Cheaper, alternative health plans are having a moment, but critics urge caution
Cheaper alternative health plans are gaining popularity as traditional insurance premiums rise. Critics warn that these plans often lack essential coverage and consumer protections, potentially leaving enrollees vulnerable. The debate continues over whether these alternatives help or harm patients in the long run.
- ▪Melanie Miller switched to cheaper plans that do not meet ACA standards after her premium nearly tripled.
- ▪Alternative plans can deny claims with few legal rights for consumers to appeal and are not required to cover essential health benefits.
- ▪Enrollment in marketplace plans has declined by about 20%, with some individuals opting for nonmarketplace individual coverage.
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HealthWatch Cheaper, alternative health plans are having a moment, but critics urge caution .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-healthwatch.jpg'); } By Sarah Kwon May 20, 2026 / 5:00 AM EDT / KFF Health News Add CBS News on Google When Melanie Miller saw that her health insurance premium payment was set to nearly triple to $914 a month this year, she stopped shopping on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.The 59-year-old retired teacher, who recently moved from Ohio to Michigan, now pays $341 a month for a pair of plans, one that covers routine and urgent care and another that pays fixed amounts for hospital stays.
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