Enhanced taxpayer-subsidized ACA premiums end; some Nevadans face an average $76 monthly premium increase in 2026.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), enacted in 2010, created online health insurance marketplaces to help people who don't get coverage through their job, Medicaid, or Medicare. Most users are independent workers, early retirees, and people whose jobs don't offer benefits. These marketplace plans have stayed affordable because the federal government uses taxpayer money to provide premium subsidies. The subsidies were increased in 2021, which lowered monthly premiums even more for most people. Those enhanced subsidies ended on December 31, 2025, so many people on ACA marketplace plans will face higher monthly bills starting in 2026. Regular ACA premium tax credits remain.
In Nevada, the state-run Marketplace is Nevada Health Link. More than 110,000 Nevadans enroll in Marketplace plans for coverage, with nearly 87% receiving premium subsidies that reduced their health insurance premiums by an average of $465 per month. Nevada enrollees mirror national trends but reflect the state's economy, including many self-employed professionals, freelancers, gig workers, and service industry workers in tourism and hospitality sectors.
To enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan, you must be a citizen or lawfully present immigrant and not be incarcerated. Premium subsidies are available based on your household income and family size. For 2026, subsidies are available to households with income at or above 100% of the federal poverty level and no higher than 400% of that level. Generally, to qualify for the premium subsidies, household income must be between $15,650 and $62,600 per year for one person (or $32,150 and $128,600 for a family of four) in most states.
As 2026 begins, the full price of health insurance plans on Nevada's Marketplace went up by an average of about 22%, which is higher than the national average of around 20%. This is due to things like higher medical costs and people using more health services. Across the country, this hits around 22 million people who get enhanced subsidies. In Nevada, most people on these plans will pay about $76 more a month.
A few states, including New Mexico, California, Maryland, Colorado, Connecticut, and Vermont, are using state funds to help offset the expiration of federal enhanced ACA premium subsidies. Nevada is not providing additional state money to replace the subsidies. However, Nevada launched the Battle Born State Plan, a new lower-cost public option available on Nevada Health Link that is designed with reduced premiums. Additionally, a new reinsurance program, funded through federal pass-through savings, begins in 2026 to help stabilize and lower costs across the entire individual health insurance market.
