The Pennsylvania Insurance Department announced that the 2026 rate changes requested by insurance companies currently operating in Pennsylvania’s individual and small group markets are now available online. On average, all Pennsylvania health insurers are requesting premium increases in plan year 2026: 19% increase to premiums in the individual market (for people who buy their own insurance), and a 13% increase to premiums in the small group market (for small businesses).
“This year, even more than previous years, Pennsylvanians should consider shopping around to find the best plans to meet their individual needs, at a price that makes sense for their current financial situation,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “Pennsylvania is fortunate to have a competitive health insurance marketplace with many plan options to choose from, and Pennie makes it easy to shop for plans that cover specific providers and medications. So, despite the increase in cost, PID is confident consumers will have numerous affordable insurance plans to choose from during Open Enrollment.”
The requested rate increases for Plan Year 2026 as filed by insurers are results of:
- The rising cost of health care;
- The higher use of benefits, including for more expensive outpatient services and medication; and
- The end of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (Tax Credits), which are set to expire on December 31, 2025, unless Congress acts to extend them.
Insurance companies offering individual and small group health insurance plans are required to file proposed rates with PID for review and approval before plans can be sold to consumers, serving as an important consumer protection. The proposed rates reflect the expected claims and operational costs for the upcoming year. PID reviews rates to ensure that the rates are not excessive or inadequate – and are not unfairly discriminatory. The premiums consumers are charged will be based on the rates that are approved after review.
Public comment on rate requests and filings will be accepted through September 2, 2025, and can be emailed to ra-in-comment@pa.gov.
Rate filings for 2026 health insurance plans were submitted to PID on May 15, 2025. Proposed rate changes vary by plan and region and are subject to change as the department conducts its review process. Final approved rates will be made public in the fall.
