LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) — As open enrollment begins for 2026 coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many Kentucky families are experiencing sticker shock from rising health insurance premiums.
According to Priscilla Easterling, Outreach and Enrollment Director for Kentucky Voices for Health, more than 100,000 people across the Commonwealth enrolled in Kynect, Kentucky’s ACA marketplace, in 2025. The platform helps families find affordable healthcare coverage and offers premium tax credits to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Easterling said that early notifications sent in October warned enrollees of significant premium hikes for 2026. On average, plan options have increased by $181 per month for Kentucky families.
“One of the big things that most people experience is going to be sticker shock,” Easterling said.
The premium increases come amid ongoing federal budget gridlock in Congress, with lawmakers divided over whether to extend the enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of this year. These subsidies, introduced in 2021, have helped many families afford coverage.
Easterling noted that with the rising costs of food, gas, and utilities, an additional $181 per month could make or break a family’s budget.
Typically, about 90% of Kentuckians on Kynect automatically re-enroll in the same plan each year. However, Easterling is urging families to carefully review their budgets and available plan options before renewing coverage.
She advised that some households may benefit from choosing high-deductible plans that cap out-of-pocket costs, especially if they anticipate significant medical expenses.
“This is a really good year to stop and do that assessment — what’s going to protect me and my family while still fitting within our budget,” she said.
Easterling expressed concern that some Kentuckians might go without insurance due to higher premiums. Still, she emphasized that 2025 saw record Kynect enrollment, suggesting more people were able to find affordable coverage through the marketplace.
She hopes Congress will not only renew the subsidies but make them permanent to ensure consistent access to care.
“More people are getting insured and being covered, which means more people can go to the doctor,” Easterling said.
Kentuckians must enroll by December 15 for coverage to begin January 1, 2026.
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