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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.