Uninsured Rate Climbs to 11.2% for Working Adults, Family Premiums Top $28,000

The uninsured rate for working-age adults in the U.S. rose from 8.9% in 2024 to 11.2% in 2026, a statistically significant increase that left more Americans without coverage[2][3][4]. Simultaneously, employer-sponsored family health insurance premiums reached an average of $28,303 in 2026, marking a 5% increase from 2025[6][7][9][10].

These rising costs and declining coverage mean that more Americans are struggling to afford necessary medical care. The proportion of working-age adults who deferred care due to cost increased from 46% in 2022 to 50% in 2026, impacting their health and financial stability[1][17][18].

What the records show

According to a Commonwealth Fund survey, the uninsured rate for adults aged 19 to 64 grew to 11.2% in 2026 from 8.9% in 2024[2][3][4]. This trend coincided with a decrease in coverage from ACA marketplace and individual markets, which fell from 8.5% in 2024 to 6.4% in 2026[2]. Medicaid enrollment also declined, dropping from 15.5% in 2022 to 13% in 2026[2]. The KFF's annual benchmark health benefits survey reported that average annual premiums for employer-sponsored family health coverage climbed to $28,303 in 2026[6][7][9][10]. Workers' average contribution to these family premiums increased by 9% from 2025, reaching $7,471 annually[8]. This increase in worker contributions significantly outpaced both wage growth, which was 3.7% in 2026, and inflation, recorded at 2.7% during the same period[11][13][14][15].

The timeline

The period between 2022 and 2026 saw consistent increases in healthcare costs and a reduction in insurance coverage for working-age adults. In 2022, 46% of working-age adults reported delaying or skipping medical care due to cost[17]. By 2024, the uninsured rate for this demographic stood at 8.9%[2]. The end of 2025 marked a significant shift with the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits[4][16]. By 2026, the uninsured rate had risen to 11.2%, and half of all working-age adults avoided needed care due to cost[1][2][3][4][5][18]. During this final year, employer-sponsored family premiums saw a 5% jump, while worker contributions increased by 9%[6][8][9].

What changed and for whom

The expiration of pandemic-era policies, such as enhanced ACA tax credits and continuous Medicaid enrollment, contributed to the rising number of uninsured individuals and increased cost burdens for families[4][16]. The decline in ACA marketplace and individual market coverage, alongside a fall in Medicaid enrollment, directly impacted the availability of affordable insurance options[2]. For those with employer-sponsored plans, the disproportionate rise in worker contributions to premiums compared to wage growth and inflation meant a heavier financial strain on household budgets[8][11][12][13][14][15]. This shift forced more working-age individuals to forgo necessary medical treatments, even if they were insured[1][18].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm specific policy proposals from government agencies or healthcare providers aimed at addressing the observed increases in uninsured rates or the rising costs of employer-sponsored health insurance.
We also could not confirm the specific regional variations in these trends across different states or urban versus rural areas.