The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) released this week the final Affordable Care Act (ACA) health insurance rates for 2026 which are expected to see significant price increases due to expiring enhanced tax credits.

Pennsylvanians who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace will see premiums rise on average by nearly 22% for coverage next year, state officials said.

Officials said that overall premiums will rise in both the individual market (for people who purchase coverage on their own) and the small group market (for small businesses). Pennie premiums may see average increases of 19% for individuals and 13% for small businesses in 2026.

“New federal rules on enrollment put in place by the Republican budget bill and Congress’s failure to extend enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs) before Open Enrollment that begins November 1 has resulted in significant price increases for Pennsylvanians,” a Shapiro administration notice said. “Without swift action in Washington, Pennsylvania families will face significant increases on their insurance premiums for plan year 2026.”

The notice continues:

PID and Pennie, the state’s official health insurance marketplace, have repeatedly urged Congress to extend EPTCs and have sent multiple letters outlining the consequences of inaction on families throughout the Commonwealth. For example, a 60-year-old married couple in York County with $82,000 in annual income will see their yearly premium skyrocket from $7,032 to $35,712 per year. Congress can act now to extend the EPTCs and immediately reduce insurance rates by three to five percent.  PID and Pennie stand ready to update insurance rates if Congress chooses to extend the EPTCs, but time is running out.

“These increases are higher than in recent years, even after PID’s strong rate review process blocked a number of excessive increases that insurers requested. Soon, Pennsylvanians who purchase their own coverage will be receiving renewal letters from their insurers and from Pennie that will contain prices that will be shocking. Congress still has the ability to act to protect Pennsylvania families, as well families across the country,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “Now, more than ever, we encourage consumers to shop when Open Enrollment begins this November.”

Rising health care costs, increasing cost and use of prescription drugs, as well as the number of individuals using more services and higher-cost care than insurers originally expected, have contributed to the nationwide premium increases, officials said.

Customers will know their final 2026 costs in November after annual plan updates are made. Until then, you can see an estimate of your 2026 payments with this financial calculator. More details about the price increases can be found here.

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