October 31st, 2025 – The 2026 rate increases for individuals who buy their own health insurance are pretty rough—no doubt about it. While there is still a chance of rates going down, potentially by nearly 20% in some areas if Congress extends the enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs), that is far from guaranteed to happen.

In 2026, we expect more people to look at “lower-cost” Bronze plans to rein in their premium costs. Bronze plans still have an out-of-pocket maximum to limit your financial risk—which is the real purpose of insurance—and their lower premiums keep more money in your pocket each month.

As of January 1st, 2026, all Bronze and Catastrophic Connect for Health Colorado marketplace plans are HSA-qualified. HSA-qualified plans can be a powerful tool to not only help lower premiums but also provide valuable tax-saving benefits.

HSA-qualified plans are special, tax-advantaged plans that allow you to set aside money on a 100% tax-free basis to pay for qualified healthcare expenses, including many medical, dental, and vision costs as outlined in IRS Publication 969.

You can spend money from your HSA on qualified expenses for yourself, your spouse, and any dependents you claim on your tax return—regardless of whether they are covered by your high-deductible health plan!

Any unspent money in your HSA rolls over from year to year. Some people choose HSA financial institutions that allow them to invest their funds, while others prefer HSAs that function more like a checking account with a debit card.

Lower-cost plans may be the best option in two scenarios. One is obvious: if you have a good year, the lowest-cost Bronze plan will likely be your best option. However, if you have a bad year, a Bronze plan with “HSA” or “HDHP” in the name may offer the ideal blend of lower premiums and lower out-of-pocket maximums compared to many other plan options.

People with several mid-tier medications and frequent doctor visits may still be better served by lower-deductible plans that include doctor and prescription copays—so long as those services aren’t subject to the deductible. Be sure to check the plan Summary of Benefits and Evidence of Coverage for important coverage details and limitations.