"As open enrollment approaches, the state's version of the Affordable Care Act exchange began warning Massachusetts residents about skyrocketing premiums as Congress continues its stalemate over the federal subsidies. As the federal shutdown continues, Democratic lawmakers are pushing to pass extensions of tax credits, which make health care cheaper for millions of Americans and expire at the end of the year. Ahead of open enrollment beginning Nov. 1, Massachusetts Health Connector has been sending out final eligibility notices, including premium information for 2026."
"A spokesperson said the average premium increase is estimated to be more than $1,300 a year if the enhanced Premium Tax Credits are not extended. "People can start to see those premium increases in their online member portal through the Health Connector, but the actual pieces of mail will likely be hitting people's mailboxes starting over the next several days, the next week or two," said Audrey Morse Gasteier, the executive director of Health Connector, per the State House News Service."
Democratic lawmakers are seeking extensions of enhanced Premium Tax Credits that expire at year-end to prevent higher costs for millions. Massachusetts Health Connector sent final eligibility notices ahead of Nov. 1 open enrollment that include 2026 premium estimates showing an average increase of more than $1,300 annually if credits are not extended. Notices appear in online member portals now and mailed notices will arrive in the coming days. Older residents and rural households face the largest impacts; several self-employed couples ages 57–62 earning about $85,000 could see between $1,687 and $3,124 added to their monthly premium when coverage goes unsubsidized. The credits, created in 2021 and extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act, helped over 300,000 Massachusetts residents and contributed to national marketplace enrollment rising from 11 to 24 million.
Read at Boston.com
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