Maine ACA Enrollment Drops Amidst Premium Increases

Maine’s Affordable Care Act enrollment for 2026 is down, and thousands have dropped thier plans. Many cite unaffordable higher monthly premiums as the reason.

As of December 15th, enrollment has decreased by 7% compared to the same period last year. Approximately 5,500 enrollees have canceled their plans for the upcoming year, according to a statement released by the Maine Department of Health and Human services on Friday. This decline follows Congress’s failure to extend certain tax credits set to expire at year-end.

Premiums for ACA insurance are significantly higher for most people signing up for 2026 coverage – averaging a 77% increase in Maine, according to state data. These increases occurred when the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits expired. first approved in 2021, these credits were extended through the end of 2025, helping to lower premium costs for enrollees.

Mitchell Stein, a Maine-based independent health policy analyst, said in an interview that the expiration of the credits was expected to have this effect. “We knew this was coming,” Stein explained. “The tax credits were a temporary measure to make coverage more affordable during the pandemic,and their expiration was always going to lead to premium increases and potentially lower enrollment.”

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services is working to mitigate the impact of the premium increases. They are encouraging people to explore all available options, including cost-sharing reductions and other financial assistance programs. “We understand that these premium increases are a concern for many Mainers,” said a department spokesperson. “We are committed to helping people find affordable coverage options.”

Open enrollment for ACA plans continues through January 15, 2026. Mainers can find more information and enroll in a plan at Healthcare.gov.