Health Insurance at a Turning Point: Price Increases, Social Protection, and Digital Tools

New hikes to health insurance premiums

7 Jan 2026

Health insurance premiums in 2026 are expected to increase by 7–10%, similar to last year, driven by rising compensation claims and higher costs in 2025. In 2025, government intervention kept increases in lifelong hospital programs to 7%, down from the initially proposed 14%. Premium hikes will vary by policy type and age group, and insurers must follow new transparency and notification rules set by a recent Council of State verdict. Overall, policyholders should anticipate moderate increases across most health insurance plans next year.

Full health insurance coverage reaches all poor, elderly citizens from 2026

7 Jan 2026

From January 1, 2026, Vietnam will provide full health insurance coverage to seniors aged 75 and above and near-poor households, raising reimbursement rates from 95% to 100% for covered medical expenses. The Ministry of Health has instructed social security offices and medical facilities nationwide to update benefit codes and ensure seamless access for newly eligible groups. This expansion includes several vulnerable populations, such as war veterans, children under six, ethnic minorities, and recipients of social assistance. The policy aims to improve healthcare access, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and strengthen the country’s social welfare system.

CWRU undergraduates to present their health insurance decision tool at CES 2026

7 Jan 2026

Two Case Western Reserve University undergraduates, Sunveer Chugh and Dev Gupta, have created InsuraBridge, a digital tool that helps consumers choose personalized health insurance plans by analyzing cost, preferred doctors, and expected care needs. The platform connects to Welcome to the Health Insurance Marketplace®  via API, providing tailored plan recommendations and simplifying a process that is often confusing and overwhelming. The startup will showcase its prototype at CES 2026, highlighting its potential to improve access, transparency, and decision-making for millions of users. Next, InsuraBridge plans to streamline Medicaid applications by consolidating patient information and automating forms, cutting processing time from hours to minutes.

Policy Changes Bring Renewed Focus on High-Deductible Health Plans

5 Jan 2026

The expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and new policy changes for 2026 may increase out-of-pocket costs for Marketplace enrollees, prompting some to choose bronze or catastrophic plans with lower premiums but higher deductibles. Recent updates expand hardship exemptions for catastrophic plans and make all bronze and catastrophic plans HSA-eligible, giving consumers new tax-advantaged savings options. Catastrophic plans remain limited to younger or hardship-eligible individuals, while bronze plans are available more broadly, and premiums for both are rising compared to 2025. These changes, combined with complex eligibility rules and limited consumer understanding, could influence enrollment patterns and the overall risk pool, potentially affecting future premiums. Consumers must weigh lower monthly premiums against higher deductibles and potential out-of-pocket costs when selecting a plan.