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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?

The ACA MarketplaceS

In Preliminary Rate Filings, ACA Marketplace Insurers Largely Propose Double-Digit Premium Increase For 2027, Following a Steep Climb This Year 

ACA Marketplace insurers are proposing a median premium increase of 14% for 2027— indicating a likely second consecutive year of double-digit increases, according to a new analysis of preliminary rate filings in 16 states and DC. If these increases hold, typical premiums for insurers participating in the ACA Marketplaces would jump by more than one-third between 2025 and 2027.

The Average Marketplace Deductible Grew by About $1,000 Per Person in 2026, With More Enrollees Shifting to Higher-Deductible Plans as Enhanced Tax Credits Expired

The average Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace deductible experienced the steepest increase in history—growing by 37% or over $1,000, from $2,759 in 2025 to $3,786 in 2026 as enhanced premium tax credits expired, according to a new KFF analysis. After the enhanced tax credits ended, many Marketplace shoppers shifted toward lower-premium, higher-deductible plans.

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  • People With HIV in Non-Medicaid Expansion States: Who Could Gain Coverage Eligibility Through Build Back Better or Future Expansion?

    Issue Brief

    In this analysis, we explore the implications of the Build Back Better Act's current coverage provisions for people with HIV in select non-expansion states. We estimate the size of the population that could gain eligibility as well as their socio-demographic characteristics, examine their affordability barriers and assess the potential impact on the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. We also explore what Medicaid expansion could mean in these non-expansion states for people with HIV.

  • Tuve cobertura del mercado en 2025 y tengo que conciliar mis impuestos de este año. ¿Cuál es el máximo que tendría que reembolsar al IRS?

    FAQs

    Para el año fiscal 2025, si subestimó sus ingresos y recibió un subsidio para las primas anticipado mayor al que le correspondía, deberá reembolsar la diferencia entre el monto del crédito fiscal recibido y el monto al que tenía derecho. Sin embargo, si sus ingresos son inferiores a cuatro veces (400%) el nivel federal de pobreza, existen límites en dólares sobre el monto que deberá reembolsar para créditos pagados a las aseguradoras en su nombre.…

  • 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…

  • Updated Larry QT on ePTCs

    There is No Drop-Dead Date for an ACA Tax Credit Extension, But Coverage Losses Will Mount as the Clock Ticks

    Quick Insights

    While the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025, there is no absolute drop-dead date for extending them. An extension could happen even after the deadline to sign up for coverage and be made retroactive to January 1. Open enrollment could also be extended to allow people time to change their plans or allow new people to sign up. ACA enrollees would welcome premium relief whenever it comes.

  • No sé cuánto tiempo hace que terminó mi Medicaid. ¿Hay una fecha límite para solicitar la cobertura del mercado?

    FAQs

    Sí, el período especial de inscripción por pérdida de Medicaid o CHIP es de 90 días en la mayoría de los estados. Esto significa que los consumidores tendrán hasta 90 días después de la pérdida de Medicaid o CHIP para inscribirse en el mercado de seguros. Si no solicita la cobertura del mercado dentro de este plazo, podría tener que esperar hasta el próximo período de inscripción abierta para hacerlo. Los estados que administran sus…

  • Standardized Plans in the Health Care Marketplace: Changing Requirements

    Issue Brief

    This brief examines the evolving requirements for insurers on HealthCare.gov to offer standardized plans that follow set cost sharing rules for covered benefits in addition to other plans they might offer. It also reviews how some state-run marketplaces have used standardized plans to limit cost sharing for insulin, mental health care, and other services.

  • KFF News Release

    About 1 in 20 People with Private Insurance Received Services that Could be Affected by a District Court Ruling Limiting the ACA’s Preventive Services Mandate

    News Release

    A new KFF analysis finds about 1 in 20 privately insured people (5.7%) received at least one ACA preventive service or drug that could be affected by a now-stayed U.S. District Court ruling in Braidwood Management v. Becerra, which found the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) preventive services mandate partially unconstitutional. The district court also found that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), medication recommended for HIV prevention, violates the religious rights of those who have objections to its…

  • Marketplace Insurers are Proposing a 6% Average Premium Hike for 2024 and Pointing to Inflation as a Key Driver of Costs

    News Release

    ACA Marketplace insurers are requesting a median premium increase of 6% for 2024, according to a new KFF analysis of the preliminary rate filings. Insurers’ proposed rate changes – most of which fall between 2% and 10% – may change during the review process. Although most Marketplace enrollees receive subsidies and are not expected to face these added costs, premium increases could result in higher federal spending on subsidies. Insurers cite price increases for medical…

  • What is a grandfathered plan? How do I know if I have one?

    FAQs

    Grandfathered plans are those that were in existence on March 23, 2010, and have stayed basically the same. Grandfathered plans are not required to provide all of the benefits and consumer protections required by the Affordable Care Act. For example, a grandfathered plan might not cover preventive health services, it might charge higher premiums based on health status or gender, and it might exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. If you buy coverage on your own and you…

  • 2024 Calculadora del Mercado de Seguros Médicos

    Feature

    2024 Esta calculadora ilustra las primas (el costo mensual de su seguro) y subsidios para las personas que compran seguro médico por su propia cuenta en el nuevo mercado de seguros de salud (o de intercambio) creado por la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio (Affordable Care Act, ACA, en inglés). Con esta calculadora, usted puede introducir diferentes niveles de ingresos, edades, y el tamaño de su familia para obtener un estimado de…