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Pennie Enrollment Falls as 85,000 Drop Coverage After Subsidies Expire

The state exchange blames the lapse of enhanced federal subsidies for steep premium shocks that are likely to trigger further cancellations over the next few months.

Overview

  • Total enrollment for 2026 stands at about 486,000, down from 496,661 last year, as roughly one in five prior customers did not renew.
  • Pennie reports an average 102% increase to keep the same plan for 2026, with some consumers saying their premiums tripled.
  • About 33,000 additional enrollees shifted into lower-cost bronze plans, a roughly 30% rise that brings much higher deductibles and copays.
  • Drop-offs are concentrated among older adults, people just above Medicaid eligibility, and residents of rural counties, according to Pennie.
  • Officials expect additional attrition this spring because coverage ends about three months after nonpayment, and policy prospects to restore enhanced aid remain uncertain.