2026 Marketplace premiums are up for many Americans
Many people shopping for 2026 coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace will see higher premiums because enhanced federal premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. The size of the increase depends on income, age, household size, state, and the plan you choose.
Many Americans shopping for 2026 Marketplace coverage are seeing higher monthly premiums because the enhanced federal premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. For some households, the change is modest. For others, especially older adults and people with higher incomes, the difference can be much larger.
The exact amount depends on your income, age, household size, state, and the plan you pick. That is why an official eligibility check matters before you assume coverage is out of reach.
What changed
The enhanced premium tax credits were a temporary expansion of federal help for Marketplace plans. They capped what many people paid each month and made subsidies available more broadly. With that extra help gone, some enrollees still qualify for a smaller tax credit, but others no longer qualify for any federal premium assistance.
Analyses from KFF estimate that average premium payments for subsidized enrollees more than doubled in 2026 compared with 2025 if the enhanced credits expired. KFF also found that the biggest increases fall on people with incomes above 400% of the federal poverty level, who can lose all subsidy help.
Who feels it most
People above 400% of the federal poverty level are especially likely to feel the increase because they may no longer qualify for premium help at all. KFF also says older adults are hit harder because many people in their late 50s and early 60s already faced higher base premiums before the subsidy change.
That does not mean every older adult will lose help. Many people over age 50 will still qualify for some credit, but often less than before. The size of the premium increase can also differ depending on whether a person is willing to switch to a lower-premium plan with a higher deductible.
What official guidance says now
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says the 2026 Marketplace open enrollment period runs from November 1, 2025, through January 15, 2026. Consumers who selected a plan by December 15, 2025, could get coverage that started January 1, 2026; later sign-ups could start February 1, 2026.
HealthCare.gov also says people who do not qualify for the premium tax credit because their income is too high can still apply for Marketplace coverage. In some cases, they may also qualify for Medicaid, CHIP, or a Special Enrollment Period tied to a life event such as moving, losing other coverage, getting married, or having a baby.
What readers can do next
If you buy coverage on the Marketplace, compare more than the monthly premium. Deductibles, copays, provider networks, and prescription coverage can change the real cost of a plan.
If your income changed, check eligibility again. If you recently had a qualifying life event, ask whether you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. If Marketplace coverage looks unaffordable, review Medicaid and CHIP options as well.
The main takeaway is simple: premiums, tax credits, and total out-of-pocket costs can vary widely from one household to another, so an official eligibility check is the safest way to know what you will pay.
Sources
Editorial note: Weence articles are researched from cited public-health, medical, regulatory, journal, and reputable news sources and may be drafted with AI assistance. They are checked for source support, clarity, and safety guardrails before publication.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Research findings can be early or incomplete, and health guidance can change. Always talk with a qualified healthcare professional about personal symptoms, diagnosis, medications, vaccines, screenings, or treatment decisions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call emergency services right away.
