Reliable rumors are warning that health insurance premiums will be increasing significantly in 2026. I have seen this happen before, and suddenly I am getting calls from people wanting Medi-Cal because they heard from an unreliable source that Medi-Cal was free if you “hide” your assets. This is NOT TRUE. Medi-Cal has a share of cost. Under Obamacare (also known as the Affordable Care Act), a part of the share of cost—also known as the premium—was subsidized. The reliable rumors are that those subsidies will end December 31, 2025. California may continue to subsidize premiums, but with budget woes, they may not be able to provide as much money as they would like to help people pay for health insurance. What this means is that for those with income above the poverty level, the cost of Medi-Cal could be more than private insurance.
If your health insurance premium goes up, don’t listen to the rumors. Get accurate information. Covered California, California Department of Health Care Services, and the Department of Insurance all have reliable information.
