Several major health systems are dropping Medicare Advantage plans in the new year. The hospitals are ending their acceptance of MA plans over issues with prior authorization denials and slow reimbursement, as seniors face increased costs on plan premiums.

Without a fix from Congress, costs for many people who buy health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplace have gone up. Here's what's to know about cheaper choices — and pitfalls to be aware of.

Millions of Low Income Americans Can Still Secure Cheap Health Insurance and Family Health Insurance Plans Today Through Sonata Care For many families searching for health insurance cheap enough to fit their budget,

Short-term insurance plans are typically cheaper than ACA coverage, costing about half as much as a plan sold on state-run marketplaces created by Obamacare. As The Washington Post notes, a 40-year-old nonsmoker in Florida can secure ACA coverage for about $500 a month, while a short-term plan would cost said person about $320.

Experts point to several factors behind the surge in health insurance prices, including general inflation, the growing use of high-cost prescription drugs, and consolidation among medical providers.

Private health insurance premiums will be going up in 2026 – in some cases, by a lot. Congressional Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked on health care reform, following disagreements over America’s health insurance marketplace that contributed to November’s government shutdown.

Health insurance companies are expected to hold to their promises in 2026 to “streamline, simplify and reduce” prior authorization, the process of approving medical care.

Congress fails to extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies before the Dec. 31 deadline as both sides try to find common ground on a bipartisan solution when they return in the new year.