Major Health Insurance Changes Coming for 2026: What NH Families Should Know
Big changes are coming to health insurance starting with Open Enrollment 2026, which begins November 1, 2025. These updates could affect the cost and availability of coverage for many New Hampshire families — especially those currently relying on federal premium tax credits to make Marketplace plans affordable.
At WanderCARE Pediatrics, we want to help families stay informed — and prepared — so you can make the best decisions for your healthcare in the year ahead.
📈 What’s Changing in 2026
The enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that helped lower premiums for millions of Americans are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress renews them.
Without an extension, many families could see significant premium increases in 2026. National studies estimate that:
Average premiums could rise by 40–60%, depending on income and age.
In New Hampshire, as many as 14,000 people could lose their subsidized marketplace coverage.
An estimated 12,000 additional NH residents may become uninsured.
(Source: Urban Institute, 2025 projections.)
💔 What This Means for Families
If subsidies expire, many households will face tough choices:
Pay much higher monthly premiums for traditional plans,
Switch to catastrophic coverage (low premiums, very high deductibles), or
Go without insurance altogether.
Catastrophic plans can protect against major emergencies, but they don’t cover routine or urgent care well, and families still pay out-of-pocket for most visits until the deductible is met.
🧾 Where WanderCARE Fits In
That’s where direct care can help bridge the gap.
WanderCARE offers transparent, membership-based and per-visit pricing for families who may lose subsidies or opt for catastrophic plans.
Here’s what our patients love:
🏡 House Calls: Personalized care in the comfort of your home.
💻 Telemedicine: Easy, same-day access for common issues.
👩⚕️ In-Office Visits: No waiting rooms, no rushed visits.
💬 Direct Texting: Contact your pediatrician directly — no phone trees or delays.
With flat-rate memberships starting around $50–$150/month, families can maintain access to high-quality, relationship-based care even if insurance costs rise.
💡 How WanderCARE Acts as a Safety Net
If 2026 premiums climb or subsidies disappear, WanderCARE can be a safety net for families caught between unaffordable premiums and underpowered catastrophic plans.
Example:
A NH family of four paying ~$700/month in 2026 premiums could instead combine:
A WanderCARE primary care membership for children (around $1500/year per child, with family discounts), plus
A low-cost catastrophic plan for emergencies (estimated $4200/year versus full coverage plans estimated $8400/year)
This hybrid approach keeps regular pediatric and urgent care accessible, predictable, and affordable — while still providing hospital protection for major events.
Wandercare’s prices are all-inclusive of any in-office testing or procedures. We also have discount pricing for out of office labs and medications!
Uninsured patients will also save money with Wandercare. We offer urgent care memberships starting at $50/month for both kids and adults.
We also offer one time urgent care visits at a lower price than local urgent care centers. See our pricing page for details.
🫶 The Bottom Line
Health insurance in 2026 is expected to look very different for many NH families — but that doesn’t mean care has to become unaffordable or impersonal.
At WanderCARE, we’re building a model that puts relationships, transparency, and access first — whether you’re insured, underinsured, or navigating changes.
📲 Stay Informed, Stay Connected
We’ll continue sharing updates as 2026 Open Enrollment approaches.
For questions or to see how WanderCARE can fit your family’s needs:
📱 Text: 603-506-4919
🌐 Visit: wandercarepediatrics.com
📍 Serving families across the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts
#WanderCARE #DirectPrimaryCare #Pediatrics #NHFamilies #HealthInsurance2026 #SeacoastNH #NoWaitingRoomCare #DrJoBeltre
