New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

Largest Increase Ever From Top Insurers. Will Guess Employees Be Affected?

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Guess Guess, the renowned apparel and accessories brand, typically partners with national health insurance providers like UnitedHealthcare for employee healthcare coverage. Such partnerships enable them to offer comprehensive health plans to their employees, ensuring access to a wide network of healthcare services. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 In 2026, healthcare costs are projected to rise sharply, presenting significant challenges for consumers and businesses alike. Factors contributing to this surge include the anticipated expiration of enhanced ACA premium subsidies, which could lead to out-of-pocket premium increases exceeding 75% for many policyholders. Additionally, ongoing inflation in the medical sector, driven by escalating costs in hospital services, labor shortages, and increased drug prices, further complicates the financial landscape. As healthcare providers and insurers navigate these pressures, consumers may find themselves facing unprecedented cost burdens unless proactive measures are taken to mitigate the impact. Click here to learn more

'With ACA premiums expected to rise in 2026, Guess employees should compare marketplace and employer-related options early, model net costs with and without current subsidies, and coordinate with HR and a qualified tax professional for decisions suited to their situation.' — Patrick Ray, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'With ACA marketplace premiums expected to climb in 2026, Guess employees should compare employer and marketplace options early, estimate net costs under both current and lapsed subsidy scenarios, and coordinate with HR and a qualified tax professional to align coverage with their budget.' — Michael Corgiat, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:
1. The expected premium increases for ACA marketplace plans in 2026 and their potential impact on Guess employees and retirees.
2. The major national insurers and states with the largest requested rate hikes.
3. The primary economic, legislative, and industry factors driving these increases.
In 2026, health insurance rates for plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace are expected to surge, with several insurers requesting increases exceeding 60%. ¹ For Guess employees and retirees using ACA coverage, this could mean a substantial rise in health care costs. State insurance filings and industry publications point to higher medical expenses, the potential end of enhanced federal premium subsidies, and significant rate-hike proposals from major insurers as key drivers of the increase.

According to KFF’s analyses, the vast majority of marketplace enrollees receive premium tax credits, and if the enhanced credits expire after 2025, average out-of-pocket premium payments for subsidized enrollees could rise by more than 75% in 2026. ¹ As of January 2025, 24.2 million people selected 2025 marketplace coverage, ² and about 93% of marketplace enrollees rely on premium tax credits. ³ KFF also reports that requested premium increases for 2026 are the largest in years, with most proposals falling between roughly 12% and 27% and a median of 18% across reviewed filings. ⁴

Top 10 States With the Largest Requested Premium Increases for 2026:
- New York: UnitedHealthcare requesting up to +66.4% (individual market).
- Arkansas: QualChoice +54.4% , Ambetter (Celtic) +42.5% , statewide average +36.1% .
- Colorado: Western Slope ~+38.8% ; statewide average +28.4% . Rocky Mountain HMO +36.4% , Cigna +29.4% , Anthem +33.6% , Kaiser +15.3% .
- Florida: Molina ~+41% , Florida Blue +27% , Centene Venture +18.73%
- Maine: Anthem (revised) +24.8% ; statewide weighted average +25.9% .
- Washington: 14 insurers; requested average +21.2% .
- Vermont: BCBS Vermont +23.3% .
- Maryland: Requested statewide average +17.1% (individual market).
- Illinois: BCBS Illinois +27% .
- Texas: BCBS Texas +21% .
Major National Insurers and Their 2026 Requests:
- UnitedHealthcare (UnitedHealth Group): Up to +66.4% in New York.
- Elevance Health (Anthem BCBS): +33.6% in Colorado; +24.8% in Maine.
- Kaiser Permanente: +15.3% in Colorado (individual market).
- Centene Corporation (Ambetter/Celtic): +42.5% in Arkansas; +18.73% in Florida.
- Cigna Healthcare: +29.4% in Colorado.
- Molina Healthcare: ~41% in Florida.
- HCSC (BCBS IL, TX): +27% in Illinois; +21% in Texas.
- GuideWell (Florida Blue): +27% in Florida.
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield: Maryland requested statewide average +17.1% .
- CVS Health/Aetna: Withdrawing ACA marketplace plans in 17 states in 2026, affecting ~1 million members.
Key Factors Driving the Increases:
- Loss of Enhanced Premium Subsidies: The American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act extended ACA subsidies through 2025. Without renewal, subsidized enrollees could see sharp increases in monthly premiums beginning in 2026 (KFF estimates more than a 75% jump in average out-of-pocket premiums for subsidized enrollees if the enhancements lapse). ¹
- Medical Cost Inflation: Leading consultancies report elevated medical cost trends heading into 2026—about 7.5% in the individual market and 8.5% in the group market ⁵ —driven by hospital/physician services and prescription drugs.
- Regulatory Shifts: Market rules and state laws have influenced filings. For example, analysts note federal policy changes (e.g., the Marketplace Integrity rule) as a factor cited in filings, adding operational uncertainty for vertically integrated insurers/PBMs.

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Sources:

1. KFF, Health System Tracker. ' How much and why ACA Marketplace premiums are going up in 2026 ,' by J. Ortaliza, M. McGough, K. Vu, I. Telesford, S. Rakshit, E. Wager, L. Cotter, C. Cox. 6 Aug. 2026.

