Open Enrollment is Underway, and Premiums Are Up 4%. You Can Pay Much Less
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace premiums are rising again. Benchmark silver plans are increasing by 4% on average. Benchmark silver plans are the second-lowest-cost silver plan, and they’re used for subsidy calculations. Lowest-cost bronze premiums will go up by 5% on average, according to research from KFF.
But federal subsidies mean most enrollees won’t feel the increases, with four out of five paying $10 a month or less.
Premiums Are Up, MOOP Limits Are Down
An increase in rates isn’t unusual. “Historically, rates increase yearly as health care costs go up because rates are generally based on two years of an insurer’s claim history,” said Joshua Brooker, an agent and member of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP).
The table below shows how premiums have changed over the years for an average silver benchmark plan.
Average Obamacare Premiums Over the Past 5 Years
Demographic 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
21-Year-Old $359 $348 $362 $376 $388
40-Year-Old $460 $447 $464 $482 $497
Family of Four $1,484 $1,438 $1,504 $1,557 $1,606
But while premiums are rising, the amount you must spend before the insurer covers the year’s eligible expenses is down. That amount is known as your maximum out-of-pocket spending (MOOP). Out-of-pocket spending includes deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for covered care, but not premiums.
In 2025, the maximum MOOP allowed by the government is falling to $9,200 for individual coverage per year and $18,400 for family coverage. This is a 2.6% decrease from 2024 when the max MOOP was $9,450 for individual coverage and $18,900 for family coverage.
Many plans cap your out-of-pocket expenses at a rate lower than the highest amount allowed. The average MOOP for 2025 ACA plans is $8,277, down from $8,504 in 2024.
Average Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limits for 2024 and 2025
Avg. MOOP 2024 Avg. MOOP 2025
Individual $8,504.03 $8,277.25
Family $17,008.50 $16,555.60
Family (per person) $8,508.70 $8,282.61
But according to KFF, the out-of-pocket maximum has risen significantly in the last 10 years—faster than wages. In 2014, the out-of-pocket max was $6,350 for an individual ACA plan and $12,700 for family coverage.
“At some point, you can’t have an OOP of $20,000 for a family,” Brooker said. That would be enough to lead to serious financial issues.
Why Are Premiums Higher in 2025?
According to a KFF review, insurance companies’ primary reasons for cost increases are:
Rising health care costs: The report states that medical inflation exceeds the growth of non-medical prices despite a slowdown in recent years.
Hospital market consolidation and workforce shortages: With reduced competition due to consolidation, and supply-and-demand workforce cost increases, insurers are paying more.
Prescription drug costs: Expensive weight loss drugs are covered by plans for specific conditions, and these drugs and similar pricey medications are increasing overall costs.
How to Save Money on Obamacare Health Insurance
Here are some quick strategies for limiting how much you pay for health insurance in 2025.
Compare Plans and Prices
Among Marketplace insurance providers, premium changes range from a decrease of 14% in Louisiana for the lowest-cost gold premium, to a 34% spike in Vermont for the lowest-cost silver premium. Earlier this year, 85 insurers requested premium increases greater than 10%.
This means it’s a critical year to shop for plans. After all, a higher percentage increase for a less expensive plan won’t hurt your pocketbook like an increase for a higher-priced one might.
When shopping, look at the plans available in different metal levels. Bronze and silver plans usually offer lower premiums but require higher deductibles and copays. Higher-premium gold and platinum plans require you to pay more monthly but spend less on out-of-pocket expenses (such as deductibles and copays) over a coverage year.
Average Premiums by Metal Tier
Avg. Premium Before Subsidies 2024 to 2025 Increase
Lowest-Cost Bronze $381 4.8%
Lowest-Cost Silver $486 3.9%
Lowest-Cost Gold $507 4.0%
Think About an HDHP + HSA
Premiums for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are typically lower than those for other plan types. HDHPs may be a good choice for healthier people who don’t use much medical care.
With an HDHP, you can contribute up to $4,300 (individual) and $8,550 (family) in 2025 to a health savings account (HSA) to use for medical expenses. This money can be invested and grow tax-free. When filing your taxes, you can subtract your HSA contributions from your income to lower the income you owe taxes on.
Keep in mind that the primary feature of an HDHP is its high deductible. For 2025, the annual deductible must be at least $1,650 for individual coverage and $3,300 for a family. You may pay more out of pocket upfront before your insurance starts to pay under these plans.
But those deductibles are included in out-of-pocket expenses (along with copays and coinsurance). For 2025, federal limits on annual out-of-pocket caps are lower for Marketplace HDHPs than for traditional Marketplace plans. HDHP MOOP costs can’t exceed $8,300 for individual coverage or $16,600 for family coverage. Remember, other plans’ maximums can be up to $9,200 for individual coverage and $18,400 for family coverage.
High-Deductible Health Plan Limits for 2025
Individual Coverage Family Coverage
Minimum Deductible $1,650 $3,300
Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit Allowed $8,300 $16,600
Maximum HSA Contribution $4,300 $8,550
Closely Inspect Plan Networks
Research plans for convenience to nearby in-network doctors, clinics, and facilities. By searching for someone who offers convenient locations, you’ll avoid wasting time and money. You’ll also be more likely to get the preventive and everyday care you need to stay healthy and avoid more expensive problems later on.
When you use the Marketplace to search for plans, some of the information provided may be outdated, including coverage networks, said Brooker.
When researching whether your providers or medications are covered, you may need to call insurers for the most up-to-date information—or ask your insurance agent to do it. “Healthcare.gov relies on data files given to them by insurance companies, which are notoriously bad and inaccurate,” Brooker said.
