Individuals enrolled in marketplace plans are bracing for potential massive premium hikes for next year, and a new KFF survey digs into how they're thinking about their options.
KFF researchers polled 1,350 adults who are covered through the Affordable Care Act's exchanges between Nov. 7 and Nov. 15, and found that 1 in 3 said they are "very likely" to look instead for a plan with lower premiums, which would almost certainly come with a higher deductible and out-of-pocket costs.
A quarter said that they would likely instead go uninsured.
KFF notes that about 22 million of the 24 million people currently enrolled in marketplace plans qualify for the enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire in just a few weeks unless Congress reaches an eleventh hour deal to extend them.
Previous analyses from KFF found that premiums will rise on average by 114% for people in this market.
Most of the people surveyed (89%) said they plan to have a decision made about their coverage for 2026 by the end of the year, with many saying they've already made a choice. Enrollees have until Dec. 15 to select a plan that goes into effect Jan. 1.
Even with the tax credits in place, many of the individuals surveyed said they struggle to afford their plans and their medical expenses. Sixty-one percent of those polled said it is either very or somewhat difficult for them to afford their deductibles and out-of-pocket costs, while 51% said it is difficult to afford their premiums.
Nearly 60% of enrollees surveyed said they would not be able to afford a $300 annual increase in their healthcare expenses without it impacting their broader household finances, according to the survey.
The enrollees broadly support extending the tax credits, with 84% of those surveyed supporting an extension. That includes almost all people who identified as Democrats and 7 in 10 Republican voters, according to the survey.
They also said what happens with their health plans will likely influence their voting habits in the 2026 midterm elections. More than half of those surveyed (54%) said if their healthcare expenses were to increase by $1,000 or more next year, it would have a major impact on whether they vote in 2026.
In addition, 52% said such an increase would have a significant effect on which party's candidate they vote for.