Open enrollment begins amid uncertainty over future premium tax credits
Open enrollment for 2026 health insurance plans is now underway in Idaho and about to start everywhere else on Nov. 1. Millions of Americans are reviewing their options for next year’s coverage without knowing if Congress will extend the enhanced premium tax credits that makes coverage more affordable for millions of people.
These enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025. Without action from Congress, many individuals and families could face significant increases in what they pay each month for coverage starting in 2026.
What are enhanced premium tax credits?
As medical costs rise, health insurance premiums increase too, since premiums reflect the expected cost such as hospital stays, doctor visits and prescription drugs. Premium tax credits help by lowering monthly premiums for people who buy coverage through their state health insurance marketplace. You can apply the credit directly to your monthly bill or claim it later when you file your taxes.
In 2021 Congress increased the amount of premium tax credits people get and made them available to people who were not eligible before that. The tax credits people get today, with the extra help that started in 2021, are called “enhanced” premium tax credits.
For example, if your monthly premium is $500 and you qualify for a $300 enhanced premium tax credit, you would only pay $200 per month for coverage. The federal government covers the rest directly with your insurance company.
What happens if Congress does not act?
The enhanced premium tax credits have been a game-changer for millions since 2021, but they are temporary. If Congress does not extend them before the end of 2025, the extra help will disappear, and millions of people will see higher premiums for their 2026 coverage.
Impacts will vary based on your estimated 2026 income, family size, age and where you live. You can now see estimates of your 2026 premium if Congress does not act for Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Estimates will be available for Utah by Nov. 1.
Why this matters now
Without congressional action to extend the enhanced premium tax credits, millions of Americans could face substantial premium increases starting in 2026:
- ACA premiums would more than double if the enhanced tax credits expire, increasing from an average annual premium of $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026
- A family of four earning $64,000 could see annual premiums rise by about $2,600
- A 60-year-old couple earning $80,000 could face a $17,500 annual increase
- 4.2 million people are likely to lose their coverage because they can no longer afford it
What is being done to extend the tax credits?
As the 2025 deadline approaches, advocates, state regulators, health care organizations and consumer groups are urging Congress to extend the enhanced premium tax credits. Until lawmakers act, millions of Americans who rely on these credits face uncertainty about what their 2026 coverage will cost. The longer Congress waits, the more difficult it becomes for consumers to make informed choices during open enrollment.
To learn more or share your story, visit Keep Americans Covered or Voices for Affordable Health.
