If you buy your health insurance through the ACA marketplace, you've likely already felt the sting of rising premiums. Unfortunately, 2027 is shaping up to bring another round of significant increases — and this time, the numbers are even harder to ignore. Here's what's happening, why it's happening, and what you can do about it before open enrollment arrives.
Key Takeaway: Every carrier selling ACA marketplace plans in Kansas has requested a premium increase for 2027. Requested increases range from 10% to nearly 35%, based on preliminary filings with state insurance regulators.
How Much Are Premiums Going Up?
According to preliminary rate filings submitted to Kansas insurance regulators, here's what each carrier is requesting for 2027:
Carrier (Kansas)
Requested Increase
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City
+15.4%
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
+16.0%
Ambetter (Celtic Insurance)
+16.7%
Oscar Health
+20.0%
UnitedHealthcare
+34.8%
These are requested rates, not final approved rates. Kansas regulators are currently reviewing the filings, and final 2027 premiums will be announced before open enrollment begins.
Why Are Rates Going Up?
Several factors are driving the increases, and carriers have been upfront about them in their regulatory filings:
Rising medical costs. Hospitals, physicians, and drug manufacturers are all charging more. Add to that the growing use of expensive treatments and surgeries, and insurers are paying out more per member than ever before.
Expiration of enhanced federal subsidies. At the end of 2025, enhanced premium tax credits expired. Many middle-income Kansans who could no longer afford coverage dropped their plans — leaving behind a smaller, sicker risk pool that costs more to insure.
Enrollment decline. Kansas ACA enrollment dropped about 20%, falling from roughly 179,920 enrollees to 143,880. Fewer healthy people in the pool means premiums go up for those who remain.
UnitedHealthcare's situation. UHC reported that nearly 96 cents of every premium dollar collected from Kansas marketplace plans went toward paying medical claims in 2025 — well above the ACA's required threshold. That level of loss ratio leaves little room but to request a steep increase.
Small Businesses Are Feeling It Too
It's not just individual marketplace plans. Businesses with 2 to 50 employees — the small-group market — are also facing projected premium increases of 9% to 19% for 2027. If you're an employer offering health benefits to your team, now is the time to start evaluating your options well ahead of your renewal date.
What You Should Do Before Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for 2027 coverage will be here before you know it. Here's how to prepare:
✓Don't assume your current plan is still the best fit. Carrier rate changes vary widely — your plan may have jumped more than others on the market.
✓Review your subsidy eligibility. If your income has changed, you may qualify for more or less financial assistance than last year.
✓Consider all available options. For some individuals and families, supplemental products or alternative coverage strategies may help offset rising costs.
✓Talk to a local broker. Working with someone who knows the Kansas market — and knows you — makes a real difference when navigating these decisions.
Let's Talk Before Rates Change
I work with individuals, families, and employers across north-central Kansas to find the right coverage at the best possible value. Whether you're on a marketplace plan, a group plan, or exploring your options for the first time — I'm here to help you navigate what's coming.
