Maybe you’ve caught yourself saying: “I’m healthy – I don’t need that massive premium.” Or you skipped the full-service plan assuming you won’t use it. Either way, lately your insurance cost is creeping up, and suddenly you’re wondering whether you should actually budget for it like rent or groceries.
The reality is that a big jump in healthcare premiums isn’t a theory anymore. It’s happening, and it will hit your budget soon.
What’s happening?
On the marketplace side (via the individual plans you buy if you’re self-employed or your employer doesn’t cover you), the standard “silver” plans sold through HealthCare.gov are set to increase by about 30% next year, according to filings reviewed by the Washington Post (The Washington Post, October 24 2025).
With employer-sponsored plans, the average annual premium for family coverage in 2025 reached nearly $27,000, with workers paying on average $6,850 of that (Reuters).
Analysts estimate the median proposed increase for 2026 marketplace plans is around 18% nationally, a big jump over prior years (Commonwealth Fund, September 30 2025).
What could this mean for you? Your health-plan line item might be shifting from “nice to have” to “must-budget.”
Why it matters now
You’re handling rent or a mortgage, a student loan or two, the cost of groceries and gas, maybe even a dog daycare – you know, the overall cost of just living life in 2025. Health insurance has always been a “must” item – but now it’s more like a rising fixed cost you need to treat like utility bills.
Premiums rising means your paycheck has to stretch further. That’s less money for weekend travel, savings, or that emergency fund.
Selecting the cheaper plan doesn’t guarantee you’re safe. Higher deductibles, smaller networks, and fewer benefits might mean you pay more when life happens.
Five things you can do now
1) Review your coverage during open enrollment.
Even if you like your plan now, rates are set to go up (especially if you’re on a marketplace plan). Don’t assume “same plan” means “same cost.”
2) Budget your health-premium cost like you would rent or a savings goal.
If you expect your premium to go up 20-30%, break that number down by month or week and let Piere treat it like a regular expense. Automate moving a little aside so when your bill hits, you’re ready.
3) Choose what matters to you.
Are you okay with a higher deductible if you rarely use care? Or would it stress you out? Think about your health history, your financial cushion, and your peace of mind, not just the lowest premium.
4) Create a “health-expense buffer”.
Just like you automate savings for “fun money,” automate a buffer account. If you know premiums will hit hard, deposit a little upfront monthly. That way, when rates go up, you aren’t caught off guard.
5) Factor health-cost changes into major life moves.
Changing jobs, relocating, going freelance – these all affect your insurance. Include the estimated premium shift in your decision, not just salary or commute.
Why Piere matters here
You already use Piere to automate savings and align spending with goals. Now it’s time to include the premium line in your money system. Piere can help your wallet anticipate these shifts, and automate deposits that will prepare you in the long-run. Instead of “I hope I won’t get sick,” you’ll say “I’ve got a plan for how to pay for this.”
The takeaway
Health-insurance premiums are rising fast. But you’re not helpless. You won’t necessarily escape the cost – but you can control how it fits into your life. Automate savings. Review your plan annually. Treat the cost like a regular expense, not an afterthought.
You don’t need to panic, but you do need to prepare. With a tool like Piere, you’re not just managing money, you’re managing what comes next.