Every year, health insurance carriers that participate in New York’s Marketplace, New York State of Health, submit requests to the Department of Financial Services (DFS) on what they would like to charge for health insurance premiums the following year. See below for template language and instructions for submitting a comment on the proposed 2027 premium […]
Every year, health insurance carriers that participate in New York’s Marketplace, New York State of Health, submit requests to the Department of Financial Services (DFS) on what they would like to charge for health insurance premiums the following year. See below for template language and instructions for submitting a comment on the proposed 2027 premium increases.
Starting five days after the proposed rates are released, consumers have 30 days to submit comments. DFS considers consumer comments to determine the approved premium changes (typically increases) each insurer is allowed. This process, known as prior approval or rate review, is an opportunity for the State to keep premiums affordable for New Yorkers.
This year, New York’s individual market insurance carriers have asked the Department of Financial Services to allow them to increase premiums by an average of 21% in 2027. This increase would force New Yorkers to pay an average of $2,065 more annually, or $172 more monthly, in premiums. HCFANY hopes the State continues its trend of reducing carrier premium increase requests. For the past three years, the State has approved premium increases of 14% in 2024, 13% in 2025, and 7% in 2026.
Up until July 17th, consumers can make their voices heard by weighing in on the prior approval process.
Depending on the carrier, premiums could increase by 1% to 52% in 2027, limiting New Yorkers’ ability to spend on other essentials like groceries, transportation, or housing. Below is a table showing the breakdown by carrier.
Make your voice heard: submit a public comment before July 17th, 2026, sharing how steep premium increases would affect your budget or loved ones. Below are the steps and an example script to submit a public comment online.
- Go to https://myportal.dfs.ny.gov/web/prior-approval/submit-a-comment.
- Select the following in the drop-down boxes. This information can be found on your insurance card or plan letter notice.
- The type of plan you have
- Insurance company
- Whether you are on an Individual or group policy
- Fill in your First Name, Last Name, and Contact Information (select one of three options: Email, Address, or Phone number)
- Write a Comment (Use the example script below if you need help!)
- Comments can be very short and direct. Every comment helps demonstrate that another member will be harmed if the Department approves the carrier’s current request.
“[insert your carrier’s name] is asking for a [insert from table] % premium increase, which means an annual premium increase of [insert from table]. I cannot afford this. Back-to-back increases in premiums are absurd.
I need health insurance to [insert a reason why you need health care, like affording your prescription drugs, needing to access preventative care, or certain medical services].
At this price, I will be forced to give up [insert reason, such as childcare, groceries, or housing] or forgo health coverage. I urge you to curb these increases and consider how this will impact my family and me.”
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Look out for HCFANY’s comments on each carrier’s rate application in the coming weeks.
