The Eagle Team

American Senior Benefits, Eagle Region

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Idaho Health Insurance Rates Are Up 12% for 2027: What to Check Before December 15

Idaho's 2027 individual health insurance premiums are rising 12% on average before tax credits, according to the Idaho Department of Insurance. If you buy your own coverage, log in to Your Health Idaho before December 15, 2026, update your income, and compare plans. Letting last year's plan roll over could cost you.

The rate news landed in early October, and open enrollment has been running since October 15. The big questions right now are why prices went up, whether your plan still exists, and what you'll actually pay once the tax credit kicks in.

How much are Idaho health insurance premiums going up in 2027?

The Department of Insurance finalized an average increase of 12% in the individual market and 12% in the small group market. That's an average across carriers, so your number can be higher or lower.

The approved changes vary a lot by company. As reported by healthinsurance.org from Department of Insurance data:

• Blue Cross of Idaho: 13%
• Molina Healthcare: 13%
• Mountain Health CO-OP: 19%
• Regence BlueShield of Idaho: 9%
• SelectHealth: 9%
• St. Luke's Health Plan: 14%
• Moda Health: 23%
• PacificSource Health Plans: leaving the individual market

Each carrier's filed justification is public on the Department's rate review page. It's worth a skim if your carrier came in near the top of that list.

Why isn't the increase even bigger?

Idaho runs a 1332 state reinsurance waiver that helps pay for very expensive medical claims. The Department says it kept premiums 20% lower in 2025 and 18% lower in 2026. For 2027, the estimated effect is a 16% reduction.

So the 12% you're seeing is after that cushion. Without it, sticker prices would be noticeably higher.

What if my carrier is leaving?

PacificSource is exiting Idaho's individual market for 2027. If that's your carrier, you'll need a new plan for January 1.

Don't wait for a letter to figure it out. Log in, look at what Your Health Idaho has lined up for you, and make sure the doctors and hospitals you use are in the new plan's network. A plan someone else picked for you might not include your clinic.

Will my tax credit cover the increase?

Maybe, and that's the part people skip. Tax credits are based on household size, income, and a few other factors, so two neighbors can see very different net prices on the same plan.

Some numbers for context, from healthinsurance.org's summary of Your Health Idaho data:

• 76% of people who enrolled for 2026 got premium subsidies
• Those subsidies averaged $402 a month
• The average after-subsidy premium in 2026 was about $108 a month

Your 2027 number depends on your updated application. If your income changed this year, report it now. An old income estimate can leave you with a credit that's too small, or a surprise bill at tax time if it's too big.

One eligibility change is worth knowing about. Starting in 2027, non-citizens generally need to be lawful permanent residents, Cuban-Haitian entrants, or COFA migrants to get marketplace subsidies. If someone in your household holds another status, check how this affects you before you pick a plan.

How do I compare 2027 plans in Idaho?

Your Health Idaho lists more than 143 medical plans and 22 dental plans for 2027. That's a lot to scroll through, so narrow it down with your own checklist first:

• Doctors and hospitals. Confirm they're in network for 2027, not just 2026.
• Prescriptions. Look up each drug on every plan you're considering. Tier, prior authorization, and step therapy rules change what you pay at the counter.
• Deductible and out-of-pocket max. A cheap premium with a huge deductible isn't a deal if you use care often.
• Silver plan savings. If your income qualifies, cost-sharing reductions only come with Silver plans and can lower deductibles and copays a lot.
• Dental. Adult dental is separate in many cases, so add it if you need it.

Honestly, the drug list check is where people get burned most. A plan that looks cheaper can cost more by March if your medication moved tiers.

What's the deadline for 2027 coverage?

Idaho's open enrollment runs October 15 through December 15, 2026, for coverage starting January 1, 2027. That's earlier than the January 15 deadline many other states use, which trips up people who just moved here.

After December 15, you'll need a qualifying life event, like a move, a new baby, marriage, or losing other coverage, to enroll or change plans. Also remember that enrollment isn't final until you make your first payment to the insurance company.

Where can I get free help?

