Enrollment for Affordable Care Act Marketplace Now Open

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace opened for enrollment on November 1, and this year, the average monthly premium for a mid-tier insurance plan jumped by 26%, reaching $625. This increase, noted by KFF, a health research nonprofit, marks the highest rise in ACA premiums since 2018.

For many who depend on this program for health insurance, this surge has been quite alarming. Jeremy Tolbert, a 47-year-old web developer from Lawrence, Kansas, shared his distress with CBS News. After logging into his state’s marketplace, he was shocked to find that his monthly premiums were set to rise from $2,200 in 2025 to $2,600 next year. And that’s not all; he will also face even higher out-of-pocket costs, particularly in 2026. This affects him, his wife, and their 11-year-old son.

“I’m already dedicating a hefty chunk of my income to this insurance,” he expressed. “What exactly am I getting for this?”

Around 24 million Americans rely on ACA plans for their health insurance. The reported 26% hike in premiums for silver plans reflects what consumers are being charged through the Marketplace. Currently, many individuals enjoy lower-than-average rates under the ACA, helped by premium tax credits from KFF. However, these credits are set to expire at the end of 2025, a development that’s concerning given ongoing economic uncertainties and the possibility of a government shutdown.

KFF estimates that for about 22 million people who depend on these premium tax credits, their ACA plan costs could more than double by 2026. Even those who don’t qualify for the credit, like Tolbert, may experience substantial premium hikes next year. This increase is mainly driven by higher demand for expensive treatments and rising fees from hospitals and healthcare providers. Cynthia Cox from KFF warned that the looming expiration of tax credits could leave millions uninsured next year.

“The main issue is the increasing costs of healthcare overall,” Cox stated. “It boils down to rising costs for medical services, hospital stays, doctor visits, and medications.”

Reflecting on past trends, she mentioned that similar premium increases were seen in 2017 and 2018, during the time when the ACA faced potential repeal under President Trump.

Julie Margetta Morgan, president of the Century Foundation, expressed concern that soaring ACA premiums might leave some individuals without coverage. During a conference call with the left-leaning economic group Groundwork Collaborative, she noted, “Some people will have to opt for less expensive plans. This could lead to higher deductibles,” urging that consumers might have to spend even more out-of-pocket next year.

Though dropping health insurance might appear to be a financial solution as costs go up in 2026, the repercussions could be severe, according to KFF’s Cox. “It’s essentially risking both your health and financial stability,” she added. “I genuinely can’t predict what will happen.”

Meanwhile, Tolbert worried that if premiums continue to escalate, ACA coverage might become unattainable for many families. He speculated that he or his wife—a stay-at-home parent—might need to seek employment with a larger company to secure health insurance.

“If things keep heading this way, it’ll be just one to three years before people can no longer afford the plan,” he said.