Average Marketplace Health Insurance Premiums Rise $65 Per Month for 2026

Average monthly out-of-pocket premiums for Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees jumped from $113 to $178 in 2026, a $65 increase following the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported on March 27, 2026 that enrollment declined 5% to 23.1 million consumers, while plan selection shifted dramatically with Bronze plans rising from 30% to 40% and Silver plans dropping from 56% to 43%. The data suggests consumers are responding to higher costs by selecting lower-premium, higher-deductible plans.

2026 Marketplace Premium Increases and Tax Credit Expiration

• ▪Enhanced premium tax credits for Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees expired at the end of 2025.
• ▪Average out-of-pocket premiums for Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees increased from $113 per month in 2025 to $178 per month in 2026.
• ▪The 2026 Health Insurance Marketplace premium figures represent costs after accounting for enhanced premium tax credits.
• ▪The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a report on March 27, 2026 about Health Insurance Marketplace premiums.

Shifts in Health Plan Selection Patterns

• ▪Bronze plan selection among 2026 Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees increased from 30% in 2025 to 40% in 2026.

Decline in Marketplace Enrollment

• ▪Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment for 2026 decreased 5% compared to 2025.
• ▪23.1 million consumers selected or re-enrolled in Health Insurance Marketplace coverage for 2026.

Perspective of Health insurance affordability advocates

• ▪The 5% decline in Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment for 2026 represents consumers dropping coverage because premiums became too expensive after subsidy expiration.
• ▪The shift from Silver to Bronze plans among Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees in 2026 indicates consumers are choosing higher-deductible coverage due to cost pressures.

Perspective of Fiscal conservatives

• ▪The expiration of enhanced premium tax credits for Health Insurance Marketplace plans represents a return to sustainable federal spending levels.
• ▪Health Insurance Marketplace enrollees retained 23.1 million consumers for 2026 despite reduced subsidies, demonstrating continued demand for coverage.

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