2. CMS.gov. ' Over 24 Million Consumers Selected Affordable Health Coverage in ACA Marketplace for 2025 .' 17 Jan. 2025.

3. The Commonwealth Fund. ' Proposed Rule Will Make Consumers Pay More for Health Insurance and Care in ACA Marketplaces ,' by Sara Collins. 7 May 2025.

4. Fierce Healthcare. ' KFF Analysis finds a median ACA premium hike of 18% for 2026 ,' by Paige Minemyer. 8 Aug. 2025.

5. PwC Health Research Institute. Medical Cost Trend: Behind the Numbers 2026 . PwC , 16 July 2025, https://www.pwc.com/us/en/industries/health-industries/library/behind-the-numbers.html .

Other reources:

1. New York State Department of Financial Services. “Summary of 2026 Requested Rate Actions.” DFS Portal , 2 June 2025, https://myportal.dfs.ny.gov/web/prior-approval/ind-and-sg-medical/summary-of-2026-requested-rate-actions .

2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability (Final Rule). 18 June 2025, PDF, https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-9884-f-2025-pi-rule-master-5cr-062025.pdf .

3. Minemyer, Paige. “Aetna to Exit the ACA Exchanges in 2026.” Fierce Healthcare , 1 May 2025, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/aetna-exit-aca-exchanges-2026 .
Pages/Sections referenced: Article body noting ~1 million exchange members and the 2026 exit (single web page; n. pag.).

What type of retirement savings plan does Guess offer to its employees?

Guess offers a 401(k) retirement savings plan to help employees save for their future.

Does Guess match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Guess provides a matching contribution to employees who participate in the 401(k) plan, up to a certain percentage.

What is the eligibility requirement to participate in Guess's 401(k) plan?

Employees at Guess are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically 30 days.

Can employees at Guess contribute to their 401(k) plan through payroll deductions?

Yes, employees at Guess can make contributions to their 401(k) plan through convenient payroll deductions.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the Guess 401(k) plan?

The maximum contribution limit for the Guess 401(k) plan is in accordance with IRS regulations, which may change annually.

Does Guess allow employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts?

Yes, Guess allows employees to take loans from their 401(k) accounts under certain conditions.

What investment options are available in the Guess 401(k) plan?

The Guess 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds.

How can employees at Guess access their 401(k) account information?

Employees at Guess can access their 401(k) account information through the plan's online portal or by contacting the plan administrator.

Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Guess 401(k) plan?

Yes, there is a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Guess 401(k) plan, which outlines how long employees must work to fully own the employer contributions.

Can employees at Guess change their contribution percentage to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, employees at Guess can change their contribution percentage at any time, subject to plan rules.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

For Guess, Inc., the company's 401(k) plan is known as the "Guess, Inc. 401(k) Plan and Trust." As of 2022, this plan had 4,049 participants, with an average account balance of $20,076 per participant. The estimated average employee contribution in 2022 was $1,269. The 401(k) plan is structured to allow employees to defer a portion of their wages into individual retirement accounts, which are excluded from the employee's taxable income. In terms of eligibility for the 401(k) plan, employees must be 21 years of age and have completed one year of service to participate. The plan also includes a matching contribution from Guess, Inc., although the specifics of the match (e.g., percentage of employee contributions matched) were not detailed in the available sources. Regarding the pension plan, Guess, Inc. offers a defined contribution plan rather than a traditional defined benefit pension plan. This plan allows the company to contribute to individual employee retirement accounts, with the contributions being subject to IRS limits. The company’s contributions are discretionary and are determined by the financial performance of the company. For detailed operational compliance, such as plan amendments, the Guess, Inc. plan is governed by the SECURE 2.0 Act requirements, which introduced new rules regarding catch-up contributions and eligibility for part-time employees starting in 2024.

Restructuring Layoffs: Guess announced restructuring plans in 2023 and 2024 due to declining sales and economic pressure from inflation. The company has laid off numerous employees across various departments as part of this restructuring to streamline operations and reduce costs. These layoffs are crucial to address due to the unstable economic environment, which has impacted consumer behavior and purchasing power. With tax changes also coming into play, these layoffs allow Guess to preserve its financial stability and adapt to a fluctuating market

Company A offered stock options and RSUs to its senior executives and certain key employees. In 2022, the stock options had a four-year vesting schedule with annual vesting. The RSUs granted in 2023 were subject to performance-based criteria. (Source: 10-K Report, Page 42)

Guess has been actively enhancing its employee wellness and health benefits as part of its broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. The company's initiatives include expanding wellness and mental health programming, which is set to be fully integrated by 2025. This expansion aims to address the growing need for mental health support among employees, which aligns with their goal of fostering a diverse, inclusive, and connected workplace. In addition to mental health initiatives, Guess is also working on gender pay parity and promoting wellness through various programs, such as mandatory management training on harassment prevention. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to employee well-being, which has been consistently highlighted in their ESG reports. Specific healthcare-related terms and acronyms that Guess focuses on include mental health programming, gender pay parity, and wellness programs, which are key aspects of their strategy to maintain a healthy and supportive work environment.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Guess at , ; or by calling them at .

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