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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

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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?

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  • I received a Form 1095-A from the Marketplace. What is that?

    FAQs

    Form 1095-A gives you information about the amount of advance premium tax credit (APTC) you received during the previous year. A copy of this form is also reported to the IRS. Keep this form with your other tax records. The APTC you received was based on the annual income you estimated you would earn when you signed up for Marketplace coverage. Now you must file a federal income tax return to compute your actual income for that coverage…

  • I had a Marketplace plan last year, but paid the full premium myself because I made too much to qualify for premium tax credits. When I did my taxes though, my income for the year ended up being less th...

    FAQs

    Yes. Premium tax credits can be claimed in advance (during the year) or when you file your taxes. To claim the credit, you will need to file a federal income tax return and Form 8962. Follow the instructions on Form 8962 to determine the amount of tax credit you should receive as a refund when you file your taxes.

  • What is Form 8962?

    FAQs

    If you received an advanced premium tax credit (APTC) through the Marketplace last year, you must file a Form 8962 with your federal income tax return in order to "reconcile" your estimated and actual income for the year, even if you estimated your income perfectly. You can get a blank Form 8962 from the IRS website, or, if you use tax preparation software, the form will be automatically generated for you. The instructions for Form…

  • What happens if I’m late with a monthly health insurance premium payment?

    FAQs

    It depends on whether you are receiving advanced premium tax credits. If you receive a premium tax credit, your insurer must provide a 90-day grace period to pay all past-due premiums. If the amount owed for all outstanding premium payments is not paid in full by the end of the grace period, the insurer can terminate coverage. However, the grace period only applies if you have paid at least one month’s premium within the current…

  • I’ve picked the plan I want. What do I do next, and where do I send my premium payments?

    FAQs

    Your enrollment in the health plan is not complete until the insurance company receives your first premium payment. Once you’ve selected your plan, the Marketplace will direct you to your insurance company’s website to make the first premium payment. In most states, you will make your premium payments directly to the health insurance company. Insurance companies must accept different forms of payment, including for those who do not have a credit card or bank account.…

  • Will people in hurricane- or wildfire-affected areas have more time to sign up for coverage?

    FAQs

    Yes, although the extension is not automatic. In HealthCare.gov states, you must apply for the extra time using an Exceptional Circumstances special enrollment period (SEP). You can apply for this SEP by calling the federal Marketplace call center at 1-800-318-2596. You will have to attest to residing in -- or moving from -- areas affected by a disaster event during an enrollment period you were eligible for. Affected areas are those designated by the Federal…

  • I have COBRA, but it’s too expensive. Can I drop it during Marketplace Open Enrollment and enroll in a Marketplace plan instead?

    FAQs

    During Marketplace Open Enrollment, you can sign up for a Marketplace plan even if you already have COBRA. You will have to drop your COBRA coverage effective on the date your new Marketplace plan coverage begins. After Marketplace Open Enrollment ends, however, if you voluntarily drop your COBRA coverage or stop paying premiums, you will not be eligible for a special enrollment opportunity to enroll in a Marketplace plan and will have to wait until…

  • Can I buy a plan in the Marketplace if I don’t have a green card?

    FAQs

    Potentially, yes. You must be a lawfully present immigrant who is eligible for coverage, such as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), certain types of visa holders, or a refugee or asylee. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is no longer considered an eligible immigration status for health coverage through the Marketplaces. You can find more information about qualifying statuses here.   You can also shop for health insurance outside of the Marketplace in…

  • El año pasado tuve un seguro de salud a través de un plan del mercado, pero pagué la prima completa porque gané demasiado para calificar para subsidios. Cuando hice mis impuestos, mis ingresos para el a...

    FAQs

    Sí. Los créditos fiscales para las primas se pueden reclamar por adelantado (durante el año) cuando declare sus impuestos. Para reclamar el crédito, deberá presentar una declaración de impuestos federal y el formulario 8962. Siga las instrucciones del formulario para determinar la cantidad de crédito fiscal que debe recibir como retorno de impuestos cuando haga su declaración.