DCCA NEWS RELEASE – GET COVERED: 2026 HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE OPEN ENROLLMENT

Posted on Nov 24, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

 

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR    

KE KIAʻĀINA

 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

    

NADINE Y. ANDO

DIRECTOR    

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE    

     

SCOTT K. SAIKI

INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

 

GET COVERED: 2026 HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE OPEN ENROLLMENT

Consumers Encouraged to Review Coverage Options Amid Anticipated Changes

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 24, 2025

HONOLULU — Open enrollment for the Individual Marketplace is underway. The Hawaiʻi Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division advises eligible residents to visit HealthCare.gov to review and compare Health Insurance Marketplace plans.

Running through January 15, 2026, consumers can now shop for and compare the 34 medical and stand-alone dental plans available on www.HealthCare.gov. Health Insurance Marketplace plans cover a comprehensive range of services such as the 10 essential health benefits, which include outpatient care, hospitalization, emergency services and prescription drugs. Consumers can see plan options and calculate their estimated financial assistance at www.HealthCare.gov/see-plans/.

“We encourage consumers to comparison shop now and understand their options,” said Insurance Commissioner Scott K. Saiki. “When enrolling in a Marketplace plan, they should choose the plan that best fits their individual needs and revisit their options if the enhanced premium subsidies are extended. 

The average medical rate increase for Plan Year 2026 is 11.6% in Hawaiʻi, with key drivers for the increase being rising medical and pharmacy costs and growing utilization, especially in high-cost therapies such as specialty drugs. If enhanced premium subsidies are allowed to expire, the individual marketplace risk pool is expected to decrease, since younger and healthier consumers are more likely to lapse coverage.

To get a full year of coverage that starts January 1, 2026, consumers must enroll by December 15, 2025. People who already have a Health Insurance Marketplace individual plan should log in during open enrollment to stay informed on plan changes. For more information on health insurance, please contact the Insurance Division at 808-586-2790.

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The Hawaiʻi Insurance Division regulates the Hawaiʻi insurance industry, issues licenses; examines the fiscal condition of Hawaiʻi-based companies; reviews rate and policy filings; and investigates insurancerelated complaints.

Media Contact:

William Nhieu
Communications Officer
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: 808-586-7582