Pennsylvanians covered through the commonwealth’s Obamacare marketplace faced a Dec. 15 deadline for re-enrolling in the health program amid uncertainty over whether they’ll see a dramatic spike in premium costs in 2026.
Federal tax credits that lowered the cost of Pennie insurance are due to expire at year’s end. The state estimates that enrollees will see their premium payments roughly double next year unless Congress acts to extend the subsidies.
But lawmakers in Washington, D.C., are at odds over whether to renew the credits. Republicans favor phasing them out or want to let them lapse, replacing them with other measures to contain costs. Democrats are fighting to extend the subsidies.
Without the credits, monthly premiums for Pennsylvanians enrolled in the marketplace will shoot up by as much as $367, according to the state.
Advocates in Pennsylvania say the looming increases will likely force Pennie enrollees to cancel their insurance or “make difficult choices like dropping down to a plan with far less coverage, avoiding seeing the doctor, rationing necessary medications, or going without other necessities,” said Antoinette Kraus, executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network.
“For people living with diseases like cancer or diabetes, this could be the difference between getting lifesaving treatment or going without it,” Kraus said in a statement.
How much will my premiums go up?
Estimated premium increases will vary depending on an enrollee’s age, income level and location. However, the state has released average county-by-county numbers.
By percentage, average monthly premiums will spike the most in:
- Juniata County (485%)
- Fulton County (411%)
- Northumberland County (280%)
- Mifflin County (268%)
- Snyder County (258%).
By dollar amount, the biggest average hikes will be in:
- Juniata County ($367)
- Fulton County ($336)
- Schuylkill County ($347)
- Lehigh County ($330)
- Northampton County ($317).
Erie County is set to see average monthly premiums go up by about 80%, or $129, according to the state’s analysis.
Thousands have already canceled Pennie coverage
More than 45,000 people across the commonwealth have already dumped their Pennie plans during open enrollment for the coming year, according to officials.
Thirty-three counties, including Monroe, Carbon, Lebanon, York and Beaver, had seen 10% or more of their enrollees terminate coverage as of Dec. 11, the state has reported.
State officials say people ages 55 to 64 are canceling their insurance at the highest levels, but close behind are people in their late 20s and early 30s. Losing younger, healthier people from the health insurance system will, in turn, lead to increased premiums for those who re-enroll, officials add.
