Marketplace Tax Credit Changes in 2026: Why Your ACA Premiums Could Rise
Breaking: ACA premiums are about to take a wrecking ball to your wallet in 2026—unless Congress decides to stop playing games with subsidies. NPR reports that without action, some plans could skyrocket by 75%. Seventy. Five. Percent. But hey, who needs affordable healthcare anyway?
Expect millions to drop coverage (because paying rent > staying insured), healthier people to bail, and everyone else stuck footing the bill for a sicker risk pool. Classic.
Here’s the bloodbath:
- Median hike: ~15%—which is apparently the good news
- Most insurers are “casually” requesting 10–20%
- And over 25% are saying screw it, let’s go 20%+ and see what happens
These numbers come from early filings in 20 states, and unless something changes, 2026 will make 2018 look like a discount sale.
What’s Driving These Increases?
1. The Expiration of Enhanced Subsidies
Those expanded premium tax credits that showed up during the pandemic (thanks, Inflation Reduction Act) are riding off into the sunset on December 31, 2025. If they’re not renewed, middle-income enrollees are about to get slapped with premium hikes that make no sense on any planet.
2. Healthcare Costs Are on a Tear
Insurers are staring down more expensive services, pricier drugs (thanks, Wegovy), and a wave of costly hospital visits. Surprise—those costs aren’t getting absorbed. They’re coming straight for your 2026 premiums.
3. Red Tape & Risk Pool Shakeups
New ACA integrity rules + looming Medicaid disenrollments = fewer healthy enrollees, more high-cost cases. Some states are even adding work requirements. That means more people shoved onto ACA exchanges… and many won’t qualify for help. Spoiler: that’s bad for everyone.
Why This Matters for White Hat Clients
If subsidies expire, brace yourself: your premium could spike. Not because your health changed—but because federal support disappeared and insurers aren’t about to eat the difference.
Even worse? If healthy folks bail, it leaves the high-cost crowd behind, which means 2027 could be just as ugly.
How White Hat Insurance Advisors Is Getting Ahead of It
We’re not sitting around hoping Congress saves the day. Here’s what we’re doing right now:
- Talking to clients now so nobody gets blindsided
- Exploring lower-cost plans and networks ahead of open enrollment
- Tracking every move in D.C. so we can give clients the real-time play-by-play
You don’t need to panic—if you’ve got the right partner in your corner.
What Clients Should Do Now
- Don’t wait. Reach out to your advisor now—seriously.
- Update your income to get the most accurate subsidy calculations
- Pay attention to what’s happening in Congress (we’ll help translate the nonsense)
- Tell your people. Your friends and family might be about to get steamrolled by this too.
Bottom Line
This is the most serious shake-up we’ve seen in ACA coverage since launch. If Congress lets these subsidies expire, we’re looking at the biggest premium spike in nearly a decade.
But panic isn’t a strategy. Planning is.
Got questions? Hit up White Hat Insurance Advisors. We’ll walk you through whatever 2026 throws your way—no sugarcoating, just strategy.