FINAL DAY: Open Enrollment Ends Tonight | Act Now
Open Enrollment ends tonight at 11:59 PM. If you don't enroll or update your plan by midnight, you're locked out until next year. Don't let auto-enrollment cost you thousands—compare all options before the deadline.
Open Enrollment
Final Day of Open Enrollment: What to Do Before Midnight
What happens if you miss the deadline
No coverage
- No health insurance for the year
- Pay full price for all medical care
- Can't enroll again until next Open Enrollment
- No protection from surprise medical bills
The auto-enrollment trap
- Stuck in your current plan at higher new-year rates
- Miss cheaper plan options
- Your doctors may no longer be in-network
- Could overpay thousands annually
If you don't have coverage: do this now
- Contact us immediately. We'll pull every available plan in your area, calculate your tax credit if you qualify, and show you the options side-by-side in minutes.
- Compare plans fast. We focus on premium, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether your doctors are in-network. Having coverage beats having none — we'll help you decide quickly.
- Enroll before midnight. We handle the enrollment and make sure it's completed before 11:59 PM. You can change plans next year, but you can't go back and enroll once the deadline passes.
If you have Marketplace coverage: review before auto-enrollment locks you in
- Review your current plan. Plans change every year — networks shift, premiums adjust, benefits get redesigned. We'll check whether yours is still the best option.
- Update your income for accurate subsidies. If your income changed, this recalculates your tax credit and your true monthly cost. We'll update it and compare all available plans at your actual pricing.
- Compare on total annual cost — not just premium. We factor deductible, copays, out-of-pocket max, and expected usage, and verify your doctors and prescriptions are still covered.
- Actively select your plan. Auto-enrollment is built for convenience, not savings. Choosing on purpose can save you hundreds or thousands.
If you're paying full price: consider a private PPO
If you don't qualify for subsidies or your income is above 400% of the federal poverty level, you're not required to use a Marketplace plan.
- Private PPOs often cost less for those paying full premium — better value with broader networks
- Year-round enrollment — private plans aren't limited to the Open Enrollment window
- Nationwide networks — coast-to-coast access, no HMO restrictions
- Direct specialist access — no primary-care gatekeepers
If Marketplace premiums jumped and you're getting minimal or no tax credit, we'll show you private options before the deadline.
Why the deadline matters
Once Open Enrollment closes at 11:59 PM, you're locked out until the next window unless you have a qualifying life event — losing other coverage, getting married, or having a baby.
Medical costs don't care that you missed the deadline. An ER visit can cost thousands; prescriptions, appointments, specialist visits, and lab work all come out of pocket without insurance.
Don't wait — let's get you covered
We'll compare your options and walk you through enrollment in minutes, before the deadline.
Get Free Quotes Now Book a CallFrequently asked questions
What if I miss the deadline?
You're locked out until the next Open Enrollment unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period — losing coverage, marriage, birth, adoption, or a move to a new state.
Can you still help me enroll today?
Yes — contact us immediately. We'll walk you through your options and complete enrollment in minutes before the deadline.
Are private PPOs cheaper than Marketplace plans?
If you don't qualify for subsidies, private PPOs can offer lower total costs with broader networks — especially for healthy applicants. We compare both for you.
For education only; eligibility and benefits vary by carrier and state. Always review official plan documents. RKA Insurance Advisors is an independent, licensed health insurance brokerage (NPN 19540130). We do not offer Medicare. Call (561) 806-9913.
Marketplace Premium Change Notifications: What They Mean & How to Respond
Marketplace premiums are jumping for 2026. If you received a rate increase notification, don't auto-renew without comparing options. We verify your doctors, compare ACA vs private PPO plans, and show total annual costs before the January 15 deadline.
Marketplace Premium Change Notifications: What They Mean & How to Respond
Fast take: If you received a Marketplace premium change notification, your 2026 rate is likely increasing—sometimes significantly. Don't auto-renew without comparing options. We'll verify your doctors, compare ACA plans vs. private PPOs, and show total annual costs before you commit.
Got a premium increase notice?
We'll compare your current plan against new Marketplace options and private PPOs—and verify your doctors stay in-network.
Get Free Quotes Book a CallWhat your notification means
Premium increase
✓ Your monthly cost is going up for 2026
✓ Increase can range from 10-30%+ depending on your state
✓ Driven by medical inflation, drug costs, and policy changes
Plan changes
✓ Network may have changed—verify your doctors
✓ Deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums may be higher
✓ Prescription formulary tiers may have shifted
Why premiums are jumping for 2026
- Medical inflation: Hospital and provider costs continue rising faster than general inflation
- Specialty drugs: GLP-1 medications and other high-cost drugs are pushing claims higher
- Subsidy uncertainty: Enhanced ACA subsidies may expire, raising net costs for middle-income families
- Carrier adjustments: Insurers are repricing based on 2024-2025 utilization patterns
What to do right now
1) Don't auto-renew blindly
If you do nothing, your current plan will automatically renew at the higher 2026 rate. You have until January 15 to switch plans during Open Enrollment.
