SALEM, Ore. - As people in Oregon prepare to welcome in the new year, now is the time to make sure you and your family have the health coverage you need. Health insurance provides access to essential services—such as preventive care, routine checkups, prescriptions and protection from unexpected medical costs—helping you begin 2026 with confidence and peace of mind. 

“Many people in Oregon still qualify for financial help that significantly lowers the cost of health insurance through OregonHealthCare.gov,” said Chiqui Flowers, director of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “With enhanced premium tax credits set to expire at the end of this month unless Congress takes action, we want people to make the most of the savings available this year and avoid surprises.”  

Why open enrollment matters more than ever in 2026 

1. Financial assistance is still available—and may change next year 

During open enrollment period for 2025, the vast majority of people in Oregon who enrolled through OregonHealthCare.gov qualified for financial help. In 2025, 80 percent of Marketplace enrollees received financial assistance to lower their monthly premiums. Though the amount of financial help people may qualify for is decreasing, this financial help is still available to many.

Enhanced premium tax credits—which have kept premiums lower for many families since 2021—are scheduled to end after 2025 unless extended by the U.S. Congress. The Window Shopping tool at OregonHealthCare.gov can help households estimate how these changes will affect their 2026 premium. 

2. Plans still cover comprehensive benefits 

All plans sold through OregonHealthCare.gov cover essential health benefits such as: 

• Preventive services (annual checkups, screenings, vaccinations)
• Mental and behavioral health care
• Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care
• Gender-affirming care
• Prescription drugs
• Emergency and hospitalization services 

3. Every person in Oregon has multiple trusted private plan options 

Consumers can compare plans side by side, matching coverage to their providers, prescriptions and costs using the OregonHealthCare.gov Window Shopping tool.

“Marketplace plans aren’t one-size-fits-all,” Flowers said. “People can choose from a range of private health insurance options across the state. It gives individuals control over their care and their budgets.”

This year, every individual in Oregon can choose from five health insurance companies offering at least 37 plan options statewide. 

4. Beware of imposter sites 

Financial help is only available through the official Marketplace website. Always start at OregonHealthCare.gov and make sure any website you use ends in “.gov.”

“We continue to see third-party websites misleading consumers into plans that don’t offer full benefits or financial help,” Flowers warned. “Start at OregonHealthCare.gov to protect your personal information.” 

Help is available

If you are offered insurance through an employer, visit orhim.info/ESIcoverage to check whether it is considered affordable. If not, you may qualify for Marketplace savings. 

OregonHealthCare.gov partners with health coverage experts who provide free, local help in multiple languages. Insurance agents can even recommend a plan. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to connect with an expert. 

Start 2026 with peace of mind 

This season, remind friends and family to review their coverage and explore affordable private health insurance options at OregonHealthCare.gov. “We’re here to help you start 2026 covered—and start the year with peace of mind,” said Flowers.  

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The Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, a part of state government, helps people get health insurance when they do not have job-based coverage, and do not qualify for a public program like Oregon Health Plan (OHP), OHP Bridge, or another program. The Marketplace is the state-level partner to HealthCare.gov. For more information, go to OregonHealthCare.gov.