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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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  • 2025 Calculadora del Mercado de Seguros Médicos

    Feature

    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 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 su elegibilidad…

  • Compré anticonceptivos de emergencia de venta libre en mi farmacia y pensé que mi seguro los cubriría, pero terminé teniendo que pagar el costo total de mi bolsillo. ¿Por qué no lo cubre mi seguro?

    FAQs

    La anticoncepción de emergencia es uno de los métodos aprobados por la Administración de Drogas y Alimentos (FDA) para mujeres que debe estar cubierto por la mayoría de los planes de salud, incluidos los que se venden en el mercado de seguros. Sin embargo, debe ser recetada por un profesional de salud para que la mayoría de los planes la cubran. Si no tiene una receta, probablemente tendrá que pagar el costo total de su…

  • Signing Up for Marketplace Coverage Remains a Challenge for Many Consumers

    Policy Watch

    As open enrollment begins for Marketplace plans, this Policy Watch provides information about consumer experiences with Marketplace sign up from the 2023 KFF Consumer Survey. Data from the survey show that Marketplace sign up has been a challenge to many consumers---often more complicated than enrollment in other kinds of health insurance. The Policy Watch also spotlights efforts to address common enrollment problems such as option overload and transitioning to Marketplace coverage from other forms of…

  • Millions of Uninsured People Can Get Free ACA Plans

    Policy Watch

    This post estimates that about 5 million uninsured people across the country could get coverage through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace health plan with virtually no monthly premium if they enroll during the 2023 open enrollment period, which runs through Jan. 15 in most states.

  • I learned that my Medicaid coverage has ended. What do I do now?

    FAQs

    If you lose Medicaid but think you still qualify, contact your Medicaid agency. If your coverage ended less than 90 days ago, you may be able to submit any required forms and documents and have your coverage reinstated. If your coverage ended more than 90 days ago, you will likely need to reapply for Medicaid. If the Medicaid agency says you are no longer eligible for Medicaid but you believe that decision was made in…

  • I heard that health plans sold on the Marketplace no longer have to cover certain preventive services. Is that true?

    FAQs

    No, this is not true. Health plans sold on the Marketplace are still required to cover certain preventive services without any patient cost sharing. The categories of preventive services Marketplace plans must cover are: Evidence-based screenings and counseling Routine immunizations Childhood preventive services Preventive services for women Click here for more information on covered preventive services.

  • Estoy cubierto por el plan de salud de mis padres, pero pronto cumpliré 26 años y no podré seguir en su plan. ¿Qué opciones tengo?

    FAQs

    Debe revisar sus opciones de cobertura e inscribirse en una nueva ahora mismo. Si sus padres obtienen su seguro a través de un empleador con al menos 20 trabajadores, podría continuar con esa cobertura (conocida como COBRA) hasta por 3 años, pero probablemente sea mucho más costosa que otras opciones. Si trabaja, averigüe si su empleador ofrece seguro médico y si cumple los requisitos. De lo contrario, dependiendo de sus ingresos, podría ser elegible para…

  • Recent and Anticipated Actions to Reverse Trump Administration Section 1557 Non-Discrimination Rules

    Issue Brief

    The Biden Administration has started taking steps to reverse Trump Administration policy and regulations that significantly narrowed the implementation and administrative enforcement of Section 1557, the Affordable Care Act’s nondiscrimination provision, particularly as the regulations apply to gender identity and sexual orientation. In addition, several lawsuits challenging the regulations, which were initially issued by the Obama Administration and later substantially revised by the Trump Administration, are pending. Section 1557 prohibits discrimination based on race, color,…

  • Medicare and Dental Coverage: A Closer Look

    Issue Brief

    Medicare does not cover routine dental care and about half of Medicare beneficiaries do not have dental coverage. Some beneficiaries have dental coverage through other sources, including Medicare Advantage, but 47% of all beneficiaries have not been to the dentist in the past year and many older adults face high out-of-pocket costs for needed dental care. This brief provides new data on the share of Medicare beneficiaries with dental coverage, the share with a dental…