Managing rising health care costs: Here's what to know

Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 - Employer-sponsored healthcare premiums are projected to increase by an average of 65% for employees [2] - Medicare Part B standard monthly premiums could rise by 116% [3] - Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurers may raise premiums by approximately 26% on average [3] - Without renewed enhanced tax subsidies, monthly premium payments for about 22 million ACA participants could double [3] Strategies for Managing Healthcare Costs - Individuals should track their out-of-pocket healthcare costs (co-payments, medical bills, prescriptions, over-the-counter expenses) to estimate future expenses and coverage needs [4] - Evaluate in-network and out-of-network coverage options when choosing a plan [5] - Consider the trade-off between higher premiums with lower deductibles versus lower premiums with higher deductibles [5] - If eligible, take advantage of a Health Savings Account (HSA) [5] - In 2026, individuals can make a tax-deductible HSA contribution of up to $4400 for themselves or $8750 for their family [6] ACA Plan Considerations - Healthy individuals in the ACA network should consider a bronze plan for emergency coverage, offering the lowest premium but higher out-of-pocket expenses and deductibles [9] - Individuals with minor chronic illnesses might consider a bronze plan plus a direct primary care subscription plan [10] - Individuals with serious illnesses should opt for the most comprehensive coverage, such as a gold or platinum plan [11]