For many Americans, health insurance prices will rise in 2026 thanks to the ACA premium subsidy expiration.Some people will not be affected much by these rate hikes.Others — especially those who earn more than 400% or more of the US federal poverty level — will see major changes to their insurance premiums.

If you do not understand the rate hikes of the ACA premium subsidy expiration of 2026, settle in for a thoughtful discussion.We will help you discover if you are affected by the ACA subsidy expiration; and if so, how much it may cost.Get Educated on Your Health Insurance Costs in 2026 topics can be complicated.

As licensed insurance agents at , our goal is to educate American consumers about their insurance needs and help them decide when to shop around.Keep reading to learn: First, let’s go over a few words and phrases consumers should know.Important Health Insurance Vocabulary You Should Know This year, you may hear a lot about changes to American health insurance.

A good understanding of the following terms will help consumers know what is happening.Now, let’s have a quick refresher on the Affordable Care Act / “Obamacare.” What is the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or “Obamacare”)? signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, which made huge changes to the US healthcare system.Before the ACA, many people lived without health insurance because they could be denied coverage based on their pre-existing conditions.

Others did not buy health insurance because of the costs, and some people with health conditions faced high out-of-pocket expenses even when they had insurance.The goal of ACA was to address these issues.And in some ways, it helped many people.

Others were less impressed, because their healthcare costs increased, or coverage changed in ways they felt unneeded.The ACA Standardized the Types of Policies Offered by Insurers We’ve written extensively on the before.One of the major changes was the metal tier system, which standardized offerings of all insurers in the nation.

In short, a Platinum Plan at Company A will always provide the same coverage as a Platinum Plan at companies B and C.During the COVID Pandemic, the US Government Provided Subsidies for ACA We hate to bring up and the pandemic.Still, the US government provided extra funding, called subsidies, to help taxpayers cover health insurance costs in 2021.

These funds were meant to be temporary, and to ensure that people could afford health insurance during difficult times.In early 2026, the big news is that ACA premium subsidy is expiring.Who Will Be Affected by the Premium Subsidy Expiration of 2026? The final numbers are not yet available.

However, some say the average middle-income family will pay 114% more for their ACA health insurance plan this year.This is considerably more than the usual 26% increase we’ve seen over the last five years.Details About the Impact of Tax Credit Expiry on Coverage Individuals who earn more than 400% of the federal poverty level will see the most significant cost increases.

Again, we are not sure precisely how much more health insurance will cost in 2027 when premiums rise.But see the table below for the numbers to see if you are affected.What is 400% of the US Federal Poverty Level (FPL) in 2026? The US Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is a dollar amount that describes a family’s annual income.

Only families earning 400% (or four times) the 2026 FPL will see the most expensive changes to their health insurance premiums.Family Size Federal Poverty Level (Annual Income) 400% (4 times) Federal Poverty Level Income 1 $15,650 $62,600 2 $21,150 $84,600 3 $26,650 $106,600 4 $32,150 $128,600 5 $37,650 $150,600 According to KFF.org, roughly 40% of all American families are expected to meet that 400% marker this year.If you pay close attention to your wages during the year, you may be able to dodge huge changes to your health insurance costs by staying right under that 4 times FPL line.

It may be a good idea to skip some overtime hours in 2026! ACA Marketplace Cost Increases Anyone who has an ACA health plan (but makes less than 400% of FPL) will probably see an increase in their health insurance premium prices.And that increase might be around 26%, as it has been every year since COVID-19.Then again, insurers may hit consumers with a much larger increase.

No one is really certain at this point.When Will We Know More About ACA Premium Changes in 2026? People can make changes to their ACA plans during the open enrollment period, which usually begins on November 1.We suppose we will see final numbers just before open enrollment season.

But again, no one really knows.We are sure it will be well covered by the news media.Who Will NOT be Affected by the ACA Premium Subsidy Expiration in 2026? This is a key point for many consumers! The ACA funding end DOES NOT AFFECT people who: In short, if you qualify for one of these programs, or could qualify soon because you’re having a baby or retiring in 2026, this may be the right time to get out of your ACA plan entirely and find other insurance, especially if you’re earning 4 times FPL.

