Obamacare enrollment opens amid sharp price hikes, political gridlock

[Health care costs]
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Open enrollment for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage began Saturday, bringing major changes for the roughly 24 million Americans who rely on the exchanges. This year’s sign-up season comes with steep premium hikes, reduced subsidies and new rules that could saddle some enrollees with surprise tax bills next year, according to multiple news reports.

The enhanced federal tax credits that made Obamacare plans more affordable are set to expire, and Congress remains deadlocked over whether to extend them. With the government still partially shut down, Democrats and Republicans have failed to agree on a deal, leaving millions uncertain about what they’ll pay for 2026 coverage.

PREMIUM SHOCK AND UNEVEN PAIN

Many insurers are raising base rates by double-digit percentages, leaving consumers facing hundreds or even thousands more in annual costs. That’s especially true for those just above the 400% federal poverty threshold (around $62,600 for an individual). Some families who qualified for subsidies this year may lose them entirely in 2026.

Kevin Foster, a retired consultant in California, said in interview with The Wall Street Journal that his family’s monthly premium will soar from $580 to over $3,200, an annual jump topping $38,000, with a $14,400 deductible.

For others, the higher costs could force painful trade-offs. Jordan Euckert, a mother of four in Texas, said her family’s coverage could jump from $129 to $550 a month, making it unaffordable, she told the Journal.

NEW RULES AND RISKS

This year’s enrollment also introduces new complications. A year-round sign-up option for low-income Americans has been eliminated, meaning people can no longer wait to enroll after discovering a major illness midyear.

Another change could sting at tax time. When applying, people must estimate their 2026 income to calculate subsidies. In the past, the government capped how much overpayment had to be repaid if income was underestimated. That cap is now gone, leaving some at risk of owing thousands.

WHAT SHOPPERS SHOULD DO

Open enrollment runs through Dec. 15 for coverage beginning Jan. 1, with a final deadline of Jan. 15 for February start dates. Shoppers are urged not to auto-renew, premium structures have shifted, and the cheapest plan last year may not be the best deal now, the New York Times reported.

Visit HealthCare.gov (covering 30 states) or your state exchange to compare plans, or use the “Find Local Help” tool to connect with a certified adviser. Experts also recommend checking every tier (bronze, silver, gold and platinum) since pricing quirks may make some gold plans cheaper than silver in certain markets.

For younger enrollees without subsidies, catastrophic plans can offer basic protection at lower premiums. But experts warn against unregulated products like short-term health plans or health-sharing ministries, which can deny coverage for pre-existing conditions or major treatments.

STAY ALERT FOR CHANGES

If Congress acts to renew the subsidies during open enrollment, consumers may be able to adjust their plans midseason. Until then, experts stress one message: Don’t go uninsured.

“You don’t want to be one emergency away from financial ruin,” Anthony Wright of Families USA, a consumer group in Washington, said to the Times.

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