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Trout Insurance Blog

Medicare Annual Enrollment 2026

10/24/2025

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ACA Enrollment 2026

November 1st - December 15th: Jan 1st Effective Date

December 15th - January 15th: Feb 1st Effective Date

We’re less than 2 weeks away from the beginning of the 2026 Annual Enrollment Period for health insurance plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace. As we’ve mentioned in our previous correspondence, the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit is expiring on 12/31/2025. If Congress fails to renew the enhanced credits or come to a compromise, we’re expecting to see premiums increase significantly, as well as other changes to the market.

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Delayed Renewal Letters

Update: The delivery of renewal letters from Blue Cross Blue Shield has been delayed to the last week of October or the first week of November. The renewal letter will list the upcoming changes to your current health plan. Please note that the premium amount listed does not account for updated subsidy amounts and could be inaccurate. Your agent will be able to provide you with an accurate estimate on or after November 1st. At this time, new subsidies are based on the second lowest Silver Plan available in our area, and we do not know what that specific plan is yet. Also, we are not aware if the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit will be available for 2026. A key to figuring out your premium will be trying to estimate your income as accurately as possible.  

Update Your Information
 

What Will Change?


  • One Carrier Exiting: If you currently have an ACA plan through Aetna/CVS, you will have to switch to a new carrier for 2026. Aetna is leaving the Under-65 health marketplace for individuals.  


  • Return of the “400% Cliff”: There will be no subsidy help available for households that are 400% above the federal poverty line. You will have to pay the full premium amount.

    • Single: $60,250

    • Household of Two: $82,800

    • Family of Four: $125,000

  • Loss of the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit: Since early 2021, Health Insurance Marketplace plans have had an “Enhanced Premium Tax Credit” applied to all marketplace plans. Starting in January of 2026, the enhanced credit will expire. This could result in a substantial premium increase for everyone.

  • Documents and Verification: More verification could be required for everyone on a marketplace plan. To enroll in a plan for 2026, you may have to provide documents to verify your income, citizenship, or proof of no other coverage before your plan can begin.


 


Next Steps: Preparing For 2026


To help prepare for the 2025-2026 enrollment period, we’ll need to have as much information as possible ahead of time. Having up-to-date and accurate information will be vital in searching for the most beneficial option(s) available.  


The Information we will need includes:

  • The estimated HOUSEHOLD income for 2026. (Line 11 of your tax return).

  • The name(s) of your Primary Care Doctor and any Specialists you use routinely.

  • A list of your brand-name/expensive medications (not over the counter)

  • Any priorities for your plan (prescription coverage, mental health benefits, etc.)

  • A signed consent form (link below)


To get started with this process, you can submit your updated information and consent by clicking the “Update Your Information” button below. Thank You!


Update Your Information

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Copyright (C) *2025* *Trout Insurance Services, Inc. . All rights reserved.
We may not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent at least 7 Medicare Advantage organizations that offer at least 50 different plan options in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), to get information on all of your options.

Our address and contact information
29 N. Main Street Weaverville, NC 28787
[email protected]
828-279-4681

www.TroutInsurance.com  & www.MedicareOptionsForYou.com

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Trout Insurance Services

Monday-Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm & by appointment


​Visit: 29 N Main St
Weaverville, NC 28787
     
Mail: PO Box 1414     
Weaverville, NC 28787  
Ph: 828.279.4681
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Fax: 1.888.221.4842
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[email protected]
Trout Insurance is an Independent Insurance Agency Based in WNC. 
Privacy Notice Statement  | Privacy Policy
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“We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or call 1.800.Medicare to get information on all of your options.”
Trout Insurance is an independent authorized agency licensed to sell and promote products from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC). The content contained in this site is maintained by Trout Insurance. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®, SM Registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.”
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  • Insurance
    • Home & Auto Insurance >
      • Home & Auto Intro
      • Travelers - Customer Services
      • Hartford - Customer Services
      • Nationwide Customer Service
      • National General Customer Service
    • Health Insurance >
      • ACA Open Enrollment 2026
    • Medicare
    • Accident & Hospital >
      • Accident Plans
      • Critical Illness
      • Long-Term Care
      • Disability Insurance
    • Pet Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Travel Medical and Trip Protection
    • Dental and Vision
    • Employee Benefits
    • Business Owners >
      • Group Health Insurance
      • Commercial Property & Liability
      • Business Overhead Expense Disability
      • Disability for Business Owners
      • Critical Illness
    • Short Term Health
  • Trout Team
    • Our Story
    • Dave Trout
    • David Hanson
    • Idelle Davids
    • Linnea Conway
    • Jan Trout
    • Steve Dillingham
  • Resources
    • Discover Your Options
    • 50 Plus
    • Tales of Whoa
    • Employee Success
    • Fifty Plus
    • Fixing the ACA "Family Glitch"
    • Medicaid Expansion
    • Client Center
    • Newsletter
    • Thank You
    • Reviews
    • Blog
    • Articles >
      • Fine Homes WNC
      • Privacy Policy
      • Insurance Partners
      • No Income Cap
      • ACA Income Verification
      • BCBS Online Setup
      • APTC Income 2023 & Tax Form 1040
      • Prior Agents
      • Lost Subsidy
  • Community
    • WNC Strong
    • LLyods of Weaverville
    • Fishbowl- Yellow Mug
    • Built to Last
    • Candlelight Stroll
    • Music on Main
    • Goombay & YMI
    • Weaverville Primary Spring Fling
    • 50+ WNC Articles
    • Understanding Medicare 2024
    • Mural on Main Street
    • Alignment's 5-Star Switch
    • YMI Winter Coat Drive
    • Employer Networking w/ Just Economics
    • Blue Ridge Pride Festival
    • Medicare Seminar
    • Art in Autumn + MANNA
    • Western Women's Business Center Conference
    • Back to School
  • Contact Us
  • New Page