Arkansas ACA Marketplace Faces Rising Premiums, Reduced Subsidies for 2026

Arkansas health insurance marketplace enrollees face significant premium increases for 2026 alongside reduced federal subsidy support. Insurers proposed an average 22.1% premium hike after an earlier 34.5% proposal. Concurrently, the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits, initially bolstered by the American Rescue Plan Act, shifts more cost burden onto consumers, particularly households earning below 400% of the federal poverty line. This financial strain is prompting many to adjust plan selections, with a notable trend from silver-tier plans to gold or bronze options to mitigate out-of-pocket expenses. Subsidies are calculated based on silver-tier premiums, influencing consumer shifts as gold and bronze plans can offer cost advantages despite differing coverage levels. The marketplace deadline for Jan. 1 coverage remains critical, underscoring the urgency for enrollees to evaluate their options promptly. The changes reflect broader policy and market dynamics, including the recent federal government shutdown over subsidy extensions. Arkansas currently enrolls approximately 166,000 people in marketplace plans, not including over 220,000 covered through the state Medicaid expansion program ARHOME. Though consumers with lower healthcare utilization may find bronze plans cost-effective, those with higher needs could experience increased financial burden due to deductibles and copayments. These premium increases and subsidy rollbacks bear important implications for access and affordability of ACA marketplace coverage in Arkansas moving forward.