Insurers’ Preliminary Rate Filings Anticipate Biggest Increases in ACA Marketplace Plan Premiums Since 2018 July 18, 2025 News Release This analysis of preliminary rate filings submitted by 105 ACA Marketplace insurers in 19 states and DC shows that ACA Marketplace insurers are requesting a median premium increase of 15% for 2026, which would represent the largest hike in premiums since 2018, the last time policy uncertainty contributed to sharp premium growth. The scheduled expiration of enhanced tax credits and impact of tariffs on some drugs, medical equipment, and supplies are among the factors pushing premiums higher
Individual Market Insurers Requesting Largest Premium Increases in More Than 5 Years July 18, 2025 Issue Brief This analysis of preliminary rate filings submitted by 105 ACA Marketplace insurers in 19 states and DC shows that ACA Marketplace insurers are requesting a median premium increase of 15% for 2026, which would represent the largest hike in premiums since 2018, the last time policy uncertainty contributed to sharp premium growth. The scheduled expiration of enhanced tax credits and impact of tariffs on some drugs, medical equipment, and supplies are among the factors pushing premiums higher
Access to OB-GYNs: Evaluating Workforce Supply and ACA Marketplace Networks July 10, 2025 Issue Brief This brief examines the supply of OB-GYNs in the U.S. and the share of OB-GYNs participating in the provider networks of Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) offered in the individual market in the federal and state Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces in 2021.
We’ve Never Seen Health Care Cuts This Big July 1, 2025 Perspective In this July 1 column for The New York Times Opinion section, KFF Executive Vice President for Health Policy Larry Levitt explains how the budget reconciliation bill passed by the Senate on July 1 is effectively a partial repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and, if signed into law,…
Fraud in Marketplace Enrollment and Eligibility: Five Things to Know June 30, 2025 Issue Brief This brief evaluates what is currently known about fraud and abuse in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace, including how the final Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule and the recently enacted budget reconciliation law change existing Marketplace enrollment and eligibility standards.
How Might Changes to the ACA Marketplace Impact Enrollees with Mental Health Conditions? June 27, 2025 Issue Brief This brief estimates the number of current Marketplace enrollees with a mental health diagnosis to understand what changes in enrollment may mean for access to services. Among the 24.3 million Marketplace enrollees in 2025, over 4.4 million individuals are estimated to have at least one mental health diagnosis on a health care claim.
Explaining Cost-Sharing Reductions and Silver Loading in ACA Marketplaces June 26, 2025 Blog The House of Representatives recently passed a budget reconciliation bill that would appropriate funding for cost-sharing reductions that insurers are required to provide to low-income enrollees in the Affordable Care Act marketplace. This policy watch explains what these cost-sharing reductions are, how they relate to federal spending, and what effect appropriating funding might have on premiums and the uninsured rate.
Pending Changes to Marketplace Plans Could Increase Cost Sharing for Consumers June 23, 2025 Blog This brief looks at changes to Marketplace plans recently finalized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that may incentivize insurers to make their plans less generous. With less generous plans, consumers could face higher out-of-pocket costs, though those who don’t qualify for premium tax credits could see lower premiums.
Senate Finance Language Would Further Cut Federal Spending for Medicaid Expansion States June 20, 2025 Blog Prior KFF analysis allocated CBO’s federal Medicaid spending reductions and enrollment losses across the states, and this policy watch builds on that analysis to examine the potential impacts in expansion states compared with non-expansion states.
How Will the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Affect the ACA, Medicaid, and the Uninsured Rate? June 18, 2025 Blog This analysis details the number of people who would become uninsured from policy changes in the ACA Marketplaces and Medicaid. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that, taken together, these changes will result in 16 million more uninsured people in the year 2034 than would otherwise be the case.