ACA Insurers Seek Median 14% 2027 Rate Hike as Subsidy Loss Shrinks Enrollment
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 8
ACA Insurers Seek Median 14% 2027 Rate Hike as Subsidy Loss Shrinks Enrollment
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 8
Summary
A KFF review of 77 ACA plan filings in 16 states and Washington, D.C., found insurers seeking a median 14% premium increase for 2027, with 20 plans asking for hikes of 20% or more.
Rising hospital, doctor and prescription drug costs are driving the requests, with medical and drug spending up 10%; insurers also cited GLP-1 obesity drugs, specialty medicines and Trump administration marketplace rule changes.
The end of enhanced premium tax credits in 2026 left consumers paying more, and some healthier members dropped coverage, leaving a smaller, sicker risk pool that insurers expect to persist into 2027.
Enrollment had fallen to 19.2 million by February from 23.1 million who signed up by January 2026, underscoring the affordability pressure as regulators review filings before rates are finalized.