UnitedHealth Group ($UNH) said it plans to rebate profits from its Affordable Care Act exchange plans in 2026, according to CEO Stephen Hemsley’s prepared House testimony, as lawmakers weigh whether to extend enhanced ACA premium tax credits.
- Hemsley said UnitedHealthcare will “eliminate and rebate” its ACA exchange profits for 2026, describing the business as a relatively small part of the company’s overall footprint.
- The company said it has about 1 million ACA exchange members and is working with Congress and the administration on rebate details.
- UnitedHealth previously cited “low single digit” margins in its ACA marketplace business.
- UnitedHealth said it raised ACA premiums by about 25% on average for 2026 and exited some markets, expecting enrollment to drop by roughly two-thirds.
Relevant Companies
- UnitedHealth Group ($UNH) – Rebates tied to its ACA exchange plan profitability and ongoing policy debate over premium tax credits.
- Centene ($CNC) – Large ACA exchange exposure; policy changes to subsidies and market dynamics can affect pricing and enrollment.
- Oscar Health ($OSCR) – ACA-focused insurer; subsidy decisions and exchange enrollment trends can affect results.
Editor’s Note: This is a developing story. This article may be updated as more details become available.
