If you've opened your health insurance renewal notice recently and felt your stomach drop, you're not alone. Premiums are up— way up. And if you or your employees have been relying on Affordable Care Act marketplace plans with subsidies, the sticker shock is real. Some people are seeing their monthly premiums double or even triple compared to what they paid in 2025.

Here's what happened, why it matters to your business, and most importantly, what you can do about it.

Here’s your easy-to-digest, pocket-sized guide to understanding what open enrollment means, key dates to remember, and how to make the most of your Health Insurance Marketplace options for 2026 coverage.