Health Insurance Premiums Rise as Some Americans Consider Dropping Coverage

Health insurance premiums rose sharply for many Americans after enhanced subsidies for some marketplace plans expired at the end of 2025. Employer-sponsored plans also recorded increases of 6% to 7% in monthly premiums. For some households the monthly premium now exceeds the mortgage payment.

Insurance networks have narrowed while prior authorization requirements and longer wait times have become more common. Patients and physicians report spending additional time navigating coverage rules and explanations of benefits.

An emergency medicine physician based in the Washington, D.C. area stated that patients express confusion over in-network services and face hurdles filling medications. The same physician noted that even physicians who become patients encounter similar administrative difficulties.

The physician described potential consequences of forgoing coverage, including skipped preventive appointments, delayed care, and medication rationing. Cases that could have been treated earlier may reach emergency departments at more advanced stages.

The physician expressed concern that higher numbers of uninsured patients could increase emergency department volume and shift care toward later-stage treatment. Insurers have been urged to simplify plan language, improve transparency on in-network services, and reduce administrative requirements.

The article noted that other consumer services have adopted new technologies while insurance processes have remained largely unchanged.