Home Affordable Care Act Topics

Affordable Care Act

The ACA MarketplaceS

Change in February effectuated enrollment, by state, 2025-2026

How Has ACA Marketplace Enrollment Changed Across States in 2026?

ACA Marketplace enrollment fell this year in every state except New Mexico, which was the only state to fully replace the enhanced premium tax credits that expired last year with a state-funded subsidy, according to a new KFF analysis of effectuated enrollment data. The Marketplace enrollment decline—the first in seven years—follows several years of rapid enrollment growth and coincides with the end of the enhanced federal subsidies.

How Much and Why ACA Marketplace Premiums Are Going Up in 2027

ACA Marketplaces insurers are proposing a median premium increase of 15% in 2027, according to KFF’s updated analysis of 276 insurers with publicly available filings across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. This is the second consecutive year of double-digit premium hikes. Last year’s median nationwide proposed rate change was 18%, and the median finalized rate change was 20%. While this proposed rate change is lower than last year, it represents the second-highest requested rate change since 2018, as premium growth had been relatively flat in this market for several years.

About the ACA

Promotional image for KFF video How Affordable is the Affordable Care Act

Did the Affordable Care Act Make Health Care More Affordable?

The expiration of the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits at the start of 2026, combined with rising insurer premiums, put a spotlight on health care affordability that extends beyond Marketplace enrollees. KFF’s Cynthia Cox examines the ACA’s record and the broader underlying question it raises: what’s a fair price for Americans people to pay for health care?

Latest News

More KFF Health News

Stay informed.

Get KFF's latest on the Affordable Care Act

Stay informed.

Get KFF's
latest on the Affordable
Care Act

View the Latest: Affordable Care Act

Filter

List Grid

1,081-1,090 of 2,788 results

  • ¿Mi plan de salud estudiantil tiene que cubrir la anticoncepción? Y, si no, ¿cuáles son mis opciones?

    FAQs

    Depende del tipo de cobertura que ofrezca su universidad. Generalmente, sí, si se trata de un plan "Totalmente asegurado". Estos planes deben proporcionar, sin costo compartido, acceso a todos los métodos anticonceptivos aprobados por la Administración de Drogas y Alimentos (FDA), procedimientos de esterilización, educación y asesoramiento para pacientes ordenados por un profesional de la salud. Si su plan de salud estudiantil es "autoasegurado", la cobertura de anticonceptivos depende de qué servicios estén cubiertos, lo…

  • Calculo que mis ingresos el próximo año serán muy bajos, así que necesito pagar por adelantado todo el subsidio para las primas. Si, para fin de año, resulta que mis ingresos anuales fueron incluso meno...

    FAQs

    No, el monto final de su subsidio para las primas se determinará en base a sus ingresos del año, según lo declarado en su declaración de impuestos. El hecho de que haya sido menor de lo esperado no significa que tenga que devolver el subsidio que recibió por adelantado, incluso si hubiera podido calificar para Medicaid. De hecho, el monto final de su crédito probablemente sea mayor que la cantidad que recibió por adelantado. (Esto…

  • Traté de renovar mi mismo plan para el próximo año, pero la aseguradora dice que olvidé un pago y que no me permitirán continuar con la cobertura hasta que pague la prima que debo. ¿Pueden hacer eso?

    FAQs

    No. Las aseguradoras no pueden exigir a quienes adeudan primas atrasadas que paguen la deuda antes de renovar la cobertura por un año más. Debe tener autorización para renovar, y el pago del 1 de enero no se podrá aplicar a la prima atrasada que adeude. De ahora en adelante, tenga en cuenta que las aseguradoras pueden cancelar su cobertura si no paga las primas. Si recibe subsidios para las primas por anticipado (APTC), las…

  • What kinds of health insurance plans do private enrollment websites sell?

    FAQs

    Private enrollment websites that are run by insurance companies typically only show plans offered by that insurer. Websites run by insurance brokers are required to show all plans offered by multiple insurers. If you have questions or concerns about information on these sites, contact the Marketplace call center, HealthCare.gov, or your state Marketplace. Many private enrollment websites also sell short-term health plans, cancer-only policies, and other less comprehensive products. These products may appear cheaper than…

  • The Spotlight Is on Medicaid Cuts, But the ACA Marketplaces Could See a One-Third Cut in Enrollment

    From Drew Altman

    In his latest column, President and CEO Drew Altman shows how proposals contained in the House reconciliation bill could result in a one-third reduction in ACA Marketplace enrollment. “While all eyes are on the big Medicaid cuts being proposed in the House,” he writes, “significant changes are also being proposed that together would dramatically reduce enrollment in the ACA Marketplaces.”

  • Explaining Cost-Sharing Reductions and Silver Loading in ACA Marketplaces

    Policy Watch

    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.

  • Acabo de conseguir un trabajo con seguro médico, pero el seguro de mis padres es mejor y más económico. ¿Puedo seguir con el seguro de mis padres?

    FAQs

    Sí, puede permanecer en el plan de sus padres hasta los 26 años si ellos tienen cobertura a través del trabajo, o hasta el final del año en el que cumpla 26 si tienen cobertura del mercado. Ser elegible para recibir beneficios de salud a través de tu trabajo no te invalida para estar cubierto como dependiente en el plan de tus padres.

  • Matching Health Benefit Packages to Health Needs: Key Issues To Consider In Health Reform

    Event Date:
    Event

    Three reports and a video collectively examine the range of health care needs and costs that people face today against the backdrop of the scope of health coverage that may be available to them under health reform. Children and Health Care Reform: Assuring Coverage That Meets Their Health Care Needs and Individuals With Special Needs and Health Reform: Adequacy of Health Insurance Coverage examine the needs of children and adults, respectively, focusing on those with…

  • Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports: Key Changes in the Health Reform Law

    Issue Brief

    This issue brief examines new opportunities under the health reform law for states to balance their Medicaid long-term care delivery systems by expanding access to Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) programs. The brief outlines key provisions of the new law that expand HCBS benefit options, broaden financial and functional eligibility criteria, and provide additional financial incentives for states to further shift their Medicaid long-term services budgets to non-institutional settings. Issue Brief (.pdf)

  • Physician Workforce: The Next Generation

    Event Date:
    Event

    The new health reform law poses questions about how the increase in the insured population will affect the demand on the health care workforce. Will it increase the shortage among primary care physicians? What about specialists? How much of the workforce shortage can be alleviated by payment incentives in the new law for both primary care and general surgery, and other new incentives to practice in underserved areas? Are there enough effective efforts in place…