ACA sticker shock brings cheaper health insurance options before Jan. 15.

With the Jan. 15 enrollment deadline near, many ACA enrollees face large premium increases — KFF reports average 26% hikes — and some are weighing off‑market plans, short‑term policies, cost‑sharing ministries or indemnity plans that generally cost less but offer fewer consumer protections.

Some people looking for 2026 coverage are switching away from ACA marketplace plans because of steep premium increases and the end of enhanced tax credits. A Colorado enrollee, Rebecca Rush, said her 2025 Bronze plan premium rose from $760 to $1,001 a month and that she moved to an off‑market plan with lower premiums but narrower benefits. Research from KFF finds insurers raised 2026 marketplace premiums by an average of 26%, and shoppers who had benefited from temporary enhanced subsidies may now see monthly payments rise substantially. Key points: - Open enrollment for 2026 marketplace plans ends Jan. 15, 2026. - KFF reports average 26% premium increases for ACA marketplace plans in 2026 and notes the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits has increased costs for many enrollees. - Alternatives cited include off‑market individual plans, short‑term health plans, health cost‑sharing ministries, and indemnity or supplemental plans, which are generally not eligible for ACA subsidies. - These alternatives often come with trade‑offs: they may exclude pre‑existing conditions, limit covered services, deny or cap claims in some cases, and are not subject to the same federal marketplace protections. Summary: Many enrollees facing higher marketplace premiums are exploring lower‑cost alternatives, but those options typically reduce the scope of coverage and consumer protections. The immediate procedural milestone is the Jan. 15 open‑enrollment deadline for 2026 marketplace plans; further consequences for individual enrollees will depend on their choices and plan terms.