Health insurance premiums in Vermont could surge in 2026, placing new pressure on families, small businesses, and the broader economy. However, the proposed rate hikes occur at a time when the entire healthcare system is under significant financial stress, and the decisions made this summer could shape Vermont’s healthcare future for years to come.
What You Can Do: Share Your Story by July 28
Now more than ever, the Green Mountain Care Board needs to hear how rising healthcare costs are impacting real Vermonters—families, employers, and employees alike.
Tell the Board how you or your business would be affected by another double-digit increase in premiums. Your voice can help shape the path forward.
How to Submit a Public Comment by July 28th:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (802) 828-2177
What’s Happening Now
Vermont’s two major health insurers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Care, have filed requests to raise premiums starting in January 2026:
- BCBSVT is seeking a 23.3% increase for individuals and a 13.7% for small businesses
- MVP is proposing a 6.2% increase for individuals and a 7.5% for small businesses
These increases are not yet final. The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) will hold public hearings in late July and is accepting public comments until Monday, July 28.
Why It Matters—Especially to Employers
Health insurance is one of the largest and fastest-growing expenses for Vermont employers, especially small businesses. If the proposed rate hikes move forward:
- Employers may need to shift more costs to workers.
- Some may be forced to reduce coverage or drop it altogether.
- Recruiting and retaining talent will get even harder in a tight labor market.
Deeper Challenges: The Healthcare System Is Under Strain
This year’s legislative session focused heavily on healthcare, largely due to the system’s worsening instability. Despite legislative reforms during the last legislative session, Vermont’s healthcare outlook remains fragile. Regulators warn that without deep structural change, the state could see higher premiums, fewer services, and more uninsured residents.
- Nearly half of Vermont’s hospitals are considered highly vulnerable to closure.
BCBSVT warned of potential insolvency without $200 million in spending cuts - Federal premium subsidies expire this December, meaning that families and individuals without employer or public health insurance may see big increases in the amount they need to pay for insurance.
- Vermont could see over 45,000 people lose Medicaid if federal policies change