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

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

Healthcare Provider Update: Lennox International utilizes the services of Aetna as its healthcare provider, offering employees access to a variety of health insurance plans. As we approach 2026, healthcare costs are projected to rise significantly, impacting individuals across the country, including employees at Lennox International. The anticipated expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could lead to a staggering increase in premiums, with some states reporting hikes of over 60%. This perfect storm of factors-escalating medical costs exacerbated by a highly profitable insurance sector-may see many consumers facing out-of-pocket premium increases exceeding 75%, creating financial strain for those dependent on ACA marketplace plans. It's imperative for employees to prepare and consider their options carefully in the face of these impending changes. Click here to learn more

'With ACA premiums expected to rise in 2026, Lennox International 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, Lennox International 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 Lennox International 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 Lennox International 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 types of retirement plans does Lennox International offer to its employees?

Lennox International offers a 401(k) Savings Plan that allows employees to save for retirement through pre-tax contributions.

How can employees of Lennox International enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Employees of Lennox International can enroll in the 401(k) Savings Plan during their onboarding process or during open enrollment periods.

Does Lennox International match employee contributions to the 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, Lennox International offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) Savings Plan, which helps employees grow their retirement savings.

What is the maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) Savings Plan at Lennox International?

The maximum contribution limit for the 401(k) Savings Plan at Lennox International is subject to IRS limits, which can change annually. Employees should check the latest guidelines for specific amounts.

Can employees of Lennox International take loans against their 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, Lennox International allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) Savings Plan, subject to certain terms and conditions.

What investment options are available in the Lennox International 401(k) Savings Plan?

The 401(k) Savings Plan at Lennox International offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles.

How often can employees change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) Savings Plan at Lennox International?

Employees at Lennox International can change their contribution amounts to the 401(k) Savings Plan on a quarterly basis or during designated enrollment periods.

Is there a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Lennox International 401(k) Savings Plan?

Yes, there is a vesting schedule for the employer match in the Lennox International 401(k) Savings Plan, which determines when employees fully own the matched contributions.

What happens to the 401(k) Savings Plan if an employee leaves Lennox International?

If an employee leaves Lennox International, they have several options for their 401(k) Savings Plan, including rolling it over to another retirement account or cashing it out, subject to taxes and penalties.

How can employees access their 401(k) Savings Plan account information at Lennox International?

Employees can access their 401(k) Savings Plan account information through the company's online benefits portal or by contacting the HR department.

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

Pension Plan: Lennox International offers its employees the Lennox International Inc. 2008 Consolidated Pension Plan, which is available for U.S.-based employees. The pension formula used by Lennox is a Defined Benefit formula, where retirement benefits are determined based on years of service and final average earnings. This plan applies to employees with long-term tenure and is part of Lennox's broader efforts to offer retirement security. Lennox International calculates benefits based on a multiplier applied to the employee's final average salary and length of service. The company has historically adjusted pension funding as needed to account for market conditions. The 2008 Consolidated Pension Plan continues to be relevant through 2023 and 2024. [Source: SEC Filing, Page 45] (Lennox). 401(k) Plan: Lennox International offers a 401(k) plan to both salaried and hourly employees, referred to as the Lennox International Inc. 401(k) Plan. Employees are eligible to participate after meeting the required age and service thresholds. The company provides a matching contribution of up to 6%, which applies to all eligible employees. The 401(k) plan includes both traditional and Roth options, allowing employees to make pre-tax or post-tax contributions depending on their financial goals. The plan has continued to operate efficiently throughout 2022, 2023, and 2024, allowing employees to grow their retirement savings with company support. [Source: Lennox Annual Report, Page 72] (Lennox).

In 2023, Lennox International divested its European operations as part of its restructuring efforts to focus on its core North American market. This was driven by rising material costs, inflation, and a shift towards energy-efficient solutions. Lennox also projected a core revenue growth between 0-4% for 2023, with long-term revenue targets between $5.0-$5.5 billion by 2026. CEO Alok Maskara emphasized the importance of cost reduction and leveraging productivity initiatives to offset inflation (Lennox). Lennox’s restructuring and financial projections reflect the company’s efforts to remain competitive amid economic challenges and inflationary pressures. It is critical to address Lennox’s restructuring and benefit changes in light of the current economic, tax, and political environment. Rising costs and regulatory shifts in the energy sector are prompting companies like Lennox to focus on financial stability, sustainability, and innovation. The company’s ability to adapt to these challenges by cutting costs and focusing on core markets will significantly impact its long-term success and employee benefits.

Lennox International offers stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to its employees as part of their executive compensation plan. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Lennox International granted RSUs under time-based vesting schedules. These RSUs do not require employees to purchase shares; instead, shares are delivered upon vesting, which aligns with performance and retention goals. Stock options allow employees to purchase shares at a fixed price after meeting specific conditions. These plans aim to incentivize long-term employment and performance improvements for eligible employees. For instance, RSUs were granted on March 15, 2023, with 2,052 shares vesting, and future vesting schedules are set for March 15, 2024 (Lennox) (Lennox) (Lennox). Only executives and key employees, such as directors and covered persons under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act, are eligible to receive these RSUs and stock options

Lennox International offers a comprehensive suite of health benefits to its employees, emphasizing wellness and flexibility. Employees have access to various health plans, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs). Lennox International also prioritizes mental health, offering programs such as employee assistance plans (EAPs) to support psychological well-being. Recent updates to Lennox's benefits structure reflect a growing focus on preventative care and wellness initiatives, which align with current trends toward promoting long-term employee health (Built In) (Lennox). These changes are particularly important in the current economic and political environment, where healthcare costs continue to rise, and there is increased pressure for companies to provide sustainable health benefits to attract and retain talent. In light of the growing demand for high-quality healthcare, Lennox International has also implemented benefits related to disability coverage, life insurance, and wellness programs, which include incentives for healthy living (Lennox). These initiatives are critical as companies face economic challenges and evolving tax regulations that could impact employer-provided health benefits. Addressing healthcare topics in this context is essential, as political decisions regarding healthcare policy can directly influence the stability and cost of corporate health plans. Lennox International's approach to healthcare aims to protect employees against rising healthcare expenses while ensuring compliance with current tax and economic policies

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

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