Higher premium payments could await most Marketplace enrollees

View in browser NEW & NOTEWORTHY KFF Resources for Navigating the 2026 ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment  Higher premium payments could await most Marketplace enrollees  With the start of Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment just days away, a growing number of Marketplace enrollees are previewing their 2026 insurance premiums and receiving notifications about changes to their out-of-pocket costs for coverage.    As these changes take shape, most Marketplace enrollees can expect to see higher premiums for ACA plans and, if the enhanced premium tax credits expire at the end of the year, significantly higher out-of-pocket premium payments. Insurers are increasing what they charge for a benchmark plan in the ACA marketplace by an average of 26%. Those premium increases, combined with the fact that enhanced ACA tax credits may expire, mean that the 22 million ACA enrollees who receive those tax credits would see their out-of-pocket premiums rise by 114% next year to keep the same plan, from an average of $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026. These higher costs, combined with having to repay any excess premium credits at tax time, could lead to significant coverage losses and push a growing number of ACA enrollees into bronze and catastrophic health plans with lower premiums and higher deductibles over the coming years, according to a new KFF analysis of key changes to watch in the marketplaces.   ACA open enrollment begins on Saturday, November 1 (in all states except Idaho), and ends on January 15, 2026 (in most states). KFF's open enrollment resources can help new and returning Marketplace enrollees navigate the latest ACA policy changes:   Calculator: ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit allows users to estimate how much they would save on their 2026 premiums payments if the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits are extended in their current form before the end of the year. About 200 Marketplace FAQs help users find answers to common questions about open enrollment and the Marketplaces, including more than 150 in Spanish.    State Health Facts on the Affordable Care Act offers the latest state and national data on ACA premiums, premium tax credits, enrollment, and more, including new data for 2026.   Video Explainers on the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits. These short videos explain the debate over extending the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits that is a key factor in the Congressional standoff that shut down the federal government. Explore the resources CONTACT:   Craig Palosky | 202.654.1369 | CraigP@kff.org    When citing our work, please note our name is KFF, which is our legal operating name. We should be cited as KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling, and news organization. We no longer use the name Kaiser Family Foundation.  Did someone forward this to you? Sign up for emails from KFF. This email was sent to awesomeblogger71.lificletter@blogger.com. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Or, permanently unsubscribe from all future emails. Need assistance? Email subscriptions@kff.org; do not reply to this email. The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news. KFF, 185 Berry Street, Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107