ACA Health Insurance Costs to Increase

Tom Darby

Carson City, Nev. — Millions of Americans are seeing higher health insurance bills in 2026 following the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, and Nevada enrollees are among those most affected.

The enhanced premium subsidies, first enacted in 2021, expired on Dec. 31, 2025. While the Affordable Care Act’s original premium tax credits remain in place, the loss of the expanded assistance means many Nevadans enrolled through the state’s health insurance marketplace are now paying significantly more each month.

Nevada operates its own ACA exchange, Nevada Health Link, which serves more than 110,000 residents. Nearly 87 percent of enrollees receive premium subsidies, which previously lowered monthly health insurance costs by an average of $465.

With the enhanced subsidies now gone, most Nevadans on marketplace plans will pay about $76 more per month in 2026. Compounding the impact, the full, unsubsidized cost of health insurance plans on Nevada Health Link increased by an average of about 22 percent for 2026, exceeding the national average increase of roughly 20percent.

For 2026, households with incomes ranging from 100 to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, which typically corresponds to $15,650 to $62,600 annually for an individual or $32,150 to $128,600 for a family of four, are being offered subsidies.

Nevada officials point to new initiatives aimed at moderating costs. The state has launched the Battle Born State Plan, a lower-cost public option available through Nevada Health Link designed to reduce premiums.