Your Health Idaho offers no-cost help, and a certified agent or broker can help at no extra charge to you. They can line up your doctors, your prescriptions, and your budget against the plans that actually fit.

If you're on Medicare, this isn't your window. Medicare has its own enrollment period that ends December 7. Our guide on what to review during Medicare open enrollment covers that side.

FAQ

When is open enrollment for Idaho health insurance in 2027? For plans starting January 1, 2027, open enrollment through Your Health Idaho runs October 15 to December 15, 2026. After that, you need a qualifying life event to sign up.

How much are Idaho ACA premiums increasing for 2027? The Idaho Department of Insurance approved an average 12% increase before tax credits in both the individual and small group markets. Individual carriers range from 9% to 23%.

Is PacificSource leaving Idaho? PacificSource Health Plans is exiting Idaho's individual market for 2027. Current enrollees should choose a new plan through Your Health Idaho by December 15.

Can I get a tax credit outside of Your Health Idaho? No. Advance premium tax credits for individual plans in Idaho are only available through Your Health Idaho.

Does my plan renew automatically? Plans through Your Health Idaho renew automatically, but your plan, price, and tax credit can change. Review it and update your income before the deadline.

Next step

A licensed local insurance agent or broker can compare your 2027 options side by side, check your doctors and prescriptions against each plan, and help you apply for a tax credit at no extra cost to you. Reach out before December 15 so your coverage is in place for January 1. You can also browse more Idaho insurance articles.

Sources: Idaho Department of Insurance 2027 rate release, Your Health Idaho, healthinsurance.org Idaho guide.

The Eagle Team

American Senior Benefits, Eagle Region

Visit eagleasb.com

Idaho Homeowners Insurance and Wildfire: What to Check Before Your Renewal

If you own a home in Idaho, check your policy's dwelling limit, deductible, and wildfire terms before it renews. The Idaho Department of Insurance says some insurers have raised premiums, changed coverage, or stopped writing new policies in higher-risk parts of the state. Knowing your terms early gives you time to fix gaps or shop.

This isn't just a summer problem. Renewal notices arrive all year, and a policy that shrank in 2026 without you noticing is the one you'll be relying on next fire season.

Why are Idaho homeowners seeing wildfire-related changes?

In May 2026, the Department issued Bulletin 26-02, its second data call to every insurer that writes homeowners and dwelling fire coverage in Idaho. The first one went out in 2025. The goal is to measure how wildfire is affecting prices, availability, and insurer exposure.

The Department's own description is blunt. Insurers have "increasingly adjusted premiums, modified coverages, and in some cases paused or stopped writing new business in higher-risk regions of the state." Director Dean L. Cameron said some insurers have scaled back or exited certain areas and that Idahoans are feeling it.

So if your premium jumped, or your agent mentioned a new wildfire deductible, you're not imagining things.

What should I look for on my renewal?

Pull out the declarations page and the renewal letter. You're looking for anything that changed from last year. The Department suggests reviewing these with your agent:

• Dwelling limit. Does it match what it would cost to rebuild today, not what you paid for the house?
• Deductible. Check for a separate wildfire or percentage deductible. A 2% deductible on a $500,000 dwelling limit is $10,000.
• Exclusions and special requirements. Some policies add conditions, like clearing brush, that can matter at claim time.
• Home inventory. Do you have an up-to-date list or video of what you own?

If anything is unclear, ask for it in writing. "Your coverage changed" is not a useful answer when you're filing a claim.

Does my location in Idaho make a difference?

Yes. The Department points out that rural homes are often isolated and surrounded by forest or brush-covered grassland, and that firefighters can have a hard time reaching them.

Homes near the wildland edge around Boise's foothills, in the mountains near McCall and Sun Valley, and across much of north Idaho face different questions than a house in a dense subdivision. Insurers price that exposure. You can't move your house, but you can know where it stands. A free tool like FloodFireCheck gives you a quick look at flood and fire exposure for an address before you talk coverage.

What can I do to lower my wildfire risk?

