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Health Insurance Premiums Set to Skyrocket in 2026

9/12/2025

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Insurance Premium Surge

Health insurance premiums are projected to rise by 6.5% for employer-sponsored plans and 18% for ACA plans in 2026, the largest increases in years.
Key factors include rising healthcare costs, increased service utilization, and expiring federal tax credits.
Washington may see a 21% premium increase, impacting over 300,000 residents, while North Carolina could average $672 more per enrollee.
Without an extension of enhanced ACA subsidies, about 4 million people may lose coverage, leading to a potential 75% average premium increase nationwide.
Experts caution that rising costs could drive healthier individuals out of the market, resulting in a higher-risk insurance pool.

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Premiums Rising Rapidly

Health insurance premiums are expected to rise nearly 10% in 2026, marking the highest increase in 15 years, with family plans averaging $25,500 annually.
Contributing factors include rising hospital bills, increased medical service usage, and expensive new drugs like GLP-1 treatments.
Companies are raising employee costs through higher payroll deductions and redesigning plans to limit provider access.
Mutual of Omaha has eliminated GLP-1 drug coverage due to cost concerns, mirroring industry trends.
Experts observe that younger employees are increasingly experiencing chronic conditions typically seen in older age.

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Insurance Premium Surge

Health insurance premiums are projected to rise by 6.5% for employer-sponsored plans and 18% for ACA plans in 2026, the largest increases in years.
Key factors include rising healthcare costs, increased service utilization, and expiring federal tax credits.
Washington may see a 21% premium increase, impacting over 300,000 residents, while North Carolina could average $672 more per enrollee.
Without an extension of enhanced ACA subsidies, about 4 million people may lose coverage, leading to a potential 75% average premium increase nationwide.
Experts caution that rising costs could drive healthier individuals out of the market, resulting in a higher-risk insurance pool.

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