Montanans who purchase individual health insurance through the federal Marketplace could see the cost of their plans spike by double digits in 2026.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, one of the insurance companies that sells plans under the Affordable Care Act, is requesting an average rate increase of 28% for individuals. Mountain Health Cooperative is proposing a 25% jump.

The preliminary proposals released by federal health officials Aug. 1 indicate how Montana insurers are preparing for a shifting Affordable Care Act Marketplace beginning in the new year. In several states that released proposed rate changes earlier in the summer, insurers requested a median premium increase of 15%, according to a July analysis published by the Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF.

For Blue Cr

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