According to KFF, the average out-of-pocket premium payment for subsidized ACA marketplace enrollees is projected to more than double in 2026, rising about 114 percent from $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026. This is because the enhanced premium tax credits that had lowered premiums since 2021 expired on December 31, 2025, returning subsidies to their smaller pre-2021 levels.

As of mid-2026, the issue is not fully settled. The U.S. House passed a three-year extension of the enhanced credits in January 2026, but the Senate has not passed it. The outcome remains uncertain and could change, so it is worth reviewing your coverage now and checking back if Congress acts later in the year.

If your premium jumped, you have options worth comparing. Depending on your income, age, and health needs, a private PPO or EPO plan, a short-term plan, or a different marketplace plan may give you better value. We compare these side by side and explain the trade-offs so you can choose with confidence.

Source: KFF, as of mid-2026. https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/aca-marketplace-premium-payments-would-more-than-double-on-average-next-year-if-enhanced-premium-tax-credits-expire/