Individual & Family · Resource

What happened to ACA subsidies in Wyoming in 2026 — and what to do about it

By Heather Huhn, licensed independent agent (NPN 19222086) · Updated September 4, 2026 · Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Short version: the extra help that made Marketplace plans cheap from 2021 through 2025 is gone. Most Wyoming families still get a subsidy. People earning above four times the poverty level do not — and in Wyoming that jump is the biggest in the country.

Did the enhanced premium tax credits expire?

Yes. The enhanced premium tax credits from the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act ended after December 31, 2025. Congress has voted on extensions and none has become law as of September 2026. For 2026 the Marketplace runs on the original Affordable Care Act subsidy rules.

What is the 400% cliff?

Under the original rules, a household earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level pays a capped share of its income for a benchmark silver plan and the tax credit covers the rest. Above 400%, there is no credit at all — you pay full price. From 2021 through 2025 the enhanced credits removed that line. In 2026 it is back.

Why is Wyoming hit harder than any other state?

Because Wyoming has the second-highest full-price premiums in the nation, so losing the credit costs more here than anywhere else. KFF’s state-by-state analysis puts a 60-year-old Wyoming resident earning about $63,000 — just over 400% of poverty — at roughly $22,452 more per year for the same coverage, the largest increase of any state. Teton County had one Marketplace carrier for 2026, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming, and enrollment in the county fell 16%, three times the national drop.

Who is still protected?

Most people. In 2026, 87% of Wyoming Marketplace enrollees receive a premium tax credit; the average net premium is about $88 a month and 42% pay under $23 a month. If your household income is under about four times the poverty level, the base subsidy still does most of the work. The cliff hits the people just above the line — in Jackson Hole, that is a lot of self-employed people, early retirees and seasonal-business owners.

What changed on repayment?

The caps on how much excess subsidy you could be asked to repay were removed starting with tax year 2026. If you estimated $60,000 and earned $70,000, you repay the full difference in credit when you file in spring 2027, whatever your income level. Estimate carefully, and update the Marketplace the month your income changes.

What are the dates for 2027 coverage?

  • November 1, 2026 — Open Enrollment starts.
  • December 15, 2026 — last day to enroll for coverage starting January 1.
  • January 15, 2027 — Open Enrollment ends. After that, only a Special Enrollment Period (moving, losing other coverage, marriage, a baby) opens the door.

Plan year 2027 is also expected to be the last year of automatic renewal. Federal rules taking effect for 2028 coverage require eligibility to be verified before any subsidy is paid, so treat every renewal from here on as a fresh application.

What can you actually do?

  • Get the income estimate right. It decides the subsidy and, now, the repayment. Use this year’s expected income, not last year’s return.
  • Check every household member. A spouse with an employer offer, a child eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, a parent turning 65 — each changes the math.
  • If you are over the line, shop by total cost, not premium. Bronze and catastrophic plans became HSA-compatible in 2026, which can offset part of the full-price premium for people who can fund an account.
  • If you are under the line, re-shop anyway. Plans, networks and drug lists change every year. Auto-renewal does not check any of that.
  • Tell the Marketplace the month your income changes. Not at tax time.

Our Coverage Fit Review does all of this in one sitting: subsidy math against your real income, every plan sold in Teton County compared on network and drug fit, enrollment handled, and a person on your file all year. Pick a time or call 307-284-3060.

Questions people ask

Is there still a Marketplace subsidy in Wyoming in 2026?

Yes. The base premium tax credit never went away. In 2026, 87% of Wyoming Marketplace enrollees receive a subsidy and the average net premium is about $88 a month. What ended is the enhanced credit that had extended help above 400% of the federal poverty level and lowered everyone’s share.

How do I know if I am over the 400% line?

For 2026 coverage the line is roughly $63,000 a year for one person and about $85,000 for two, rising with household size. It is based on your expected household income for the year you are covered, not last year’s tax return. One dollar over means no subsidy at all, which is why the estimate matters.

What if my income changes during the year?

Report it to the Marketplace as soon as you know. Repayment caps are gone for tax year 2026: if your income comes in higher than you estimated, the full excess subsidy is repaid at tax time. If it comes in lower, you may be owed money. A mid-year update keeps the number honest in both directions.

Do I need a broker to sort this out?

No. You can enroll yourself at HealthCare.gov, and navigators at Enroll Wyoming can help. A local independent broker looks at the same plans, checks the subsidy math against your real income, enrolls you cleanly, and stays on your file when your income or household changes. Your premium is the same either way — compensation is carrier-paid.

Sources

This page is general information, not tax or legal advice. Subsidy reconciliation is handled on your federal tax return; talk to your CPA about your own numbers. Huhn Insurance is a licensed independent insurance agency, not the government, and not affiliated with the Health Insurance Marketplace.