S8, Ep 37- Open Enrollment 2026: What Patients Need to Know

Open enrollment for 2026 is underway — and for millions of Americans managing chronic or rare diseases, understanding your health insurance options is essential. In this episode of The Health Advocates, Steven Newmark breaks down what open enrollment is, what’s new this year, and how to navigate changes in your plan. Drawing from Aimed Alliance’s 2026 Open Enrollment guide, Steven explains key terms like deductibles and out-of-pocket limits, explores what to watch for in your plan’s formulary, and outlines the impact of potential changes to ACA subsidies. Whether you’re reviewing employer coverage or shopping through HealthCare.gov, this episode will help you make informed, patient-centered choices for the year ahead. Listen and learn: What to look for in your 2026 plan How to protect your access to medications and providers Why ACA subsidies and transparency rules matter for affordability Contact Our Host Steven Newmark, Chief of Policy at GHLF: [email protected] A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Director, Digital Production and Engagement at GHLF. We want to hear what you think. Send your comments in the form of an email, video, or audio clip of yourself to [email protected] Listen to all episodes of The Health Advocates on our website or on your favorite podcast channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.