Why Did My ACA Marketplace Premium Go Up in 2026?

The enhanced premium tax credits that were in place from 2021 through 2025 expired at the end of 2025 and were not extended by Congress. For 2026, Marketplace tax credit rules revert to the pre-2021 structure, which is less generous for most people who get a subsidy and cuts off entirely above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. KFF projects subsidized enrollees are paying about 114% more in premium payments on average in 2026 than in 2025. Separately, underlying sticker-price premiums also rose about 26% on average before any tax credit is applied.

The subsidy cliff is the point at 400% of the Federal Poverty Level where premium tax credit eligibility stops completely. From 2021-2025, credits phased down gradually above that line instead of stopping. For 2026, if your household income is even $1 over 400% FPL, your premium tax credit is $0 and you pay full price for a Marketplace plan.

You may be, if your household income falls between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size and state. Use the calculator on this page for a real, location-based estimate using your income, household size, and county -- or call a licensed agent to walk through your specific numbers.

You would not qualify for a premium tax credit under current 2026 rules. Worth checking: whether your income estimate for the year is accurate (income can fluctuate), whether a lower-premium plan in a different metal tier fits your budget better at full price, and whether an employer offer, Medicare eligibility for a household member, or another coverage option changes the picture. A licensed agent can walk through all of these with you.

Losing Medicaid or CHIP coverage generally triggers a 60-day Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Marketplace plan outside the normal Open Enrollment window. If your Medicaid termination was procedural (a paperwork or address issue rather than an actual eligibility change), it's also worth checking whether you can request reinstatement rather than starting over.

Short-term and other off-Marketplace plans can have lower sticker prices, but they aren't ACA-compliant: they aren't eligible for premium tax credits, can medically underwrite or deny coverage based on health history, and can cap or exclude benefits that ACA plans are required to cover. They're worth understanding as an option, not automatically a better deal -- a licensed agent can help you weigh the real trade-offs for your situation.