New York's Private Health Insurance Enrollment Plummets Amid Rising Premiums
As of early January, New Yorkers are signing up for private health plans at a slower pace compared to last year, with a 3% decrease in enrollment figures reported. This trend is mirrored in other state and federal data on Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment.
However, it's worth noting that overall health coverage in the state has not seen a drop-off yet. The Essential Plan, a publicly funded insurance option for lower-income New Yorkers, has actually experienced an increase of 6% in enrollment as of early January. This plan offers free or very cheap coverage, providing some relief to those struggling with rising premiums.
In contrast, private health plans have seen significant price hikes. Premiums have skyrocketed by about 40% this year, with the estimated monthly premium for the 140,000 New Yorkers benefiting from federal insurance subsidies increasing by $114. For the full year, this amounts to nearly $1,400 more in costs.
One coach, Rebecca Boyden, who recently signed up for a health plan through the marketplace, is now grappling with whether she can afford her new bronze-level plan that costs $686 per month. She's trying to figure out what she can do without in order to make ends meet and has been questioning how much she can stomach not having health insurance at all.
The expiration of enhanced federal insurance subsidies has also played a role in this trend. Although lawmakers attempted to extend these subsidies, they expired at the end of 2025, leaving many New Yorkers facing higher premiums without increased financial assistance.
With the deadline for enrolling in 2026 plans looming, state officials are concerned that some individuals with high insurance costs may drop their plans once they face their first premium bills. As a result, it's essential for those who have enrolled to carefully review their options and consider whether they can afford their chosen coverage.
As of early January, New Yorkers are signing up for private health plans at a slower pace compared to last year, with a 3% decrease in enrollment figures reported. This trend is mirrored in other state and federal data on Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment.
However, it's worth noting that overall health coverage in the state has not seen a drop-off yet. The Essential Plan, a publicly funded insurance option for lower-income New Yorkers, has actually experienced an increase of 6% in enrollment as of early January. This plan offers free or very cheap coverage, providing some relief to those struggling with rising premiums.
In contrast, private health plans have seen significant price hikes. Premiums have skyrocketed by about 40% this year, with the estimated monthly premium for the 140,000 New Yorkers benefiting from federal insurance subsidies increasing by $114. For the full year, this amounts to nearly $1,400 more in costs.
One coach, Rebecca Boyden, who recently signed up for a health plan through the marketplace, is now grappling with whether she can afford her new bronze-level plan that costs $686 per month. She's trying to figure out what she can do without in order to make ends meet and has been questioning how much she can stomach not having health insurance at all.
The expiration of enhanced federal insurance subsidies has also played a role in this trend. Although lawmakers attempted to extend these subsidies, they expired at the end of 2025, leaving many New Yorkers facing higher premiums without increased financial assistance.
With the deadline for enrolling in 2026 plans looming, state officials are concerned that some individuals with high insurance costs may drop their plans once they face their first premium bills. As a result, it's essential for those who have enrolled to carefully review their options and consider whether they can afford their chosen coverage.
I was in NY last year and signed up for that bronze-level plan too. It cost me $500 a month back then. Now it's $686?! My wife is freaking out, we're not sure how she's gonna afford this. The Essential Plan does seem like an option but our income isn't low enough to qualify. I wish they'd come up with something more affordable for people in our situation. It's stressful thinking about going without health insurance at all.
It's like people are waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know? They're signing up now because they have to, but are they really ready for the financial reality of having health insurance in 2026? I mean, what's the point of having a safety net if it just feels like another source of stress? 
I think this is a perfect example of how the government needs to step in and regulate healthcare costs more effectively. The 40% price hike is just too much for people like Rebecca, who's already struggling to make ends meet 
I'm really worried about people like Rebecca Boyden who are struggling to make ends meet with rising healthcare costs. 40% price hike is insane! 
What's the point of having a health plan if it's just gonna break your bank? And it's not just about affordability, what's happening to all these people who lost their subsidies? It's like they're being forced to choose between paying rent or paying for healthcare. 
We need some serious changes in the system, stat! 
. like, we're already feeling the pinch with rising premiums, and now it's like "oh well, good luck figuring out a new plan" 
. some ppl gotta wonder if this whole healthcare thing was just a big scam from day 1 
.
Rising premiums are just killing people and making it hard for them to even think about getting health insurance 
she needs to find ways to cut back on expenses and make ends meet before the new year starts 
I'm all about supporting our fellow humans who need help navigating this crazy system 
we gotta stick together as a community and look out for each other 
let's spread some positivity and hope that things get better soon 
essential plan is actually doin better, thats cool tho! 
but like whats gonna happen when ppl cant afford it no more? 
. And what's even more messed up is that the Essential Plan is actually doing better 
... it's like we're supposed to choose between paying too much or having almost nothing? It don't make sense 
