The expiration of enhanced ACA premium tax credits and new Trump administration policies mean big changes for catastrophic and bronze ACA plans in 2026, per KFF.
Six notes:
- Catastrophic plans are available in 36 states and Washington, D.C., for 2026, down from 40 states and D.C. in 2025.
- The share of marketplace enrollees with access to catastrophic plans fell from 87% to 76% over the same period.
- Less than 1% of marketplace enrollees selected a catastrophic plan in 2025, while 30% chose a bronze plan.
- The average lowest-cost catastrophic plan for a 27-year-old is $346 per month in 2026, a 29% increase from 2025.
- Catastrophic plan deductibles equal the ACA’s out-of-pocket maximum: $10,600 for individuals and $21,200 for families. The average bronze plan deductible is $7,476.
- HSA-eligible plans on HealthCare.gov jumped from 4% in 2025 to 35% in 2026 after H.R. 1 expanded eligibility to all bronze and catastrophic plans.
