1 in 5 Pennie Enrollees Dropped Coverage during 2026

February 10, 2026

The loss of enhanced premium tax credits led over 80,000 Pennsylvanians to drop coverage on the Pennie health insurance marketplace, state officials announced this week.

About 18 percent of enrollees dropped coverage during 2026 open enrollment, with older and rural Pennsylvanians, and those above the “income cliff” for subsidies reporting higher levels of terminations.

“At the start of this open enrollment before the cost increases took effect, Pennie was pacing ahead in enrollment numbers compared to last year,” state officials said in a statement. “Once open enrollment began and the reality of the higher premium increases set in, Pennie saw steady and high volumes of disenrollments.”

Here’s what you need to know:

• The big picture:  About 486,000 people enrolled in marketplace plans during open enrollment, which ended January 31. That’s down from 497,000 enrollees during 2025 open enrollment.
• Enrollment trends:  About 85,000 Pennsylvanians did not renew coverage during this open enrollment period.
  • New enrollment was about 12 percent lower than last year. About 79,500 Pennsylvanians enrolled in Pennie coverage for the first time,
• Consumer choices:  Without premium subsidies, 33,000 more Pennsylvanians selected bronze plans this year (+30%). These plans have lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs.
  • Without enhanced premium tax credits, consumers faced an average price increase of 102 percent to remain on the same coverage for 2026.
• Important caveat:  New enrollments partially offset terminations. Those receiving tax credits have three months to pay outstanding premiums, meaning a “complete picture of the premium increase impact until this spring,” officials said.
• National outlook:  CMS reported 22.9 million Americans selected plans during 2026 open enrollment, down from 24.2 million during the 2025 plan selection period.
  • CMS this week also proposed changes that would alter plan requirements for insurers offering coverage through individual marketplaces.

Additional details about 2026 open enrollment are available online.