Missourians urged to review coverage options carefully, plan ahead for the coming year
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) announced the release of final health insurance rates for Missouri’s 2026 individual and small group markets.
“First and foremost, Missourians need to know our state continues to have a competitive market, which means they will continue to have meaningful choices when it comes to their health coverage,” DCI Director Angela Nelson said. “Although rates are projected to increase next year, we want Missourians to know we are here to help them make informed decisions and find a plan that best fits their needs and budgets.”
For 2026, every county in Missouri will continue to have at least two carriers offering individual health insurance plans, with most counties offering four or more carriers and a variety of plan options from each. Carriers in the small group market (businesses with two to 50 employees) also continue to offer a range of choices for employers and their employees.
Consumers can find more information about the rate review process and review rate information on DCI’s website at insurance.mo.gov/health-insurance. To see which carriers are offering coverage in the individual market in your county, visit DCI’s online health insurance market map.
The department urges Missourians to take a close look at their coverage for 2026 as rates increase and networks change for many plans. Enhanced advance premium tax credits, which have helped lower monthly premiums for many consumers, are currently set to expire at the end of 2025, making it more important than ever for individuals and families to plan for the year ahead.
“There is still a tremendous amount of uncertainty about whether Congress will extend the premium tax subsidies into 2026, and we are keeping a close eye on any developments at the federal level,” Director Nelson said. “The most important thing we want Missourians to know is this – do not give up on getting coverage.”
“Health insurance is too important,” Director Nelson added. “It not only ensures you can get medical treatment when you need it most but also protects you financially in the event of a major health crisis. As Missourians shop for plans this year, it’s more important than ever that they take time to review and compare their options very carefully.”
Annual open enrollment for health insurance coverage in 2026 begins Nov. 1, 2025. For coverage to start Jan. 1, 2026, consumers must enroll or change their plan by Dec. 15, 2025. Consumers who miss the Dec. 15 deadline have until Jan. 15, 2026, to enroll, but coverage will not begin until Feb. 1, 2026.
This year has been a challenging one for the health insurance industry nationwide, with new federal rules and ongoing litigation creating uncertainty for insurers and consumers alike. Despite these challenges, DCI remains committed to supporting Missourians and providing clear, accessible information and resources to help them make informed choices.
“Even in a complex and changing market, there are still many good options available and several resources to help consumers through the process,” Director Nelson said. “A little extra time reviewing your options can lead to better coverage and more savings in the long run.”
In anticipation of premium increases, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced expanded eligibility for catastrophic health plans beginning in 2026 to help consumers access coverage. Consumers who are newly ineligible for advanced premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions due to their projected annual income may be eligible for a hardship exemption and can enroll in catastrophic coverage. More information about this change can be found on the CMS website.
DCI’s Health Insurance Shopping Tool is a valuable resource to help consumers compare plans and understand key terms and considerations.
The department offers the following tips when shopping for health insurance:
- Consider more than just cost when choosing a health plan. It’s important to understand what services the policy will cover, the costs you’ll be responsible for, and your current and potential future health care needs, from anticipated surgeries to prescription drugs.
- Review and compare the costs associated with each health plan, including all out-of-pocket costs – premiums, deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance amounts.
- Talk to your health care providers about their plan network participation. A health carrier’s provider directory provides a snapshot in time of the plan’s network. Talking directly to your health care providers allows you to stay up to date about your provider’s current and future participation in a particular plan’s network.
- Be wary of advertisements that tout low-cost or no-cost health coverage, and ask questions about the type of policy before you buy. If it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
- For more specific information about policies and coverage, talk with a trusted insurance agent or other assister (like a navigator or a certified application counselor).
- Free, unbiased assistance and education, including application assistance and plan comparisons, is available to all consumers seeking health coverage. The Cover Missouri Coalition, a project of the Missouri Foundation for Health, is a network of partners – including certified application counselors and navigators – who assist individuals seeking coverage through the Marketplace and Medicaid. CMS has awarded navigator grants to the Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging (MA4) and the Missouri Primary Care Association for 2026.
- You can find free assistance in your area by visiting FindLocalHelp.CoverMissouri.org or calling 1-800-466-3213.
- It’s always good practice to verify that the producer or assister you’re working with is licensed in Missouri. You can do that by calling 800-726-7390 or visiting insurance.mo.gov/consumers/.
- Use good privacy protection practices and be vigilant about protecting your personal information:
- Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
- Safeguard your devices by ensuring their operating systems are up to date.
- Be cautious of unsolicited emails, phone calls or text messages requesting your personal or financial information.
- When asked for personal information, whether online or over the phone, think twice about why the information is needed, who will use it, and how it will be used. If you have questions, ask them!
For any insurance questions, Missourians can call DCI’s Insurance Consumer Hotline at 800-726-7390 or visit insurance.mo.gov/consumers/.
DCI is charged with protecting Missouri consumers through oversight of the insurance industry, banks, credit unions, utilities and various professional licensees operating in the state.
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