New York's ACA Health Insurance Enrollment Plummets as Premiums Rise Slightly.
A significant drop in enrollment numbers has been reported in New York's private health insurance marketplace through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) so far this year. As of early January, a total of 206,427 individuals have signed up for private insurance plans, which represents a decline of about 3% compared to the same period last year.
While enrollment numbers may be down overall, there has been an increase in coverage through New York's Essential Plan, a publicly funded option that offers free or very affordable coverage to lower-income residents. In fact, enrollment in the Essential Plan has risen by 6% compared to this time last year, according to state data.
For those who are currently enrolled in marketplace plans, premium costs have skyrocketed, with some individuals facing increases of as much as 40%. The enhanced federal insurance subsidies that were put in place to help lower these costs expired at the end of 2025. As a result, thousands of New Yorkers who previously benefited from these subsidies will now face higher premiums.
Rebecca Boyden, a Queens-based figure skating coach, is one individual who has been affected by the rising premium costs. She recently signed up for health coverage through the marketplace to avoid missing the deadline, but is still unsure if she can afford her Bronze-level plan that costs $686 per month - nearly twice what she paid last year.
The uncertainty surrounding these new premiums has led to concerns among state officials that some individuals may drop their plans once they receive their first premium bills. "It's a key concern for us," said Danielle DeSouza, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health.
A significant drop in enrollment numbers has been reported in New York's private health insurance marketplace through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) so far this year. As of early January, a total of 206,427 individuals have signed up for private insurance plans, which represents a decline of about 3% compared to the same period last year.
While enrollment numbers may be down overall, there has been an increase in coverage through New York's Essential Plan, a publicly funded option that offers free or very affordable coverage to lower-income residents. In fact, enrollment in the Essential Plan has risen by 6% compared to this time last year, according to state data.
For those who are currently enrolled in marketplace plans, premium costs have skyrocketed, with some individuals facing increases of as much as 40%. The enhanced federal insurance subsidies that were put in place to help lower these costs expired at the end of 2025. As a result, thousands of New Yorkers who previously benefited from these subsidies will now face higher premiums.
Rebecca Boyden, a Queens-based figure skating coach, is one individual who has been affected by the rising premium costs. She recently signed up for health coverage through the marketplace to avoid missing the deadline, but is still unsure if she can afford her Bronze-level plan that costs $686 per month - nearly twice what she paid last year.
The uncertainty surrounding these new premiums has led to concerns among state officials that some individuals may drop their plans once they receive their first premium bills. "It's a key concern for us," said Danielle DeSouza, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Health.
. It's just not right that premiums rose by 40% and now they're facing huge bills every month 
. We should really have more affordable options for everyone, especially those who are on a tight budget 
. The government needs to do something about this ASAP before people start dropping their health insurance plans.
40% increase in premiums is insane! Like, who thought that was a good idea? 
. They're already struggling to pay her clients back after a bad skate session... now she's gotta worry about paying her own health insurance bill? 
like seriously 3% less people enrolled already and its only january what even is going on?! 
and i read this one quote from danielle desouza spokesperson for ny state dept of health about ppl potentially dropping their plans cuz they cant afford it idk man my heart is breakin for these ppl
and ppl who used to get subsidies with the fed insurance don't know what hit 'em anymore 
I'm kinda worried about this news, but let's try to see it from a positive angle 
. The fact that enrollment in the Essential Plan is up by 6% is actually a great sign! It means more people are accessing affordable healthcare, which is something we should all be cheering for 
. And hey, even though some people are struggling with the new premium costs, it's not like they're going to go without coverage entirely 
. The health insurance market can be tough, but I'm sure there will be many creative solutions come up to help make healthcare more affordable for everyone 
. And who knows, maybe this is a wake-up call for the government to explore new ways to make healthcare more accessible and affordable? 
I'm kinda surprised that people are still signing up for healthcare plans despite the rising premiums. Like, don't get me wrong, it's not like they have any other options or anything... but $686 a month is a lot to swallow 
. I mean, Rebecca's situation is crazy - she has to pay almost double what she did last year for the same level of coverage 
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