Projected Rise in Health Insurance Premiums Under ACA for 2027

Health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are projected to rise, with insurers proposing median rate increases of 14% for the 2027 plans, according to a preliminary analysis by KFF, a health policy nonprofit. This study reviewed filings from 77 plans across 16 states and Washington, DC. Almost half of these insurers are seeking rate hikes between 10% and 15% compared to their 2026 rates, while 20 plans are requesting increases of 20% or more.

Insurers have until July 15 to finalize their 2027 premium requests, which will undergo scrutiny by federal and state regulators to determine approved rate changes. This development marks the second consecutive year that ACA marketplace insurers have proposed double-digit rate hikes, following the removal of enhanced subsidies that previously made ACA plans more affordable.

Cynthia Cox, senior vice president and director of the ACA program at KFF, remarked on the "triple hit" of consecutive premium increases and subsidy reductions, underscoring the significant impact on individuals not receiving subsidies. As of February, ACA enrollments reached 19.2 million, down from 23.1 million in January 2026, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A separate report from Georgetown University's Center on Health Insurance Reforms, released on June 18, also forecasts rising premiums for ACA coverage in 2027, with increases ranging from 6.5% in Vermont to 22.4% in Washington state. Sabrina Corlette, co-director of the Center, attributes these projections to a shrinking and less healthy insurance pool, driving premiums upward.