How much did ACA premiums increase in 2026?

Per KFF's 2026 benchmark analysis, unsubsidized benchmark silver premiums rose 26% on average nationally — the largest single-year increase in eight years. Florida's benchmark silver plan rose 34.1%, from $648/month in 2025 to $867/month in 2026 (FL OIR rate filings). Texas saw an average 22% increase, with significant variation across rating areas.

I make over $62,600 — am I really getting NO subsidy in 2026?

You may face the subsidy cliff. The American Rescue Plan + Inflation Reduction Act subsidy expansions expired December 31, 2025 — the House passed a 3-year extension in January 2026, but the Senate has not voted as of late May 2026. Until extension passes, the pre-ARPA 400% FPL cliff is back: $62,600 single / $84,600 couple / $128,600 family of 4. One dollar over the cliff means you pay the full unsubsidized premium. We can model this for you on a 15-minute call.

What happened to the enhanced subsidies?

The American Rescue Plan Act (2021) and Inflation Reduction Act (2022) expanded ACA premium tax credits in two ways: (1) capped the required premium contribution at 8.5% of income for anyone above 400% FPL (eliminating the cliff temporarily), and (2) increased subsidy generosity at all income levels. Those enhancements expired 12/31/2025. The 2026 marketplace is operating under pre-ARPA subsidy rules unless Congress acts.

Are Florida ACA premiums higher than Texas?

Yes, materially. Florida's 2026 benchmark silver averages $867/month for a 40-year-old non-smoker; Texas averages closer to $610/month (averages mask wide rating-area variation in both states). The Florida vs Texas gap is driven by carrier market concentration, hospital reimbursement levels, and rating-area design. 98% of Florida marketplace enrollees still receive some subsidy because of the income mix in the state.

What should I do if my premium just jumped?

Three options worth comparing: (1) check if you qualify for catastrophic coverage (under 30 or hardship exemption); (2) consider a higher-deductible bronze plan paired with an HSA if you're healthy; (3) if you're between 60 and 65, look at COBRA bridge coverage or a short-term plan as a hold-over until Medicare. We run all three side-by-side at no cost.

Updated 2026-05-25 · ACA brief

2026 ACA premium changes — Florida + Texas marketplace impact

Quick answer: 2026 ACA benchmark silver premiums rose 26% on average nationally — the largest single-year increase in eight years (KFF, 2026). Florida benchmark jumped 34.1% (FL OIR), Texas ~22%. Enhanced ARPA/IRA subsidies expired 12/31/2025, restoring the 400% FPL subsidy cliff ($62,600 single / $128,600 family of 4). 80% of enrollees still qualify for some subsidy.

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Outside the windows, Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) still let you change plans if you moved, lost coverage, qualify for Extra Help / dual eligible, or had a plan terminated. Call to see if you qualify.

Check SEP eligibility (15-min) →

What changed for 2026

Three concurrent shifts drove the 2026 ACA premium surge:

Enhanced subsidies expired. ARPA (2021) + IRA (2022) capped premium contributions at 8.5% of income and eliminated the 400% FPL cliff. Both expired 12/31/2025. House passed extension Jan 2026; Senate undecided as of late May 2026.
Carrier filings reset higher. Insurers priced 2026 plans assuming the subsidy expansion would NOT renew — meaning the enrollee gets the full price, not the subsidized price that was previously the de facto market price.
Medical inflation + reinsurance changes. CMS reduced federal reinsurance funding for state-based exchanges; medical-cost trend ran ~7% in 2025.

Florida impact — the largest ACA state

Florida is the #1 ACA marketplace state in the U.S. — 4.54 million enrollees in 2026 per the CMS Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period National Snapshot (Becker's Payer Issues, January 2026). Per the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation rate filings, the benchmark silver plan rose 34.1% — from $648/month in 2025 to $867/month in 2026 (40-year-old non-smoker). Florida-specific drivers:

~80% of Florida enrollees were in heavily-subsidized plans paying $0-$10/month before; the subsidy reset more than doubled the average net premium for that cohort.
Florida-Blue, Oscar, Ambetter (Centene), Molina remain the major carriers — none exited the marketplace, but all repriced upward.
Self-employed Floridians (Florida has one of the highest self-employment rates) are disproportionately affected by the subsidy cliff — 82% of self-employed nationally claimed PTC in 2022.

→ Florida ACA Marketplace details by county

Texas impact — the #2 ACA state

Texas has ~4 million ACA marketplace enrollees as of 2026. Average benchmark silver rose ~22%, with material variation across the state's 26 rating areas. The Rio Grande Valley and Houston metro saw the largest absolute premium dollar increases due to lower starting baselines. Carrier landscape: Ambetter (Centene), Oscar, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (HCSC), UnitedHealthcare, Community Health Choice, and Molina all continue serving the marketplace.

→ Texas ACA Marketplace details by county

The 400% FPL subsidy cliff — 2026 thresholds

With enhanced subsidies expired, the pre-ARPA cliff is back. Households earning more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level receive zero premium tax credit — even one dollar over the line. 2026 thresholds (based on 2025 FPL):

Household size	100% FPL	200% FPL	400% FPL (cliff)
1 person	$15,650	$31,300	$62,600
2 people	$21,150	$42,300	$84,600
3 people	$26,650	$53,300	$106,600
4 people	$32,150	$64,300	$128,600
5 people	$37,650	$75,300	$150,600

Source: HHS Poverty Guidelines + ACA premium tax credit eligibility rules (45 C.F.R. §155.305). 2026 coverage year uses 2025 FPL.

If your premium just jumped — what to compare

Three things worth running side-by-side before re-enrolling:

Bronze with HSA. If you're healthy and the deductible is manageable, a high-deductible bronze plan paired with an HSA can net out cheaper than subsidized silver — especially if you're now over 400% FPL.
Catastrophic coverage. Available under-30 or with a hardship exemption. Limited but cheap.
Bridge to Medicare. If you're 60-65, COBRA + a short-term plan might bridge the gap to Medicare more economically than full-price marketplace.

Got hit by the 2026 premium increase?

We compare your 2026 options at no cost. Pick a time — Matt will model your subsidy scenario, run bronze/silver/gold side-by-side, and surface bridge-to-Medicare options if you're between 60 and 65.

Or run the 90-second quote

Sources: KFF Marketplace 2026 Benchmark Premium Analysis · FL OIR 2026 Rate Filings · CMS Marketplace 2026 OEP National Snapshot · HHS 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines · Becker's Payer Issues January 2026 reporting on CMS National Snapshot. Giron Agency LLC is a licensed insurance agency.