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Updated Jan. 30, 2026

Federal Changes to Your Health Insurance

Some federal rule changes may affect how much you pay and what steps you need to take to enroll. This page explains what we know right now and what you can do to stay covered. Covered California will update this page as things change.

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Californians deserve health care that works.

We don’t answer to shareholders — we answer to you. In the coming years, we promise to keep fighting to make your health insurance affordable and easy to access.

What’s Changing

The federal government has acted to make these changes to health insurance starting this year and beyond. The year they are set to take effect and their possible impacts are described below.
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Monthly Premium Increases

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2026

Enhanced Premium Tax Credits ended on Dec. 31, 2025. The federal government may choose to bring them back. Without them, many people will receive less help than before, leading to higher monthly premiums.

Financial help is still available through Covered California. Depending on your income and plan, you may pay as little as $10 per month.

What You Can Do Now

You can still apply for 2026 until Jan. 31. Use the Shop and Compare Tool to see your plan options and costs.

You may be able to lower your monthly premium by:

  • Switching to a different metal tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum).

  • Choosing a plan from a different health insurance company.

  • Getting help from an expert. Covered California certified enrollers offer free and confidential help in multiple languages.

Don’t wait to apply. This extra federal financial help could come back, but there is no guarantee.

What Happens Next

If the federal government brings back the Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, Covered California will:

  • Automatically apply any new savings to your health plan.

  • Notify you of the change.

  • Give you extra time to change your plan, if you need it.

If federal savings are not extended, your plan and costs will stay the same as what you chose when you enrolled for 2026.

When You Can Enroll

Effective Date: Nov. 1, 2026

  • Open enrollment will be shorter. You can sign up between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 for health insurance starting Jan. 1, 2027.

  • Special enrollment because of a life change (like moving, getting married, or losing your other insurance) is unchanged.

Medi-Cal Eligibility and Benefits

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2026
The federal government has made changes that will affect eligibility and benefits; most Medi-Cal members won’t see any changes.
Visit Medi-Cal’s website for more information.

Immigrant Eligibility

Effective Date: 2027
Only certain immigrant groups, like lawful permanent residents (green card holders), will be eligible for financial help to help pay for their insurance.

More Information for Immigrants

Reporting Your Income

Effective Date: 2027

  • Your financial help is based on the income you report on your application. If that information isn’t accurate, you may receive more help than you qualify for.

  • Beginning with the 2026 tax year (filed in 2027), people who receive too much financial help may need to pay back the full amount they owe. It will no longer be capped based on income. 

Effective Date: 2028

  • You’ll need to prove that you qualify for financial help before receiving it. Financial help will not be applied while your information is being reviewed or updated.

  • If you don’t confirm or update your information, you won’t be automatically re-enrolled with financial help for the next plan year.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2026

  • Bronze and minimum coverage (catastrophic) plans through Covered California now count as high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) that let you contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA).

Gender-Affirming Care

Effective Date: 2025
While federal rules around gender-affirming care under the Affordable Care Act have changed, California law requires all Covered California plans to continue covering these services.
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What You Can Do

Call Us With Questions
Our representatives can help you go through your options and understand what these federal changes mean for you.
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Explore Other Plans
You may be able to save by switching to health and dental plans that are more affordable — but still offer the same great benefits.
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Additional Resources

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Health Care Changes in the 2025 Budget Bill
A side-by-side comparison of how the House and Senate 2025 budget reconciliation law affect health care, compared to each other and to prior law.
New Law Brings Health Care Changes
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) makes major changes to U.S. health care. Learn about five key changes that affect Medicaid enrollees, Marketplace consumers, and low-income immigrants.