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Reflections on the Potential Premium Insurance Hikes
Members of NPAF's social media working group share their eye-opening experience researching premium increases for select states and what the impact might mean for patients.
Recently, volunteers for the Social Media Working Group, Eileen and Emma, used the cost comparison tools of select states to determine how much premiums would increase for 2026. In this blog post, they reflect on the process of creating this social media post and share their personal takeaways after using the tools themselves and what it might mean for patients.
When we learned about the potential for the enhanced Advanced Tax Credits (eAPTCs) expiring, we knew it would be important to educate the public, specifically patients, about what it might mean for their wallet. The initial reports we saw were shocking and we wanted to dig deeper and find out how much more premiums would cost in certain states. We used the cost comparison tools for states that operate their own Marketplace website to see exactly how much premiums would increase and felt compelled to share these results with a greater audience. This social media post is intended to help people understand how these premium increases can impact those enrolled in an Affordable Care Act Marketplace plan. We also wanted everyone to feel comfortable using the cost comparison tools.
States that operate their own Marketplace plan have different websites and sometimes different queries or inputs to enter before you can see the price estimates. By and large, consumers will need to provide:
- Date of birth or Age
- Location (City or County)
- Number of dependents (including you
- Income
During our trial of the tools, we found the websites straightforward and simple to use. While states organized their respective inputs in differing orders and formats, the above categories were consistent amongst all the websites we tried. Some states, such as Nevada and Kentucky, provide optional applications to test if consumers qualify for tax credits or other programs, although all sites allow people to skip and directly view plans.
Furthermore, we felt it was important to compare plan prices between 2025 versus 2026, so people can see how much premiums would increase and potentially plan ahead, especially since Open Enrollment is currently underway.
Because social media is largely accessible to everyone – patients, insured/uninsured, and caregivers – across the country, it was important that we make this social media post understandable and easy to share so anyone could access the information and the tools. Using the cost comparison tools allows anyone shopping for insurance to not only compare their insurance premiums between different years but also anticipate other health-related costs.
This whole exercise was eye-opening. As young adults still regarded as dependents under our parents’ health insurance plan, this was a learning experience that showed us the very complex process involved in shopping for insurance plans. We also found it interesting that you needed to report an income level to even use the cost comparison tools.
We were also struck by how expensive insurance plans were becoming, with plans more than doubling in price. We wondered if the premium increases would just discourage patients from enrolling in health insurance, particularly those who cannot afford it without assistance. Our biggest takeaway from putting together this social media post is that for many, health insurance truly is a premium luxury.
Eileen, 23, is a graduate of the University of Maryland. She earned a B.S. in Neurobiology and Physiology and has been a volunteer with NPAF since January 2025. She found NPAF through a desire to explore the intersection between healthcare and advocacy. As an aspiring physician, Eileen is passionate about ensuring patients and caregivers are supported through their journey in a complex healthcare system, including understanding how they can advocate for themselves and knowing where to reach for more support.
Emma, 22, is a recent graduate of the University of Arizona. She earned a B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology and has been a volunteer with NPAF since May 2026. She volunteers at NPAF because she knows the importance of making information accessible to patients and caregivers across the country so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare. Emma hopes to attend law school in the future so she can continue supporting patients and their caregivers through policy changes and legal representation.
