Author: Mike Causey, Insurance Commissioner
This is the time of the year when many people are deciding which health insurance plans will cover them in 2026. The other day, we released the rates for those covered under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for next year.
Rates for the 2026 ACA will go up an average of 28.6% next year. Increased costs in healthcare as well as the expiration of federal subsidies result in premiums going up for many in the individual market.
Open enrollment for the 2026 ACA policies runs from Nov. 1, 2025, to Jan. 15, 2026. Signing up by Dec. 15, 2025, ensures your coverage will begin on Jan. 1, 2026. Coverage for those signing up after Dec. 15, 2025, will begin on Feb. 1, 2026.
People purchasing ACA health insurance need to go to healthcare.gov and find which plan works best for you. It’s more important than ever to begin researching your health insurance options early.
While many may find the increased premiums and absence of subsidies troublesome, it’s important to maintain health insurance. Failure to do so could result in financial ruin for you and your family should you have a serious medical emergency or have a serious accident.
A serious accident or medical emergency could result in tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars in bills from the hospital. The risks of not having insurance could be too great to bear.
In addition to ACA plans, other options may be available. These include:
- Enrolling in job-based coverage. This may be the most affordable option for many individuals and families. If you’re employed and your employer offers health benefits, you may qualify to enroll in health insurance through your employer, even if you declined this coverage in the past. You may also be able to enroll in coverage through your spouse’s employer or, if you’re younger than 26, through your parents’ employer.
- Enrolling in a plan through a private insurer. You may purchase coverage through an agent or broker, or directly from a health insurance company. You may find plans that cost less than the ACA plan. Just be sure they provide the coverage you need.
- Enrolling in a student health plan. If you’re younger than 30 and enrolled in school, you may be eligible for a student health plan. Contact your school to explore this option.
Contact an insurance agent who can listen to your personal situation and help you understand your options. If you’re in good health and don’t think you’ll need medical care, you may want to ask about plans that have higher deductibles and copays as a means of making your monthly premiums lower. This could be a way of managing risks and your budget in case you have an unanticipated health emergency.
You may wish to contact your member of Congress to express your concerns about the subsidy expiration.
If you feel overwhelmed or need assistance understanding your options, feel free to reach out to consumer specialists at the Department of Insurance. We have specialists eager to assist. Give us a call from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 855-408-1212.