These days, whenever insurance comes up in conversation, someone always says, "I'm thinking about dropping my Marketplace insurance because the premiums are too high."

However, when you actually look at the data, the story changes a bit. Among Illinois enrollees, there are surprisingly many people whose monthly premiums are $10 or less after receiving subsidies.

So today, I want to start by looking at the numbers and then summarize what you should do next.

I took a look at the state-level data for the 2026 open enrollment released by CMS. In Illinois, 448,568 people chose a plan.

Out of these, 97,565 people have monthly premiums of $10 or less after applying the subsidy (APTC). When you do the math, that's 21.7%, which rounds to 22%, meaning one in five people.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised at first. After only seeing news about skyrocketing premiums, this number felt completely different.

Of course, it's fair to also look at the opposing numbers. According to the same data, the average premium before subsidies was $816 per month, while the average after subsidies for all enrollees was $230.

If we look only at the 382,114 people who received subsidies, the average support amount was $688, and the actual amount they pay is an average of $142. This means that the experience varies greatly depending on income.

We also need to consider the background. The enhanced premium tax credit that was expanded during the pandemic is set to end at the end of 2025.

In January of this year, the House passed a three-year extension, but as of the announcement by the state insurance department in October, the extension has not yet occurred.

Some argue that this has increased the burden on low-income individuals, while others see it as a temporary measure with significant financial implications. I think both perspectives have merit, but it's unfortunate that the sudden cutoff has hit the middle-income group the hardest.

Here's the situation for 2027. According to data released by the Illinois Department of Insurance on October 14, the weighted average rate increase for individual plans is 14.1%.

This is half of last year's 28.8%, but it's still an increase. However, this rate is based on pre-subsidy amounts, so it differs from the actual amounts paid.

There are five insurance companies: Ambetter, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, MercyCare HMO, Oscar, and UnitedHealthcare.

Cigna and Molina will be leaving Get Covered Illinois starting in 2027. If you are currently using plans from these two companies, you must choose a new plan this time.

Now, let's get practical. The first date to remember is October 19. Starting on this day, window shopping will open, allowing you to preview the 2027 plans and prices before enrolling.

The open enrollment period is from November 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027. The start date for coverage may vary depending on your enrollment date, so be sure to check the site.

Second, realistically estimate your income. Since subsidies are calculated based on your expected income for next year, if you estimate too loosely, you may have to pay back some during tax reconciliation.

Especially for freelancers or self-employed individuals with fluctuating incomes, it's better to be conservative, and if your income changes in the meantime, update your account right away for peace of mind.

Third, don't rely on automatic renewal. Even if last year's plan carries over, the subsidy amount or premium may have changed.

Fourth, don't just look at premiums; also consider deductibles and out-of-pocket limits. A $0 monthly Bronze plan could end up being the most expensive option after just one hospital visit.

If your income is below 250% of the federal poverty line, you can receive cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans. In this case, Silver plans may actually be more beneficial than Bronze plans.

By the way, according to the same data, 129,236 Illinois enrollees received cost-sharing reductions on Silver plans. This means that more people are utilizing this benefit than you might think.

Fifth, check if your current doctors and medications are in the network and on the formulary. It's safest to discuss medication coverage and alternatives with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, you can get free help. There are certified navigators and brokers throughout the state, and you can find them at GetCoveredIllinois.gov/LocalHelp.

The phone consultation number is 866-311-1119 (TTY 711). They can assist you in over 250 languages, so even parents who may struggle with English can inquire in Korean.

To summarize, after October 19, do some window shopping and realistically estimate your income.

Don't trust automatic renewal, compare total costs, and check your doctors and medications to wrap things up.

If I were you, I would narrow down two or three plans during the window shopping period and enroll right at the beginning of November. Waiting until the last minute can lead to busy phone lines and mistakes.

Just looking at the news about rising premiums and giving up entirely feels like a waste when 22% is such a significant number. Take just 10 minutes to check your own numbers.