Next, let’s explore other reasons health insurance prices are rising.Then, we’ll discuss some ways you can combat these costs.Other Reasons Health Insurance Prices are Rising You have likely noticed price increases with all your insurance products.

We’re talking about: The only insurance costs which stay static are , because those prices are locked in for your whole life.Like everything else one buys, health insurance prices increase nearly every year thanks to inflation.About Inflation and Insurance According to the (the FED), inflation is an “increase in the prices of goods and services over time.” Furthermore, “Inflation cannot be measured by an increase in the cost of one product or service, or even several products or services.” Inflation affects the prices of everything! From candy bars to kitty litter, to health insurance.

The US dollar is worth a little less every year.that in 2026, experts think inflation will be about 2%.That’s a good number, because 2.5% is average.

And it’s much better than the 6% to 8% we endured in 2022! Still, if you purchase a single Bronze tier health insurance plan for $3,000 per year, you can expect an inflation-based price increase of $60, or 2%.If you spend $10,000 on a Platinum plan, you can expect an increase of $200, just for inflation.Then, there are changes to healthcare costs which hammer insurers.

How Changes to Healthcare Costs Affect Insurance Costs Inflation affects every item used at a hospital or healthcare setting.Labor prices also increase often, and legislation can raise or lower prices.We’re talking about: Since insurance comes into play after your deductible is paid, and will pay just about everything beyond that, insurers expect to pay more for the same care every year.

Gold is a big mover this year and deserves a special mention.How Gold Prices Affect Healthcare Costs have skyrocketed.At the time of writing, gold cost $4,900/oz.

Ten years ago, gold was $1,200/oz.That is a 300% price increase in a period of 10 years.What does gold have to do with your health care and health insurance? Everything! Gold is used in medications and medical devices.

It is used to target lasers which treat prostate cancer and brain cancer.It is used to treat arthritis, to build stents for people with heart disease, and to coat sensitive diodes used for diagnostics.Insurers and healthcare providers make agreements every year to cover these costs, and every year they increase significantly.

These costs are passed to the consumer.Other Factors Which Affect Health Insurance Prices Insurance costs are enmeshed in our economy.If your state increases the minimum wage, or if tariffs affect the price of an imported medication, prices for healthcare coverage can change.

One thing is certain, however.Your price or eligibility for health insurance WILL NOT change based on your preexisting, current health conditions.Even if you are pregnant, unwell or have a condition that may become expensive to treat in the future, an insurer cannot charge you extra or refuse your business.

Now that we’ve covered all there is to know about ACA price changes coming in 2026, let’s discuss how to shop for health insurance online.How to Shop for Health Insurance Online: Try Einsurance.com You can buy new health insurance all year long through Einsurance.com!  We are proud to offer private insurance plans, small group insurance plans (for small businesses), Medicare supplement plans, short-term insurance plans, and more.Just visit our handy website, enter some details, and we will have health insurance providers competing for your business.

Yes, shopping for health insurance online can be a minor hassle, but it is worth a few hours of your attention if it saves thousands of dollars.You can also wait until November 1 and check your state’s ACA marketplace online.There, you will be offered Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze plans.

Remember, the coverages are the same from one provider to the next for every metal tier.So, you only need to pay attention to the price, the formulary, and the provider (if you have a favorite).Our Final Thoughts on the 2026 ACA Premium Subsidy Expiration The final numbers are yet to be shown.

And there is still a chance federal and some state governments will find other subsidy money during the year.Still, as experienced health insurance agents at Einsurance.com, we expect November 2026 to be a busy season.Consumers will shop around for more affordable plans, and they may drop from a high-cost Platinum or Gold plan to a less expensive Bronze or Silver plan if their needs for medication and treatment are met.

Experts suggest many families may find themselves unable to pay their higher health insurance bills and will become uninsured.We are not sure how that will play out, as those extra high price increases are meant to affect the highest earners.It will be an interesting autumn in the industry, of that we are certain.