Kansas City residents who buy health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace can expect to pay significantly more for monthly premiums next year. According to preliminary rate filings submitted to state insurance regulators in Missouri and Kansas, every insurance company selling individual plans in the region wants to raise prices in 2027.

Premium Increase Requests

Across both states, average premium increase requests range from 10% to 35% more than 2026 rates. This follows a similar trend last year, when almost every carrier offering plans in the Kansas City area requested an increase. The companies argue that health services and medications continue to cost more, while the volume of patient claims is rising.

The largest premium increase request came from UnitedHealthcare in Kansas’ individual marketplace. The company, which reported profits of $12.8 billion last year, has asked the state for rates to jump between 29.68% and 36.48%. UnitedHealthcare pointed to rising costs in U.S. healthcare spending and a growing trend of healthier patients dropping out of the marketplace, leaving a more expensive patient pool behind.

Impact on Consumers

Lacey Kennett of Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, a nonprofit that advocates for affordable healthcare, said the premium increases represent one on a long list of healthcare expenses people are having trouble affording. Kennett noted that people are putting off routine doctors’ visits and skipping medications to save money.

Missouri and Kansas regulators are reviewing the ACA rate request filings to determine if the increases are justified and to ensure the plans comply with state and federal law. The deadline for public comments in Missouri is August 31, and final rates are expected by October 31.

Original reporting: The Beacon (Kansas City) — read the source article.