2) Verify your provider network
Marketplace plans frequently change networks. Your current doctors may no longer be in-network for 2026—check before you commit.
3) Compare total annual cost
Don't just look at premium changes. Factor in:
- New deductible amounts
- Copays and coinsurance changes
- Out-of-pocket maximum increases
- Expected usage based on your health needs
4) Check alternative options
If your Marketplace premium is jumping significantly and you don't qualify for strong subsidies, private PPO options may offer:
- Lower total annual costs for healthy applicants
- Broader nationwide PPO networks
- Fewer referral requirements and restrictions
How to decide in minutes
Stay on Marketplace if...
✓ You qualify for strong income-based subsidies
✓ Your doctors are still in-network for 2026
✓ A different Marketplace plan offers better value
✓ You're comfortable with HMO/EPO restrictions
Consider Private PPO if...
✓ Your premium jumped 20%+ and subsidies are minimal
✓ You want nationwide PPO access and flexibility
✓ You travel frequently or need specialists
✓ You prefer direct access without referrals
How RKA handles premium increase notifications
- Network verification: We confirm your doctors are in-network for 2026—before you commit
- Side-by-side comparison: Current plan vs. new Marketplace options vs. private PPOs
- Total cost projection: Annual costs including premiums, deductibles, and expected usage
- Fast enrollment: We'll switch you to the best option before the January 15 deadline
Don't pay more without comparing options
We'll verify your doctors, compare all available plans, and show clear annual costs—before January 15.
Get Free Quotes Book a CallFAQ
Can I switch plans after getting a premium increase notice?
Yes—during Open Enrollment (through January 15), you can switch to any Marketplace plan or explore private PPO options if eligible.
Will my doctors still be covered in 2026?
Not necessarily. Networks change annually. We verify your specific providers before you commit to any plan.
Are private PPOs always more expensive than Marketplace?
No. If you don't qualify for subsidies, private PPOs can offer lower total costs with broader networks—especially for healthy applicants.
For education only; eligibility and benefits vary by carrier and state. Always review official plan documents.
Government Shutdown & ACA Subsidies: What It Means for You
Federal subsidy delays could impact millions of Americans if a government shutdown continues. Learn how to protect your coverage and compare PPO alternatives before Open Enrollment 2026.
Open Enrollment 2026
Oct 1 • Written by Robert Adams
Nov 1, 2025 → Jan 15, 2026 (most states)
Coverage starts Jan 1, 2026
Coverage starts Feb 1, 2026
Premium hikes already on the horizon
According to insurer filings and multiple reports, 2026 premiums are projected to rise 10–18% on average, with some state requests topping 30%. That can mean hundreds more per month for unsubsidized families—and thousands annually. See the map below for where requests are running hottest.
If subsidies pause (shutdown/lapse), what actually happens?
- No one is “kicked off” a plan mid-month. Carriers still bill the full premium; the advance-credit portion can be delayed.
- Net premium could temporarily jump until payments resume or are reconciled at tax time.
- Eligibility doesn’t vanish. Credits reconcile on your tax return; amounts due can be settled then.
- Timelines matter. Short pauses may be smoothed by carriers; longer gaps create real cash-flow strain.
How to protect your wallet now
- Lock in your coverage window. Enroll early so your start date and network are set.
- Model the true annual cost. Premium + expected usage (copays/coinsurance + deductible + max OOP).
- Verify doctors & meds first. Keep your physicians in-network and Rx tiers on-formulary.
- Compare Marketplace vs Private PPO. If you don’t qualify for large subsidies, PPOs can beat exchange nets for access.
- Have a back-up payment plan. Be ready to bridge a month if a subsidy delay hits to avoid cancellation.
Not sure which option fits your family?
We’ll compare ACA vs PPOs, check doctors, and give you a clean cost forecast so you can enroll with confidence about 2026.
Get Free Quotes Book a CallQuick FAQs
Will a shutdown cancel my plan?
No — coverage continues, but billing may shift.
How much more could I pay?
Some families could see hundreds more per month unsubsidized if subsidies pause.
Can a Private PPO be cheaper than Marketplace?
Yes — depending on income, network, and benefits, PPOs may beat ACA net cost.
What if my subsidy is delayed?
Have a bridge plan (savings, credit, or employer coverage) to avoid cancellation risk.
Robert Adams • President & Licensed Agent • NPN 19540130
Licensed in AL, CO, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, KS, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, NV, OH, OK, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY
For education only; eligibility and benefits vary by carrier and state. Always review official plan documents.
