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

481-490 of 2,788 results

  • How much are the cost-sharing reductions?

    FAQs

    It depends on your household income and where you live. To give a general idea, a typical Silver plan might have an annual out-of-pocket maximum on all cost sharing of $10,600 in 2026. But if your income is between 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level ($15,650 to $23,475 annually for a single individual in 2026), the cost-sharing reductions will modify a Silver plan so that the annual out-of-pocket maximum on all cost sharing…

  • I can’t afford to pay much for deductibles and co-pays. Is there help for me in the Marketplace for cost sharing?

    FAQs

    Yes. If your household income is between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level ($15,650 to $39,125 annually for a single person in 2026, or $32,150 to $80,375 for a family of four), you can qualify for cost-sharing reductions if you choose a Silver plan. These will reduce the deductibles, copays, and other cost sharing that would otherwise apply to covered services.

  • I estimate my income next year will be very low, so I need my premium tax credit all paid in advance. If, by the end of the year, it turns out my annual income was even lower than I expected and I could...

    FAQs

    No, your final premium tax credit amount will be determined based on your income for the year as reported on your tax return. The fact that it ended up being less than you expected does not mean you have to repay the advance premium tax credit paid on your behalf, even if you could have qualified for Medicaid. In fact, your final credit amount will likely be larger than the amount you received in advance.…

  • Can I buy health insurance outside of the Marketplace that meets all ACA consumer protection standards?

    FAQs

    Yes. Many insurers that offer plans through the ACA Marketplace also offer identical plans outside of the Marketplace that meet all ACA standards, although premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies are not available for plans sold outside of the Marketplace. Some people prefer to buy health insurance outside of the Marketplace when they are sure they won’t qualify for financial assistance. Like health insurance plans sold on the Marketplace, “ACA-compliant” plans sold outside of the…

  • I received a Form 1095-C in the mail. What’s that?

    FAQs

    Form 1095-C will indicate your name and the name of your employer, the months when you were eligible for coverage, and the cost to you of the cheapest monthly premium you could have enrolled in under your employer’s health plan. If you worked for a large employer that did not offer its full-time employees health coverage, Form 1095-C will also indicate that. Keep this form with your tax records. You may need this form if…

  • ¿Qué es el formulario 8962?

    FAQs

    Si recibió un subsidio anticipado para pagar las primas (APTC) a través del mercado el año pasado, debe presentar un formulario 8962 con su declaración de impuestos federal para conciliar sus ingresos estimados y reales del año, incluso si calculó sus ingresos con precisión. Puede obtener un formulario 8962 en blanco en el sitio web del IRS o, si utiliza un software de preparación de impuestos, el formulario se generará automáticamente. Las instrucciones del formulario…

  • Escuché que los planes de salud tienen que cubrir servicios sin costos compartidos. ¿Esto incluye a todos los servicios preventivos? ¿Hay límites o excepciones a lo que cubren?

    FAQs

    La mayoría de los planes de salud, incluidos los del mercado de seguros, deben cubrir una amplia gama de servicios preventivos y no pueden imponer costos compartidos (como deducibles, copagos o coaseguros). La Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio (ACA) exige que los planes privados cubran servicios en cuatro categorías generales: Exámenes y asesoramiento basados ​​en la evidencia Vacunas de rutina Servicios preventivos infantiles Servicios preventivos para mujeres Siempre que el servicio preventivo…

  • The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use

    Issue Brief

    This brief explores mental health and substance use during, and prior to, the COVID-19 pandemic. We highlight populations that were more likely to experience worse mental health and substance use outcomes during the pandemic and discuss some innovations in the delivery of services.