ACA subsidies are ending: what self-employed workers need to know for 2026
If your ACA Marketplace premium jumped this year, you're not imagining it. The enhanced premium subsidies introduced during the pandemic expired on December 31, 2025. Income-based subsidies still exist, but the larger enhanced amounts are gone, and self-employed people are feeling it most — because they pay the full premium themselves.
What actually changed
- The enhanced premium tax credits that lowered Marketplace costs ended after the 2025 plan year.
- Many 1099 and self-employed enrollees saw higher net premiums for 2026 as a result.
- Standard, income-based subsidies remain, but for a lot of independent workers, the math is less favorable than it was.
What it means for you
If you relied on enhanced subsidies, your effective cost may be meaningfully higher in 2026. This is the moment to re-run your numbers rather than auto-renewing, and to compare your post-subsidy Marketplace price against alternatives built for independent workers.
Your options now
- Re-shop the Marketplace. Check your real 2026 price after any remaining subsidy — don't assume last year's number.
- Compare an independent-worker plan like Molli. Molli offers transparent, flat-rate pricing (save up to 30% vs. ACA marketplace plans¹), nationwide PPO network access, and $0 virtual primary care and generic prescriptions via Vitable, without the subsidy guessing game.
- Check a spouse's plan, if one is available to you.
What to do before the deadline
Open enrollment for 2027 Marketplace coverage runs November 1 to December 15, 2026 — shorter than past years. Whatever you choose, decide within that window unless you have a qualifying life event. (Molli itself enrolls year-round.)
FAQ
- Did ACA subsidies go away completely?
- No, the enhanced pandemic-era subsidies expired at the end of 2025. Regular income-based subsidies still exist, but many people's net premiums rose in 2026.
- What can self-employed people do about higher 2026 premiums?
- Re-shop the Marketplace at your real post-subsidy price, compare an independent-worker plan like Molli, and check a spouse's plan if available, then decide during open enrollment (Nov 1 to Dec 15, 2026).
¹ Savings vary by location, age, and plan selection. Based on comparison of Molli Pro plan rates to ACA Silver benchmark premiums.