JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance (DCI) has released preliminary information about the health insurance plans and premiums for the State of Missouri for the individual market (health insurance plans for people who don’t get their insurance from an employer) and the small group market (small businesses with 2-50 employees) for plan year 2026.
DCI is currently reviewing all the information the companies have filed to ensure that rate changes are justified and that the plans comply with State and Federal regulations. DCI is seeking public comments before final rates are published. Missourians can access the proposed rates, find more information about the rate review process, and provide comments on the department’s website https://insurance.mo.gov/health-insurance/health-insurance-rate-filings-2026-plan-year. Public comments will be accepted through Sept. 2, 2025. Department staff will complete reviews of the proposed rates, and final rates will be posted no later than Oct. 31, 2025.
“This year has been more difficult than usual for companies establishing their health insurance rates,” said DCI Director Angela Nelson. “Significant changes at the Federal level during a time when companies were already working on their rates for plan year 2026 have introduced a lot of uncertainty. The situation is still fluid, and continued discussions at the Federal level may further impact the rate filings.”
The initial review of the insurance company filings for 2026 indicates that, in the individual market, at least two health insurers offer plans both on and off the exchange in every county across the state. With nine insurance companies continuing to offer coverage in Missouri, consumers will have a range of health plans to choose from. For the Small Group Market in 2026, five insurance companies will be offering plans off the exchange. While rates are not final until October, Missourians should expect to see premium increases for many of the individual market plans as well as changes to coverage areas and networks.
Under the state’s rate review law, rates are filed for all health insurance products sold in Missouri. However, today’s release of rate information only includes rates for Affordable Care Act compliant major medical plans with effective dates of Jan.1, 2026, or later. For all other health products, those rates will be made publicly available through the department’s website, as they are filed and reviewed by department staff in accordance with Missouri law.