Americans shopping for Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace insurance plans during open enrollment – which began this Saturday – are experiencing confusion and dramatically more expensive premiums. This includes five million older Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 who purchase insurance through the ACA.
Prices were expected to increase in 2026 for most plans, but gridlock over extending ACA tax credits – which are set to expire at the end of this year – is intensifying the uptick, with premiums
expected to spike by an average of 114 percent. First implemented in 2021, the subsidies reduced out-of-pocket health care costs and increased the number of Americans with health insurance.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the ACA sign-up process, it’s very important for Americans to evaluate their options. Patients have until December 15 to purchase coverage for January 1 of
next year on the federal website healthcare.gov. Deadlines vary for those using state specific marketplaces to purchase plans.
Health experts are encouraging patients to purchase plans based on the current sticker price. If a plan’s premiums are unaffordable without subsidies, then it’s probably not a good buy for this
upcoming year. The Trump Administration is pushing so-called “catastrophic” plans as a more affordable alternative, but deductibles and premiums for these options are often still expensive, have high deductibles, and cover fewer services.
“This summer, Republicans passed a tax law that gave billions of dollars in tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and corporations. They should be working just as hard to renew tax credits that keep health care affordable for millions,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “The American public wants ACA subsidies renewed. It’s time for Congress to fix the health care crisis and reopen the government.”
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