis are Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington, along with the District of Columbia.
