ORLANDO, Fla. — Almost 4.7 million Floridians rely on the Affordable Care Act for health insurance. Many of them are getting policy renewal notices with sharp increases in what they will have to pay each month during 2026.
What You Need To Know
Florida has almost 4.7 million Affordable Care Act policyholders
Government subsidies that lower monthly premiums could expire December 31
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation expects ACA premiums to climb 34.1% in 2026
November is when people buy or renew health insurance policies through the Affordable Care Act. Florida has more residents using A.C.A. policies than any other state. Kiara Flores turned to the A.C.A. to purchase a policy for her family of six and is watching closely at how rates are impacted.
She says, “I’m very lucky that I was able to get my insurance.”
Flores’ premium is much lower than what many Affordable Care Act policy owners might pay next year. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation includes the prices 18 companies will charge in 2026 for individual A.C.A. policies.
The weighted average policy premium will increase from $648 per month in 2025 up to $867 per month in 2026. That’s an average increase of 34.1 percent.
Eli Santana is the principal and managing partner of Insurance Investment Group. He has sold and serviced A.C.A. policies in Florida for more than ten years. Santana says some families may be surprised by their new rates.
“Especially now with the government assistance going or changing. They’re going to see a big change. So, I would recommend to not be sub guard and be shocked,” he said.
The federal government has been paying subsidies to A.C.A. policy holders for the last several years to help lower monthly payments, but as of now those subsidies could end on December 31, pushing monthly premiums back up. Santana says several factors determine what someone will pay next year for an A.C.A. policy.
“Things do change. It could be your plan, to your income taxes, to how your health changes for the year. So, you have to review that as well,” he said.
Flores is relieved she will have affordable coverage next year, but she feels bad for many families facing steep increases.
“No matter your tax bracket, everyone should be able to have affordable health care,” he said.
Insurance experts say you should talk to an accountant to make sure you understand how the government A.C.A. subsidies offered in 2025 can affect your income tax return.