The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) is alerting consumers about the preliminary rate increases submitted by insurers for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans for 2026. The proposed rate increase for plans sold on Arizona’s ACA marketplace range from approximately 2.5% to 55.3%.
Rate changes are an annual process where insurers review their costs and submit proposed rates to state regulators. Submitted rates have a direct effect on the premiums customers pay for coverage. Several factors, including changes occurring within the federal government, are influencing the proposed changes for 2026:
- Rising Healthcare Costs: The underlying cost of medical care, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription drugs are significant drivers of rate changes.
- Expiration of Tax Credits: Federal enhanced premium tax credits, which have helped many people afford their monthly premiums, are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. If these credits are allowed to expire, consumers will have to pay a larger portion of the total cost out of their own pockets. Insurers are expecting this to prompt healthier enrollees to reduce or drop coverage- which would increase underlying premiums.
- Tariffs: The costs of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies could increase due to tariffs on imported goods, which may in turn drive up health insurance premiums. However, there is still uncertainty about the full impact of these trade policies, and not all insurers are accounting for tariffs in their rate development.
DIFI is urging consumers to be proactive during the upcoming Open Enrollment period, which begins on November 1, 2025.
- Don’t Settle: Before accepting an auto-enrollment into a new plan option, consumers should review their options in comparison to their current plan, as it may not be the best value for 2026.
- Shop Around: When Open Enrollment starts, compare all available plans on HealthCare.gov.
- Look Beyond the Premium: A lower monthly premium may not necessarily translate to a more affordable plan overall. Consumers should consider the total potential costs, including the monthly premium, deductible, copay/coinsurance, and medications covered.
- Check the Network: Verify that preferred doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies are included in any new plan’s network, as going out-of-network can be very expensive.
- Seek Help: Free assistance is available from licensed health insurance agents or brokers who can help navigate the options.
The Department also advises consumers to be vigilant against scams and organizations offering limited, sub-par benefits at significantly lower cost that are not compliant with the ACA. Consumers are encouraged to STOP | CONTACT | CONFIRM:
- STOP – Pause before purchasing. Do not be pressured to sign today. If someone says, “this offer is expiring now,” be cautious. Remember: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- CONTACT – Get advice from a trusted source. Contact a Health insurance navigator at https://coveraz.org/ to help you navigate the Marketplace and the various options available to you.
- CONFIRM – You can look up agent and company information on the Department’s website to verify that they each hold a valid license before buying anything from them. https://difi.az.gov/license-
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To assist Arizonans, DIFI has created a website with resources for the 2026 healthcare insurance rate hikes and upcoming open enrollment. For more information, visit: https://difi.az.gov/2026-open-
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