Healthcare Worker Insurance Coverage Lagged in 2024

Rising premiums and expiring tax credits forced some workers to manage medical costs with health savings accounts.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Insurance

Gouache-painted illustration of a stethoscope resting on a blank debit card, representing health savings for industry professionals. — Healthcare workers in the U.S. are increasingly managing rising insurance premiums and the loss of federal tax credits by utilizing personal health savings accounts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you worry that rising medical costs will make it harder to afford your health insurance?

Seven percent of U.S. healthcare workers lacked health insurance coverage in 2024, even as family premiums saw a 6 percent increase in 2025. This trend highlights the financial pressure placed on industry professionals as the expiration of ACA premium tax credits coincided with broader marketplace shifts.

Why it matters

Rising medical expenses and the loss of enhanced federal tax credits in 2026 have increased the financial burden on households navigating high out-of-pocket costs. These factors have contributed to a 12 percent decline in marketplace insurance enrollment as families balance their budgets against climbing premiums.

In 2024, 7% of healthcare workers were uninsured, while those with coverage faced average annual contributions of $6,850 toward total premiums of $26,993. Enrollment in marketplace plans subsequently fell by 12% in February 2026.

The players

KFF

An independent organization that tracks national health insurance trends and policy impacts on households.

The details

Workers are increasingly utilizing health savings accounts to manage out-of-pocket medical expenses, which reached $9,000 for some individuals in 2026. To mitigate rising costs, some healthcare providers have turned to reciprocal professional care exchanges. This shift follows the expiration of ACA enhanced premium tax credits, which previously lowered the barriers to maintaining private insurance coverage.

2024: Seven percent of healthcare workers were uninsured.
2025: Family health insurance premiums increased 6 percent.
February 2026: Marketplace insurance enrollment decreased 12 percent.
2026: Some practitioners reported $9,000 in out-of-pocket medical costs.

Money Landscape

The 2026 expiration of ACA enhanced premium tax credits represents a major policy shift that has altered the affordability of marketplace plans. This transition follows a period where federal support had dampened the impact of rising healthcare premiums for millions of households.

Households should review their current health plan premiums and annual contribution requirements following the recent expiration of federal tax credits. Speak with a qualified financial professional to determine if a health savings account can help optimize your budget for potential out-of-pocket expenses.

The takeaway

Financial stability in the healthcare sector is increasingly dependent on managing rising premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Review your current insurance statement to understand your total annual contribution and consider consulting with a professional regarding the tax advantages of your health savings account.