Alaska Air Group Employees: Expect Rising Health Insurance Costs in 2026

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Alaska Air Group Alaska Air Group employees primarily receive their health insurance coverage through Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska. Premera is the largest insurer in the state and offers various health plan options primarily through the individual marketplace. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026 As 2026 approaches, Alaska Air Group employees may experience significant increases in healthcare costs, driven by a confluence of factors. Without the continuation of enhanced federal premium subsidies, many individuals could face out-of-pocket premium rises of over 75%. The pressure on employers to shift more health expenses to employees is evident, with a recent survey indicating that 51% of large employers are likely to raise deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums. Coupled with broader trends of medical cost inflation and substantial rate increases requested by insurers, employees of Alaska Air Group should brace for potentially heightened financial burdens in their healthcare coverage. Click here to learn more

'Rising health care costs underscore the importance for Alaska Air Group employees to regularly review their benefits and long-term financial strategy,' says Paul Bergeron, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'With health care expenses climbing faster than wages, Alaska Air Group employees should proactively evaluate their coverage options to help protect their long-term financial well-being,' says Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article, we will discuss:

1. Why health insurance costs may rise in 2026.

2. What changes could impact Affordable Care Act and employer plans.

3. How to review your options during open enrollment.

Health insurance expenses may soon climb even higher for millions of households, including those of Alaska Air Group employees. Some people have even received advance notice of increases through 2026, adding to concerns that affordable insurance options are becoming more limited.

If you are one of the approximately 24 million Americans enrolled in an ACA marketplace plan, ¹  be aware that significant shifts could occur soon. If enhanced ACA premium tax credits expire after 2025, the average family premium could rise 114%, jumping from $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026. ¹

Rising expenses are also impacting those covered through employer plans, including employees at Alaska Air Group. Surveys indicate that employer-sponsored health insurance costs are estimated to go up by 6% to 9% in 2026—the biggest increase in more than 15 years. ²  As companies continue shifting more of these expenses to workers, payroll deductions and out-of-pocket costs are on the rise. Health care cost growth is even outpacing wage growth, ³  adding pressure on family budgets.

Why Are Prices Increasing?

Many factors contribute to the upward trend, ³  including:

• - A surge in medical visits delayed during the pandemic

• - The growing number of older Americans requiring ongoing care

• - Continued high incidence of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease

• - Shortages and rising labor costs in the health care workforce

• - Higher demand for services combined with fewer workers

• Competitive differences across regions also influence costs—some markets have many insurance options, while others have only one or two participating carriers.

What to Do During Open Enrollment

• Review your current health care usage. If you typically use fewer services, a high-deductible plan paired with a Health Savings Account might lower monthly premiums and offer certain tax advantages.

• Plan ahead for anticipated medical needs. If you expect more care next year, a plan with higher monthly payments but lower deductibles may help spread costs more evenly.

• Explore additional coverage options. Depending on eligibility, Medicaid, CHIP, or catastrophic plans may help if employer or marketplace premiums increase sharply.

• Stay flexible while enrollment is open. You can modify your plan through the end of open enrollment if your situation or subsidy rules change.

The Bigger Picture

Health care decisions are playing a larger role in long-term planning for Alaska Air Group households. Rising medical costs can influence both current spending and future retirement readiness.

At The Retirement Group, we assist individuals in planning for health care costs both before and after retirement. To talk about available plan types and tax-advantaged options as open enrollment approaches, call (800) 900-5867.

Want Assistance Reviewing Your Options?

Health plan decisions affect more than just next year—they may also shape your future income expectations, especially if you’re planning to leave Alaska Air Group in the near future.

You don’t need to navigate this alone. Before open enrollment deadlines end, The Retirement Group can help you examine your health care strategy alongside your retirement plan.

Want Assistance Reviewing Your Options?

Health plan decisions affect more than just next year—they may also shape your future retirement income needs, especially for those leaving Alaska Air Group in the coming years.

You don’t need to sort through this alone. Before open enrollment deadlines end,  The Retirement Group  can help you assess your health care strategy and retirement plan.
Call  (800) 900-5867  to get started.

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Sources:

1. Lo, Justin, and Larry Levitt.  Early Indications of the Impact of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit Expiration on 2026 Marketplace Premiums . Kaiser Family Foundation, Sept. 2025,  www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/aca-marketplace-premium-payments-would-more-than-double-on-average-next-year-if-enhanced-premium-tax-credits-expire .

2. Mercer Insights Team. “Employers Prepare for the Highest Health Benefit Cost Increase in 15 Years.”  Mercer , 3 Sept. 2025,  www.mercer.com/en-us/insights/us-health-news/employers-prepare-for-the-highest-health-benefit-cost-increase-in-15-years

3. “Why Are Healthcare Costs Rising?”  Marsh McLennan Agency , 5 Sept. 2025,  www.marshmma.com/us/insights/details/rising-health-care-costs.html .

4. “Five Key Changes to ACA Marketplaces Amid Uncertainty Over Premium Tax Credits.”  Center on Budget and Policy Priorities , 2025,  www.cbpp.org/research/health/five-key-changes-to-aca-marketplaces-amid-uncertainty-over-premium-tax-credit .

5. Health Care Workforce Shortages. NIHCM Foundation, 4 Mar. 2025, nihcm.org/newsletter/rising-healthcare-workforce-shortage.