ACA insurance costs set to increase again in 2027
By: Ken Altucker
USA Today
..... Millions of Americans paying higher Affordable Care Act insurance bills ion 2026 will once again face double-digit are hikes next year, [2027] marking another cost increase for health insurance that has become prohibitively expensive for some.
.....
Health insurance companies are seeking a median rate hike of 14% for 2027 ACA plans, according to a preliminary analysis by KFF, a health policy nonprofit.
..... KFF analyzed filing from 77 insurance plans in 16 states and Washington, DC. Nearly half of insurers are seeking 2027 increases few 10% to 15% over their 2026 rates. Companies marketing 20 insurance plans are asking for rate hikes of 20% or more.
..... The final amount could change because health insurers have until July 15 [2026] to submit paperwork on ACA insurance premiums requests for 2027. Federal and state insurance regulators review plans before finalizing rate increases.
..... The filings mark the second straight year ACA marketplace insurers have sought double-digit rate increases. The higher rate coincide with the elimination of enhanced subsidies hat made ACA insurance more affordable for millions of Americans.
..... "This is a triple hit," Cynthia Cox, senior vice president and director of the program of the ACA at KFF, said of the consecutive years of higher rates and the absence of enhanced subsidies. "that's a really big hit for people who won;t get a subsidy."
..... KFF said health insurance cited these factors for the higher rate they are seeking for 2027:
* The rising cost of health care. Costs are rising due to hospital and doctor bills, and prescription drug spending is higher in part, due to the popularity of GLP-1 anti-obestiy drugs and specialty drugs to treat medical conditions such as cancer. Medical and prescription drug spending increased 10%, a greater increase than in recent years.
* The elimination of enhance premium tax credits in 2026. The change meant more ACA enrollees had to pick up a greater share of their overall health insurance bill. Some healthier customers dropped their ACA coverage in 2026, leaving behind fewer enrollees who were sicker and more expensive to insure. Insures expect the same in 2027.
* The Trump administration's Changes to marketplace rules. Most working-age adults and families get health insurance through the workplace. Most adults 65 and older are covered by Medicare, while low-income families often qualify for Medicaid coverage.
..... About 19.2 million Americans were enrolled in an ACA plan, also known as "Obamacare," as of February, [2026] down from 23.1 million who were signed up for coverage by January, [2026] the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said.
..... The KFF report is the second in recent weeks to forecast higher ACA rates next year. [2027] A Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms report published June 18 [2026] analyzed health insurer filing in nine states and Washington, DC. Insurers in those states sought rate increases for 2027 coverage from 6.5% in Vermont to 22.4% in Washington state.