Health Affairs January 16, 2026
The 2025 Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period has been a difficult one, as Marketplace enrollees are facing significant premium hikes for 2026 coverage. When Marketplace coverage—which has to meet ACA standards for benefits, non-discrimination, and network adequacy—becomes tougher to afford, non-ACA compliant products (sometimes referred to as “junk plans” because of the lack of state and federal protections) may gain traction, especially when they are marketed as cheap alternatives to the Marketplace and the federal government has relaxed enforcement.
These non-ACA compliant products can be harmful in three ways: because they are not subject to most state and federal health insurance standards, they often come with major coverage limitations, including skimpy benefits and an array of exclusions; these...
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