January 1, 2026 is just over a week away. When it comes, though,

[MineralMan]

the reality of what will happen with ACA health insurance premiums is going to hit people very hard. They've been expecting Congress to finally give in and extend the subsidies. That isn't going to happen before the start of the year.

The shock this is all going to bring is going to be a game-changer, I believe.

We'll see in a couple of weeks what the reaction is going to be.

Look Out!

[OLDMDDEM]

1. I'm with you on this. People will not only be pissed off, I think they will protest, if not revolt. This is huge.

[MineralMan]

3. Exactly. I know that many have been counting on

an extension, which is apparently not going to happen.

[dalton99a]

2. Especially for people who are on auto-renew and auto-draft.

[MineralMan]

5. Right. Good Point.

When I was still on ACA, that's what I did. I just let my coverage roll over in the new year. I didn't even check to see what the premium would be.

There are many people who aren't in the news loop much at all. Just wait until their premium payment empties their checking account. There's going to ba huge cry of "WTAF!?!" heard in the land. ACA has been taken for granted, now, for many years. That's about to end.

[PikaBlue]

4. Not Just ACA premiums will be impacted

If a large number of ACA clients drop their insurance coverage due to cost increases, the pool of all participants shrinks. In order to recoup the lost revenue, insurers will most likely increase the premiums of workplace employment healthcare plans. Employers and employees will have to choose between more expensive healthcare premiums or reduced healthcare plan coverage. I just can't see insurance companies settling for a drop in profits.

[MineralMan]

8. Yes, although that will take a little more time to hit.

Same with Medicare Advantage. We lost a big plan here in Minnesota for 2026, with UCare going away. My wife has switched to the same coverage I have. Our monthly premiums went up a little, but not dramatically. Of course they take the Part B amount every month, but we weren't seeing that either.

Still, there is going to be a slow rise in the cost of all health insurance quite soon. It's a major draw on most people's income. That's going to play strongly in the midterm elections, I believe. Republican legislators are going to have to make some decisions soon.

[underpants]

6. So I'm guessing there's a reset on premiums if/when subsidies are reinstated?

Does the plan year begin Jan. 1 or is that the end of the decision sign-up period?

[MineralMan]

9. The plan years begin on January 1. If you sign up for an ACA plan in January,

your coverage won't begin until February 1. For Medicare recipients, the sign-up period for Advantage plans or Supplements has already ended.

[underpants]

10. Okay thanks.

I need to start looking into that stuff.
My pension, social security estimate, and retirement health insurance (possibly an extension of my current coverage) in that order.

[MineralMan]

11. Yeah, if you're approaching retirement, you need to get an understanding

of all that crap. It's not really all that complicated, but there is a learning curve.

[leftstreet]

7. DURec

[2naSalit]

12. And with that...

I feel I have arrived in my safe spot just in time. Shit's gonna get ugly out there.

[MineralMan]

13. Yeah, I hear you.

I'm 80 years old now, and doing OK. I'm good for at least another decade financially, with enough for more.

I can just sit this out as a spectator, but that's not like me, so...

[murielm99]

14. I'm 77.

I am not sitting this out, either. None of that, "I've got mine, the hell with everyone else."