--- title: Cost-sharing Limits for 2026 Plan Years description: The CMS released the maximum ACA cost-sharing limits for 2026. The new limits are a 10.3% increase from 2025. image: https://blog.nisbenefits.com/hubfs/blog-headers/cost-share-limits-b.jpg --- ![Cost-sharing Limits for 2026 Plan Years](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/hubfs/blog-headers/cost-share-limits-b.jpg) # Cost-sharing Limits for 2026 Plan Years - Home - [Employee Benefit News for School, City and County Employers](https://blog.nisbenefits.com) - Cost-sharing Limits for 2026 Plan Years [ Nancy Bushard ](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/author/nancy-bushard) 10/18/2024 [ Health Insurance Solutions](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/topic/health-insurance-solutions), [ Legislative News](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/topic/aca-other-legislative-news) [0 Comments ](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/cost-sharing-limits-2026-plan-years#postComment) 1 Minutes *1 minute read* The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the maximum Affordable Care Act (ACA) cost-sharing limits for 2026. The new limits will be $10,150 for self-only coverage and $20,300 for families. This marks a 10.3% increase from 2025.   ## **Out-of-Pocket Maximum** The ACA mandates annual limits on enrollee cost-sharing for essential health benefits (EHBs), known as the out-of-pocket maximum. Once reached, no further cost-sharing is required for the year. EHBs cover a wide range of services, including emergency care, hospitalization, and prescription drugs. These limits apply to most health plans, with adjustments for inflation made annually by CMS. All enrollee out-of-pocket expenses for EHBs count towards this limit, except premiums and noncovered services. Additionally, plans must include an individual out-of-pocket limit that doesn’t exceed the ACA’s maximum for self-only coverage.   ## **Limits for 2025 and 2026** Starting in 2025, the out-of-pocket maximums are $9,200 for individual coverage and $18,400 for families. In 2026, these increase to $10,150 and $20,300. Employers should annually review their plans to stay within ACA cost-sharing limits. Download the [bulletin](https://blog.nisbenefits.com/hubfs/blog-supporting-docs/bulletin-cost-sharing-limits-2026.pdf) for more details. 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