Health insurance premiums expected to rise significantly as open enrollment approaches

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Open enrollment is approaching, and consumers should prepare for increased premiums as they shop for health plans that work best for them.

For many consumers, open enrollment represents a yearly deadline to secure health coverage. One retired volunteer, who gets her insurance on and off through the Marketplace, expressed concern about the rising costs.

"Medical care should be a basic human right," she said. "I don't have it consistently. So having this as a safety net for people is very important."

Recent data from KFF shows insurers offering Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans could increase premiums by around 18% for 2026. The price consumers pay could jump by 75% if subsidies for the program expire at the end of December.

KFF data also shows premiums al