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

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

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for PPG Industries: PPG Industries, a global supplier of paints and coatings, typically partners with prominent healthcare providers in the corporate sector to offer comprehensive health insurance plans for its employees. Specific providers can vary by region but may include nationwide insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, or Cigna, depending on the company's benefits structure. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases for PPG Industries in 2026: In light of anticipated changes in the healthcare landscape, PPG Industries may face significant healthcare cost increases in 2026. As record premium hikes are projected, with some states experiencing increases over 60%, the loss of enhanced federal premium subsidies could exacerbate financial strains on employees. Reports indicate that over 22 million participants in the ACA marketplace might see an astounding rise in out-of-pocket premiums, with average hikes anticipated to exceed 75%. This challenging environment could compel PPG to reevaluate its employee health benefits strategy to mitigate costs and maintain adequate coverage. Click here to learn more

'With ACA premiums expected to rise in 2026, PPG Industries 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, PPG Industries 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 PPG Industries 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 PPG Industries 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.

Featured Video

Articles you may find interesting:

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 are the key factors that PPG Industries (UK) Limited employees should consider when planning for retirement, and how does the PPG Pension Hub facilitate this planning process to ensure a secure financial future?

Key factors for retirement planning and PPG Pension Hub: Employees at PPG Industries (UK) Limited should consider their lifestyle goals, contributions, and the age at which they wish to retire. The PPG Pension Hub facilitates retirement planning by providing access to personal pension data, modeling tools, and resources that help employees visualize their retirement income and savings adjustments(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).

How does the introduction of the Bridging Pension option affect the retirement planning of PPG Industries (UK) Limited employees, particularly those who are considering retiring before reaching State Pension age?

Bridging Pension option and retirement planning: The Bridging Pension option allows employees to receive a higher pension before reaching State Pension age and then reduces their pension once the State Pension begins. This is helpful for those retiring early, as it smooths their income before State Pension payments start(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).

In what ways can employees of PPG Industries (UK) Limited maximize their contributions to the DC section of their pension plan, and what strategies can they employ to adjust their retirement savings for unexpected financial needs?

Maximizing contributions to the DC section: Employees can adjust their retirement savings by increasing their regular or one-off contributions. The secure member website provides a tool, myTarget, that shows the impact of increased contributions on future benefits, helping employees manage unexpected financial needs(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).

How does PPG Industries (UK) Limited's change to the life assurance arrangement impact employeesâ€™ beneficiaries upon their death, and what steps should employees take to ensure their Expression of Wish Form is up to date?

Impact of changes to life assurance arrangement: The new life assurance arrangement removes the risk of exceeding the Lifetime Allowance by paying a lump sum outside the pension plan. Employees should ensure their Expression of Wish Form is up to date to guarantee the correct beneficiaries receive their lump sum upon death(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).

What are the implications of the recent updates regarding Guaranteed Minimum Pension (GMP) equalization for PPG Industries (UK) Limited employees, and how can affected employees monitor the status of their benefits?

GMP equalization updates: The GMP equalization process ensures that pensions are equalized for men and women. Affected employees will be notified if changes apply to their benefits, and they should monitor communications from the plan administrators for updates(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).

How can PPG Industries (UK) Limited employees prepare for potential changes in minimum pension age and state pension age, and what resources are available through the company to assist in this planning?

Preparing for changes in pension age: With the normal minimum pension age rising to 57 in 2028 and the State Pension age increasing, employees should review their retirement plans. PPG Industries offers resources like the PPG Pension Hub and financial advice services to help employees plan for these changes(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).

How can employees of PPG Industries (UK) Limited access independent financial advice at no cost, and what should they consider when selecting a financial adviser to help them navigate their pension options?

Access to independent financial advice: PPG Industries covers the cost for one complete round of independent financial advice through WPS Advisory Limited. Employees should evaluate their adviser options, ensuring the selected adviser is registered and understands the specificities of the PPG pension plan(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).

What critical information regarding pension tax allowances in 2024 should employees of PPG Industries (UK) Limited be aware of when making contributions to their pension scheme?

Pension tax allowances in 2024: Employees should be aware of the Annual Allowance, capped at £40,000, and the Lifetime Allowance, fixed at £1.0731 million. Contributions exceeding these limits may result in tax charges, making it essential to track contributions and consider tax implications when planning their pensions(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).

How has the performance of the investment options within PPG Industries (UK) Limited's Defined Contribution (DC) section impacted member benefits, and what should employees consider when selecting their investment portfolios?

Impact of investment options in the DC section: The performance of the investment options, such as the new Aon Managed Global Impact Fund, can significantly affect employee benefits. Employees should assess their investment portfolios regularly to ensure they align with their risk tolerance and retirement goals(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).

How can PPG Industries (UK) Limited employees contact the company for detailed inquiries regarding their pension plans, and what specific information should they be prepared to provide during this contact for efficient assistance?

Contacting the company for pension inquiries: Employees can contact the plan administrators at Aon via phone, email, or postal address. They should be prepared with their employee ID or member number, as well as personal information like date of birth, to ensure smooth communication(PPG INDUSTRIES UK LIMIT…).