OKLAHOMA CITY – Rising health care costs and recent policy decisions inWashington will affect Oklahoma consumers when they make their health insurance decisions for 2026, Oklahoma Insurance Department officials said in a news release.
The Health Insurance Marketplace is undergoing changes that will take effect in the next plan year, which begins Jan. 1, 2026, officials said.They said the Insurance Department is offering guidance to help consumers understand important dates and coverage options for the open enrollment period.
The most significant changes include:
• Higher premiums: Medical loss trends and rising health care costs will contribute to higher premiums.
• The end of enhanced subsidies: Enhanced premium tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, resulting in average net premium increases of more than 75% for some enrollees.
• Stricter eligibility and verification: To reduce fraud and improper enrollments, stricter income verification and other eligibility checks are being implemented.
• Loss of coverage for some: Expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and stricter regulations will likely result in a significant drop in enrollment. The anticipated consumer exodus is a major reason for higher premiums.
Enrollment dates for 2025 have not changed, officials said. Open enrollment starts Nov. 1, 2025, and runs through Jan. 15, 2026. People who want their coverage to begin Jan. 1 must enroll before Dec. 15, 2025.
“The biggest advice we can give to Oklahomans is to look carefully at each plan option,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready. “All consumers will be required to pass eligibility criteria to enroll.”
Approximately 300,000 Oklahomans rely on Marketplace plans for their health insurance coverage, according to the news release. The availability of enhanced premium tax credits, introduced under the federal American Rescue Plan Act and extended through the Inflation Reduction Act, has led to a significant increase in enrollment between 2021 and 2024.
More details about the changes for plan year 2026 and updates are available at oid. ok.gov/open26.