{"id":3822,"date":"2025-12-12T03:42:17","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T03:42:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/12\/private-health-insurance-costs-are-going-up-a-complete-guide-to-your-options-bankrate\/"},"modified":"2025-12-12T03:42:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T03:42:17","slug":"private-health-insurance-costs-are-going-up-a-complete-guide-to-your-options-bankrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ft365.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/12\/private-health-insurance-costs-are-going-up-a-complete-guide-to-your-options-bankrate\/","title":{"rendered":"Private Health Insurance Costs Are Going Up: A Complete Guide to Your Options | Bankrate"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Private health insurance premiums will be going up in 2026 \u2014 in some cases, by a lot.<\/p>\n

Congressional Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked on health care reform, following disagreements over America\u2019s health insurance marketplace that contributed to November\u2019s government shutdown. At the heart of the issue is the extension of the enhanced premium tax credits \u2014 a key part of what has made plans affordable for many people.<\/p>\n

If the enhanced credits currently available to Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace enrollees are allowed to expire for 2026, the Urban Foundation predicts that 7.3 million people will lose their subsidies. Roughly 4.8 million people could become uninsured entirely.<\/p>\n

Monthly premium payments for those who remain enrolled could increase by an average of 114%, according to estimates from KFF, a health policy organization.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Going without health insurance is a recipe for financial ruin. But while most workers get health insurance through their employers, many adults have to purchase coverage on their own. Full-time workers whose employers don\u2019t offer insurance benefits, self-employed professionals, gig workers and early retirees are just a few of the groups that can find themselves in this position.<\/p>\n

The headlines look grim, and experts warn that higher prices are essentially locked in for the next year. But there are still ways to keep your costs in check. Here\u2019s everything you need to know about why health insurance costs are going up, the different options available for coverage \u2014 including ones you should stay away from \u2014 and how you can save.<\/p>\n

Why are health insurance costs going up so much?<\/h2>\n

Health insurance premiums on the ACA Marketplace are set to rise sharply in 2026 due primarily to escalating health care costs and the scheduled expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits.\u00a0<\/p>\n

KFF says inflation in medical spending is a big reason the amounts insurers charge for Marketplace coverage are going up. But higher hospital costs and the rapid growth in the use of high-cost GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound \u2014 as well as concerns about tariffs \u2014 are also playing a role.<\/p>\n

For enrollees, the biggest pinch will come from the expiration of the enhanced credits, which were originally introduced in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and extended through the end of 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act.\u00a0<\/p>\n

These credits expanded the availability of financial assistance for Marketplace enrollees, as well as the eligibility criteria for receiving financial help with premium payments. After they expire, some enrollees will find they no longer qualify for any assistance at all, while others will see the amount of their subsidies decline.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To save on insurance, start with a self-assessment<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re planning to purchase private health insurance in 2026, start by ensuring your existing plan isn\u2019t set to auto-renew, says Rafael Espinal, executive director of the non-profit Freelancers Union. Doing so gives you time to evaluate your options without being automatically opted-in to higher rates (just keep an eye on enrollment deadlines when registering for your new plan).<\/p>\n

Next, assess your personal health and financial situation. All health insurance policies, employer-sponsored or private, involve a trade-off: Pay lower monthly premiums and handle more expenses out of pocket, or pay more upfront for better coverage you may not need. Where you\u2019ll want to land on this spectrum is highly personal and depends on a number of factors.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you an individual that really wants to spend a smaller amount for your premium and then pay larger amounts when you see the physician?\u201d asks Victoria Killian, a Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) and owner of Chronically Advocating. \u201cDo you think you\u2019re ever going to hit that out-of-pocket maximum if you did?\u201d<\/p>\n

Answering the following questions can help inform how you think about that tradeoff, based on your needs and finances:<\/p>\n