Texas ACA enrollment hits record high in 2026, surpassing last year

Newly released data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) show that Texas ACA plan selections have already reached a new record, with 4,113,465 Texans selecting a plan. As of Jan. 3, selections for 2026 plans exceeded last year’s total by nearly 150,000 people, with 12 days still remaining in the open enrollment period.

These numbers stand in contrast to expectations heading into the 2026 open enrollment period. Many projections warned that Texas enrollment would decline sharply, driven largely by the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies and concerns about rising premiums. Despite national headlines emphasizing higher insurance premiums, Texas is in a better position than many states to maintain affordability. In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1296, a state policy that allows Texas to benefit more from federal subsidies than states without similar rules, helping keep both bronze and gold plans more affordable.

Clear and accurate information also matters.

Much of the media coverage focused on rising premiums and the end of enhanced subsidies, concealing the continued availability of free or low-price coverage for many Texans. Our data shows that roughly 3.1 million Texans currently enrolled in ACA plans earn at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, about $30,000 for an individual or $60,000 for a family of four. For 2026, all eligible enrollees in this income range again have access to at least one $0-premium plan.

That said, strong overall enrollment should not shadow the real challenges facing a subset of Texans. Approximately 125,000 2025-plan-year enrollees, those reporting incomes above 400% of the FPL, were disproportionately impacted by recent policy changes and face higher costs. While Texas policymakers have options to improve affordability for these middle-income families, meaningful action will need to wait until the 2027 legislative session.

The record-breaking enrollment reported so far highlights both the strength of the ACA marketplace in Texas and the importance of accurate, timely information for consumers. With open enrollment continuing through Jan. 15, final CMS data will show just how much higher Texas enrollment climbed, and further underscore the central role the ACA continues to play in covering millions of Texans.