You can now check 2026 Obamacare plan prices — but costs could still rise

The “window shopping” period has opened for individuals looking to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace, also known as Obamacare.

While people can now compare available plans , they cannot make a purchase until Nov. 1, when open enrollment begins. Shoppers will have until Jan. 15, 2026, to select their coverage.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the price of marketplace plans has increased this year. Nearly 60% of eligible re-enrollees will have access to a plan in their chosen category that costs $50 or less per month after tax credits — down from 83% last year — meaning fewer people will find low-cost options and more will likely pay higher premiums.

A separate analysis by KFF found that insurers are raising prices an avera