Georgia ACA enrollment drops as subsidy uncertainty drives premium shock

Uncertainty around the Affordable Care Act subsidies expiring has caused people in Georgia to make definitive decisions about their health insurance. 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Georgia’s Affordable Care Act enrollment is down by more than 190,000 policyholders.

Open enrollment ended Dec. 15 for those who want their policy to start on Jan. 1, 2026. However, Georgians have until Jan. 15 to enroll through Georgia Access for coverage that will start Feb. 1, 2026. 

For those autoenrolled, if they do not pay their premiums by April 1, they will be disenrolled from the program.

Premiums are expected to increase by 196% on average, according to the AJC. Analysts have forecasted that Georgia’s program could lose as many as 460,000 policyholders in 2026 due to the sharp increase in premiums. 

As of Dec. 15, 1.3 million people signed up for Georgia Access insurance for 2026, which is lower than last year’s enrollment of 1.5 million people. 111,000 enrollees are new to Georgia Access, according to the AJC.

Georgia Access policyholder Amy Bielawski of Tucker spoke with the AJC about rising premiums.

“I’ve got to pay regular bills,” she said. “I’ve got a $5,000 property tax bill. And $1,000 mortgage insurance. So it’s like, do I want a place to live? That’s kind of where it’s at.”