Insurers look at risk, and some of it is in your control. The Department and the State Fire Marshal recommend hardening your home:

• Create and keep up defensible space. For rural homes, the Department suggests clearing a safety zone of at least 200 to 500 feet of brush, pine needles, and overhanging branches.
• Clear gutters, roofs, and decks of leaves and debris.
• Install ember-resistant vents and screen openings.
• Use fire-resistant roofing, siding, and fencing. The roof is the most vulnerable part.
• Store propane or fuel tanks at least 30 feet from structures.
• Make sure fire crews can find you. Keep your road passable and your address visible from the entrance.

Take photos when you finish this work. If an insurer asks what you've done, dated pictures help.

What if my insurer won't renew me?

Don't wait until the last week. Start shopping as soon as you get a non-renewal notice, because finding coverage for a higher-risk property can take time.

An independent agent who works with several companies can often see options you won't find on your own. If you think your insurer handled a non-renewal or claim improperly, the Idaho Department of Insurance Consumer Affairs team can be reached at 1-800-721-3272.

One thing to know up front: the Department doesn't adjust claims or decide what your loss is worth. Its role is to make sure the insurer follows the Idaho Insurance Code and your policy.

What should I do if I have a wildfire claim?

The Department's claim guidance is practical, and it's worth reading before you ever need it:

• Take photos or video of the damage before cleanup if you safely can.
• Prevent further damage, and keep every receipt for that work.
• Report the claim to your insurer as soon as possible.
• Make a detailed list of damaged items, with brand, model, and serial numbers where you have them.
• Keep damaged items until the adjuster says you can throw them out.

A home inventory made before a fire is far easier than one made from memory after. Thirty minutes walking through the house with your phone camera is time well spent.

FAQ

Is homeowners insurance required in Idaho? No state law requires it. But if you have a mortgage, your lender will almost certainly require you to carry it as part of the loan agreement.

Why did my Idaho homeowners premium go up? Your insurer's filing explains the specifics, but the Idaho Department of Insurance says wildfire risk is pushing some insurers to raise premiums, change coverage, or limit new business in higher-risk areas.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding in Idaho? Standard homeowners policies generally don't cover flood. Flood coverage is usually a separate policy, so ask your agent if your property has any flood exposure.

Who do I call if I have a problem with my insurer? Contact the Idaho Department of Insurance Consumer Affairs team at 1-800-721-3272 or through doi.idaho.gov.

Next step

A licensed local insurance agent can review your current policy, explain any wildfire changes in plain terms, and compare options if your premium or coverage no longer fits. Bring your declarations page and renewal letter to the conversation. If you're moving to a new home in Idaho, our guide to vetting an Idaho moving company covers the other half of the move, and you can browse more Idaho insurance articles.

Sources: Idaho DOI wildfire data call (May 2026), Idaho DOI Wildfire Awareness Month release, Idaho DOI disaster guidance, Idaho DOI claims guidance.

The Eagle Team

American Senior Benefits, Eagle Region

Visit eagleasb.com

Medicare Open Enrollment: what to review before you change anything

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from 15 October to 7 December each year. It is the main window most people use to switch between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan, or to change their Part D prescription drug coverage for the following year.

In Idaho, roughly 407,000 people were enrolled in Medicare in 2025, and about half of them are in Medicare Advantage plans. The Idaho Department of Insurance encourages beneficiaries to review coverage during this period rather than assuming last year’s plan is still the best fit.

What usually changes

• Plan premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket amounts can shift from one year to the next.
• Drug formularies and pharmacy networks can change.
• Provider networks on Medicare Advantage plans are not static.

What usually does not change

• Your eligibility for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not reset during Open Enrollment.
• Guaranteed issue rights for Medigap policies are limited and state-specific. Idaho has a birthday rule that lets many people switch Medigap policies around their birthday without medical underwriting.

Talk to a local agent

For help comparing plans in the Eagle, Idaho area, The Eagle Team at American Senior Benefits serves Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming with a focus on Medicare, long-term care, and life insurance. Visit eagleasb.com or see the full agent note and Idaho Medicare context on the insurance page.