The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) projected that average premiums on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces would rise by 26% for the 2026 plan year, which KFF described as the largest rate increase since 2018.
January 01, 2026
high
statistical
KFF projection of marketplace premium changes for the 2026 plan year.
Insurers may raise premiums when they expect subsidy reductions to cause healthier people to drop coverage, because losing healthier enrollees can leave a sicker and more costly insurance risk pool.
January 01, 2026
high
economic_mechanism
General insurance-market mechanism linking expected enrollment changes by health status to premium-setting.
Enhanced tax credits implemented starting in 2021 have helped millions of people enrolled in Affordable Care Act plans reduce their plan costs.
January 01, 2021
high
policy
Broad effect of expanded ACA premium tax credits that began in 2021.