ACA/Insurance changes on the horizon in 2025 and beyond: What it means for the insured, uninsured, and how CHM can help

Health insurance users, be prepared for what lies ahead. For uninsured patients, or those seeking a health insurance alternative, consider your options with CHM. 

Some of the largest insurance companies are starting to back out of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in certain markets. That means those enrollees, including any on a subsidized program through the federal health exchange, may have to look elsewhere once open enrollment begins in November of 2025. 

COVID-era subsidy enhancements could expire at the beginning of 2026. Leaving many ACA users with steeper monthly costs. The 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act also introduced federal work requirements for Medicaid recipients starting in 2027. 

In this article, we’ll dive into why this is happening, who it affects, and how CHM remains a viable alternative to insurance. 

ACA 2026 coming changes

With the cost of care surging, major health insurance companies will likely withdraw from the ACA (also known as Obamacare) to avoid revenue losses. These exits will impact millions of insurance users nationwide.  

Additionally, enhanced ACA subsidies enacted under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are set to expire on January 1, 2026. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) reports that ARPA and IRA reduced monthly payments by 44% for many ACA users at the height of the pandemic. Without further legislative action by Congress, these boosted subsidies will fall back to pre-COVID prices—causing a spike in healthcare costs for millions of Americans. Without those subsidies, ACA plan premiums are predicted to increase in 2026 by an average of 75%.  

Middle-income users on an ACA program are at the greatest risk. According to kff.org, the IRA allowed eligibility for people making 400% above the poverty level to receive subsidies. Without these enhancements, they risk losing health insurance altogether. Even if they’re below 400%, a slight increase in pay renders them ineligible for any subsidies. This “subsidy cliff” would make traditional health insurance unaffordable for many families and singles—pricing them out of the market entirely.  

Despite unrest within the marketplace, Christian Healthcare Ministries (CHM) remains stable. As a health insurance alternative, CHM holds a federal exemption from the U.S. Patient Protection and ACA. This prevents economic volatility for our members compared to traditional options.

Many individuals with health insurance will lose their ACA plans 

Those who purchased their health insurance program through the ACA may need to start looking for a replacement soon. According to insurasales.com, some of the states affected by possible departures and budget cuts mentioned earlier include:

Without a low-cost replacement, many risk losing their health insurance altogether—paying more out of pocket than anticipated. This sudden change has many looking outside of traditional health insurance for support.  

Why Americans are seeking alternatives to Obamacare 

With subsidies shrinking, affordable care is becoming an exception to the rule.  

A major downside of Obamacare is the “coverage gap”, which affects around 1.5 million citizens. This happens in states that haven’t adopted the ACA’s 2014 Medicaid expansion. Residents of any “non-expansion” states could make too much or too little to qualify for either Medicaid or ACA subsidies—leaving them without any financial assistance.  

From KFF, below are all of the 10 non-expansion states: 

Compounding on the cost issue, health insurance companies are also notoriously difficult to work with. Using insurance means limited provider networks, restricting you from finding the best doctor or hospital for your needs. If you end up choosing an out-of-network provider, you’re penalized with fees.

This leaves countless insurance users exasperated and confused. But it doesn’t mean you have to keep paying into a broken system.

New Requirements for Medicaid

Starting January 1, 2027, many who receive Medicaid coverage will need to spend at least 80 hours a month working, volunteering, or be enrolled in school as “community engagement”. To maintain coverage, Medicaid recipients will have to verify each month that they have met this hourly requirement, which applies to all “able-bodied” Medicaid recipients ages 19–64, with certain exemptions:

• Having a child aged 13 or younger, or a child who is disabled.
• Being a caregiver for a disabled relative.
• Having a disability or health condition that prevents fulfilling the requirement.

Christian Healthcare Ministries: a non-insurance solution that works 

CHM’s Guidelines are also available before you join, allowing you to see which expenses are eligible for sharing. With CHM, there are no networks or in-state restrictions to deal with. Members have the flexibility to choose the certified providers they want without worrying about out-of-network fees. A far cry from traditional health insurance!

CHM gives you options for affordable care

Steep rates loom over the marketplace, but CHM offers a unique opportunity. Opting out of health insurance allows Christians to invest in the benefits of our cost-sharing ministry. There are lots of people who CHM can help, including:

• Individuals and families threatened by the subsidy cliff
• Non-expansion state residents in the coverage gap
• Older Millennials and Gen-Xers with growing medical needs
• Self-employed and small business owners
• Retirees and seniors

If you’re considering us as a faith-based health insurance alternative, our calculator tool shows what your monthly CHM membership contribution would cost.

CHM programs start at $115 a month, which is a third of the average lowest-cost bronze marketplace program. You can join at any time with no enrollment periods, even before November 1st!

Final thoughts: CHM vs. Insurance

As younger generations enter the health insurance market, there is a growing dissatisfaction with the system and a feeling of distrust toward insurance companies, according to mynewmarkets.com. Bureaucracy and a lack of transparency are inherent in the insurance industry; Gen Z, Millennials, and others want simpler and more approachable experiences to manage their healthcare costs.

For Christians with ACA health insurance, CHM may be a more transparent, flexible, and stable alternative for many reasons. Members of CHM aren’t affected by annual marketplace ups and downs. Members can go straight to their providers and pay for what they need with more discounts available. CHM also offers lower monthly costs than the competition—regardless of your income level.

With CHM, you get clear, simple, reliable, and affordable support for your eligible medical expenses. There’s no need to endure the annual cost increases and red tape of health insurance when you can help bless and be blessed by other believers. Stand up to insurance restrictions and join CHM today!

Disclaimer: This article is actively being monitored for changes and will be updated as new information becomes available. Please check back for updates.

Resources/References

• https://www.kff.org/status-of-state-medicaid-expansion-decisions/ KFF+15KFF+15advancingstates.org+15
• https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/poll-finding/kff-health-tracking-poll-aca-enhanced-subsidies/
• https://insurasales.com/news-story/32246/cvs-healths-aetna-to-exit-aca-marketplaces-in-17-states-by-2026
• https://www.mynewmarkets.com/articles/184323/whymillennialsandgenzjustarentlovinginsurancehoworganizationscanwinthenextgenerationsofinsuranceconsumers