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Largest Increase Ever From Top Insurers. Will Select Medical Holdings Employees Be Affected?

August 14, 2025
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How Oil Volatility Affects Your Select Medical Holdings Retirement

Crude oil prices remain elevated and volatile, with annualized volatility around 80% and prices ranging between $50 and $120 per barrel over the past six months. Facility energy costs, ambulance fleet fuel, and medical supply chain logistics connect healthcare service providers to sustained oil price movements. For Select Medical Holdings employees making healthcare decisions, understanding how energy-driven economic pressures affect employer plan sustainability and cost-sharing can inform enrollment and supplemental coverage choices. In this environment, a financial advisor can help you assess your exposure to oil-driven economic effects and build appropriately diversified strategies.

'With ACA premiums expected to rise in 2026, Select Medical Holdings 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, Select Medical Holdings 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 Select Medical Holdings 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 Select Medical Holdings 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 2026, average out-of-pocket premium payments for subsidized enrollees could rise by more than 75% in 2026. 1  As of January 2026, 24.2 million people selected 2026 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 2026. 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.

Dividing retirement assets in a QDRO proceeding requires a clear understanding of what Select Medical Holdings offers through its benefit programs. Without a traditional pension, your 401(k) - alongside Social Security - forms the foundation of your retirement income at Select Medical Holdings. Select Medical Holdings may offer a 401(k) employer match - review your Summary Plan Description for current match rate and vesting details. Your overall withdrawal strategy, account sequence, and Roth conversion opportunities leading up to and into retirement deserve careful, personalized analysis given the income-sequencing implications.

On the healthcare side, Select Medical Holdings does not offer continued medical coverage to retirees, which means coverage through the company ends when employment does. Planning for the cost of health insurance during any gap between your retirement date and Medicare eligibility at age 65 is a critical step - marketplace coverage, COBRA continuation, or a spouse's employer plan are common options. Building an accurate estimate of bridge-coverage costs into your retirement income projection prevents underestimating one of the largest variable expenses retirees face. Putting your Select Medical Holdings benefits into the framework of a holistic retirement income plan reveals how each piece supports the others.

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 2026 .' 17 Jan. 2026.

3. The Commonwealth Fund. ' Proposed Rule Will Make Consumers Pay More for Health Insurance and Care in ACA Marketplaces ,' by Sara Collins. 7 May 2026.

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

5. PwC Health Research Institute.  Medical Cost Trend: Behind the Numbers 2026 .  PwC , 16 July 2026,  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 2026,  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 2026, PDF,  https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-9884-f-2026-pi-rule-master-5cr-062025.pdf .

3. Minemyer, Paige. “Aetna to Exit the ACA Exchanges in 2026.”  Fierce Healthcare , 1 May 2026,  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 is the 401(k) plan offered by Select Medical Holdings?

The 401(k) plan offered by Select Medical Holdings is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.

Does Select Medical Holdings match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Select Medical Holdings provides a matching contribution to employee 401(k) accounts, subject to certain limits and conditions.

What is the eligibility requirement to participate in Select Medical Holdings' 401(k) plan?

Employees of Select Medical Holdings are typically eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, as outlined in the plan documents.

How can employees of Select Medical Holdings enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Employees can enroll in the Select Medical Holdings 401(k) plan by completing the enrollment process through the designated online portal or by contacting the HR department for assistance.

What types of investment options are available in the Select Medical Holdings 401(k) plan?

The Select Medical Holdings 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles, allowing employees to choose based on their risk tolerance.

Can employees of Select Medical Holdings take loans against their 401(k) savings?

Yes, Select Medical Holdings allows employees to take loans against their 401(k) savings, subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.

What happens to the 401(k) plan if an employee leaves Select Medical Holdings?

If an employee leaves Select Medical Holdings, they have several options for their 401(k) savings, including rolling over the balance into an IRA or a new employer's plan.

Are there any fees associated with the Select Medical Holdings 401(k) plan?

Yes, there may be administrative fees and investment-related fees associated with the Select Medical Holdings 401(k) plan, which are disclosed in the plan documents.

How often can employees change their contribution rates to the Select Medical Holdings 401(k) plan?

Employees can typically change their contribution rates to the Select Medical Holdings 401(k) plan at any time, subject to the plan's guidelines.

Does Select Medical Holdings provide financial education regarding the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Select Medical Holdings offers resources and financial education to help employees make informed decisions about their 401(k) savings and investments.

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

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