ACA Premiums Could Rise up to 114% — Here’s What You Need to Know Before Choosing Your 2026 Healthcare Plan

Millions of Americans will face sharply higher healthcare costs in 2026—yet many still don’t know just how big the increases may be. If Congress does not renew the current ACA subsidies by the end of the year, premiums for many Affordable Care Act (ACA) participants are projected to rise 114%.¹ Even if subsidies are renewed, the Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that average premiums will still increase roughly 18%.²

For many families, that level of increase simply isn’t sustainable.

The Hidden Reality Behind Rising Costs

Over the last decade, health insurance and college tuition have outpaced nearly every other major consumer expense.

Today, the average family on an ACA plan pays around $1,500 per month in premiums.³ And that doesn’t include out-of-pocket costs like:

• Doctor visits

• Prescriptions

• Specialist care

• Emergency visits

Worse: many of these plans are high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), meaning families often pay thousands of dollars before insurance even starts.

A Growing Number of Alternatives Exist — But Most People Aren’t Told About Them

The healthcare landscape is changing. Consumers now have more choices than they realize, including:

• Medical sharing networks

• Telehealth and virtual urgent care

• Direct primary care (DPC) memberships

• Self-pay membership and discount networks

• Retail health clinics

• Dental & vision discount plans

• Cost-comparison tools for procedures

For many households, combining some of these options can reduce annual costs significantly—sometimes by thousands.

Even With Employer Coverage, Your Costs May Still Be Rising

Many employers are shifting employees to HDHPs, often without offering HSAs. What most people don’t know is:

You can still use discount or self-pay memberships when you have a HDHP. These costs won’t count toward your deductible, but for many families who don’t hit their $5,500⁺ deductible anyway, it can still mean meaningful savings.

Healthcare Is Now a Financial Investment — So What’s Your ROI?

If your ACA premiums for 2026 are increasing 114% to around $1,000 a month, you’re spending $12,000 per year. Over five years, that’s $60,000.

What is the return on investment (ROI) for that $60,000?

Most people instinctively say, “It protects me from the worst-case scenario.” And that’s true.

But let's consider the everyday reality:

• Many doctor visits cost $25–$100 with insurance

• Yet the cash price or GoodRx price for medications may be less than your copay

• Most families don’t meet their deductible

• Premiums keep rising faster than wages

And yes—catastrophic care can cost far more than $60,000. But what if it doesn’t happen during those years? Should you still be spending a down payment-sized amount every year “just in case”?

These are the financial questions every household should be asking, because the math may not make sense in 2026.

I’m Not Telling Anyone to Drop Their Insurance—But You Should Do the Math

This isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness. If your ACA premiums could rise 114% on average, you owe it to yourself to research your options.

I’m not a licensed insurance agent or financial advisor. I do not sell insurance plans.

What I am doing is helping people understand:

• What they’re actually paying

• Whether their plan fits their real needs

• What alternatives exist

• How to compare actual costs vs the perceived value

Most people don’t know they have options—and I’m here to change that.

Want to Explore Your Options for 2026? Join One of My Live Webinars (Dec 9–13, 2025)

During this 90-minute session, we’ll walk through:

• What you’re currently paying

• What care you actually need (medications, visits, chronic care, preventive care)

• What you can realistically afford

• Which alternatives may be a better fit for 2026

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This is not insurance sales. It’s education—designed to help you make informed, confident decisions.

Click here to learn more or reserve your seat.