Carrier Rate Increases for 2026: What Colorado Consumers Need to Know
Why premiums are rising and what you can do about it
Understanding the 2026 Rate Hikes
Health insurance carriers across Colorado have filed for average rate increases of about 28% for 2026, according to marketplace summaries and carrier submissions.
These increases are driven by rising healthcare costs, inflation, and medical utilization, and are independent of federal tax-credit changes meaning they’ll take effect whether or not Congress extends enhanced premium subsidies.
In other words, even if subsidies continue, base plan prices will still rise.
Why Rates Are Going Up
Several key factors are pushing premiums higher in 2026:
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Medical Inflation – Hospitals, prescription drugs, and provider networks have all seen double-digit cost growth in recent years. Insurers are adjusting rates to match those expenses.
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Post-Pandemic Utilization – More people are catching up on deferred care, which increases claims volume and costs for carriers.
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Policy Adjustments – Changes in federal reimbursement formulas and reinsurance levels are also influencing how much carriers need to collect from consumers.
When these pressures stack up, insurers raise rates to maintain solvency and comply with regulatory requirements — even in stable enrollment markets like Colorado.
Who Will Be Most Affected
Rate increases will affect everyone, but the impact will differ based on subsidy status:
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Subsidized enrollees: Those still eligible for premium tax credits will see partial protection, since their subsidies adjust to offset a portion of the increase.
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Unsubsidized enrollees: Households earning above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) will face the full increase out-of-pocket.
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Those losing eligibility in 2026 (due to the expiration of enhanced credits) will experience both the rate hike and the loss of financial assistance, creating a sharp jump in monthly premiums.
This “double hit” makes 2026 a particularly challenging year for middle-income families and small-business owners who buy coverage on their own.
How Rate Increases Differ from Subsidy Changes
One of the biggest communication challenges in 2026 will be clarifying that carrier rate increases are unrelated to federal tax-credit policy.
Even if Congress extends or replaces enhanced credits, carriers set their premiums independently based on projected medical costs. Subsidies only determine how much of those premiums consumers actually pay — they don’t reduce the underlying cost of coverage.
So while tax-credit changes alter affordability, rate increases affect the actual price of insurance plans in the marketplace.
How to Prepare
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Compare your options early. Even small differences in network or deductible can translate into meaningful savings.
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Don’t auto-renew without reviewing your plan. Many consumers overlook updated pricing and end up paying more than necessary.
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Reevaluate your metal level. Depending on your income and subsidy, switching from Silver to Bronze or Gold may make more sense under the new 2026 pricing model.
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Work with a broker. Licensed brokers can help you identify carriers and plans less affected by large rate jumps in your rating area.
What This Means for Colorado Households
For most Coloradans, these rate increases will combine with other 2026 changes; including the expiration of enhanced tax credits and Silver plan unloading to reshape the affordability landscape.
Being proactive now is key: a small amount of planning could mean hundreds in savings per month next year.
White Hat’s Take
Our goal is to help you understand what’s changing, how it impacts your budget, and which plans will offer the best value going into 2026.
If your premiums are projected to rise, let’s find out why and make sure you’re not paying more than you need to. Give us a call at 303-225-0073 or book an appointment.