Affordable Care Act premiums rise sharply ahead of 2027 enrollment

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 05:08 · Archive

Affordable Care Act premiums are rising by an average of 16 per cent in Pennsylvania for 2027 coverage, pushing some people to drop or downgrade their insurance.

Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act has begun, with the sign-up window running through 15 January. However, experts warn that rising premiums will push some people to drop coverage or switch to lesser plans. Pennsylvania will see an average 16 per cent increase in premiums for 2027 after a 21.5 per cent hike this year. That increase slightly exceeds the 13 per cent national average, placing Pennsylvania 25th among states and Washington D.C. for rate increases. Vermont is seeing the smallest increase at 3 per cent, whilst Arizona faces the highest at 28 per cent.

The increases are partly caused by the expiration of federal enhanced premium tax credits at the end of 2025, which caused rates to spike for many middle-income policyholders. Lance O'Brien, CEO of insurance broker MediConnect, said many cannot sustain the costs. 'It's either spend more, spend the same for less, or go without it completely,' he said. Over 200,000 Pennsylvanians have dropped health insurance coverage since this time last year, including more than 25,000 residents of Allegheny and Westmoreland counties, according to Pennie, the state's platform for purchasing Obamacare.

How it is being reported

• As Affordable Care Act enrollment begins, experts fear effects of rate hikes in Pa.Sunday marked the start of the open enrollment period for those insured under the Affordable Care Act to select their plans for next year.TribLIVE · 2 Nov, 23:10
• Fewer ACA options, higher costs await shoppers in 2027 open enrollmentThe sign-up window runs through Jan. 15, but experts warn rising premiums will push some enrollees out of the market.PennLive · 1 Nov, 16:34

In this story: Pennsylvania · Affordable Care Act · Vermont · Arizona · Lance O'Brien · MediConnect · Pennie · Allegheny County

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log