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Rising premiums are pushing consumers to reconsider coverage but going without it comes with real risks

• Rising health insurance premiums are pushing more Americans to question whether they can afford to keep coverage or go without it entirely.

• Online searches for cheap and lower-premium plans are surging, signaling growing financial strain and shifting consumer behavior.

• Experts warn that going uninsured can come with penalties in some states and serious financial risks, but there may still be ways to lower costs and stay covered.

As health insurance premiums climb, more consumers are starting to ask a question that once felt unthinkable: Can I afford to go without coverage altogether?

New data from healthinsurance.org suggests this isnt just a passing concern its part of a broader shift in how people are responding to higher costs.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Louise Norris, a health policy analyst at healthinsurance.org, who explained that these trends reflect mounting financial pressure but also some confusion about what going uninsured actually means. While skipping coverage might seem like a way to save money in the short term, there are still potential penalties in some states and significant financial risks if something goes wrong.

The current state of the health care market

The report from healthinsurance.org found that there has been a recent surge in search terms like "cheap health insurance" and "catastrophic health insurance."

This is indicative of a market where people are struggling with the premiums they have to pay to maintain their coverage, Norris said. The expiration of federal subsidy enhancements caused sticker shock that people began to experience last fall when they got their renewal notices for their Marketplace coverage.

Search interest in these terms has continued to grow sharply in early 2026, which could stem from the fact that nearly 9 million people let their Marketplace coverage auto-renew for 2026. Some of these enrollees might not have been aware of how much their net premiums would increase in 2026, leading to increased search interest for lower-cost coverage after the start of the year.

Driving premiums higher

Over the next several weeks, health insurance plans will be filing their proposed rates and plans for 2027 coverage. What does this mean for the future?

We haven't yet seen the proposed rates that carriers will be filing, Norris said. So a lot remains to be seen, but we do know that the individual market has a smaller overall risk pool this year, and that's expected to shrink even more once we see effectuated enrollment numbers.

And in general, it tends to be healthier people who are most likely to drop their coverage when premiums rise, leaving a smaller, less healthy pool of insureds. Over time, this will tend to drive premiums higher.

Penalties for going uninsured

For those who opt to go without health insurance, there could be consequences. Many states will leave consumers with a financial penalty for being uninsured.

Norris broke it all down:

There is a penalty in New Jersey, DC, Massachusetts, California, and Rhode Island, she said. But California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts all offer state-funded subsidies, in addition to federal subsidies, to make coverage more affordable. And DC has a Basic Health Program for residents with income up to 200% of the federal poverty level.

So in general, most of the states that have a penalty for being uninsured are also states that have worked to make coverage more accessible to people. All of these states have had penalties for at least several years now, so most residents are likely aware that health coverage is part of the state tax return.

Advice for Marketplace enrollees

For those who currently have Marketplace coverage and are struggling to keep up with payments but dont want to go uninsured, you have options.

It's important to understand that contributions to a pre-tax retirement account and/or an HSA (if you have HSA-eligible coverage, which now includes all Bronze and Catastrophic plans) will reduce household income, potentially making [you] eligible for larger subsidies or helping avoid the subsidy cliff, Norris said.

The hidden grocery bill draining your wallet every week

• Americans waste about $728 a year on food, often throwing away everyday items like bread, milk, and produce.

• Most people misunderstand date labels best by usually refers to quality, not safety, leading to unnecessary waste.

• Simple habits like meal planning, checking your fridge, and freezing food can quickly cut waste and save hundreds.

With Stop Food Waste Day right around the corner on April 29th, its a good time to take a closer look at one of the most overlooked ways Americans are losing money.

Its not subscriptions. Its not those impulse buys. Its food theyre throwing away.

According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American wastes about $728 worth of edible food every year. For a typical household, that number can easily climb into the thousands.

And much of it comes down to a simple misunderstanding.

The biggest mistake shoppers are making

Most people believe food date labels tell them when something is no longer safe to eat.

But it turns out labels like best by or best if used by are more about quality and freshness, not safety. The only major exception is infant formula.

Still, a recent survey found that 73% of Americans think these dates mean food should be thrown out, and that number jumps to 88% among Gen Z.

This translates into perfectly good food getting tossed in huge numbers.

Where the money is going

The average household wastes hundreds to thousands of dollars annually.

Large states like California may be throwing away tens of billions of dollars in food each year. Even smaller cities lose millions in edible food.

And its not just obscure items getting tossed. The most commonly wasted foods are everyday staples like:

• Bread
• Lettuce
• Milk
• Chicken

Why its getting worse

Younger shoppers, in particular, are throwing away the most food, with some estimates showing they discard up to 30% of what they buy.

The reason is a mix of these:

• Confusion over food labels
• Overbuying (especially in bulk)
• Poor meal planning
• Busy schedules leading to unused leftovers

In other words, people are buying more than they can realistically use.

How to actually save money (starting this week)

In addition to conducting the survey, NetCredit gave some smart tips that can easily save a family hundreds of dollars per year.

1. Stop trusting the dateuse your senses.Before tossing food, take a few seconds to check it out. Look at the texture and appearance, then give it a good smell. Most foods dont suddenly become unsafe the day after a best by date. Many popular foods like eggs, yogurt, and cheese are safe well beyond the printed date.
2. Plan meals before you shop.Try to plan three to fourmeals for the week and choose ingredients that overlap to cut down on food waste. Also, try to be realistic about your schedule. If you know you wont cook on certain days, dont buy fresh items that depend on it.
3. Check your fridge before buying anything. Before heading to the store, take inventory of what you already have and build meals around it. Create a use first section in your fridge for items that need to be eaten soon so they dont get forgotten.
4. Be careful with bulk buying. Bulk only saves money if you actually use everything. It works best for non-perishables or items you use consistently. If youre unsure that youll finish it before it goes bad, its probably not a deal.
5. Use leftovers strategically. Leftovers dont have to mean eating the same meal twice. Repurposingthem into something new is very smart and reduces waste. For example, try turning roasted chicken into tacos or soup. Think about your second meal before you even cook the first.
6. Freeze more than you think. Freezing can extend the life of many foods, including bread, meat, and pre-cooked meals.

A recent victim recounted her experience on Fidelitys podcast

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Fidelity experts warn that financial are becoming more sophisticated, with criminals using AI, impersonation, and increasingly convincing phishing, text, and voice schemes.

• Consumers of all ages are being targeted, with scammers often creating a sense of urgency or posing as trusted institutions to trick victims into revealing sensitive information.

• Simple precautions such as verifying messages independently, avoiding suspicious links, and enabling multi-factor authentication can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim.

A new episode of Fidelity Investments Money Unscripted podcast is sounding the alarm on a surge in increasingly sophisticated financial , warning consumers that anyone not just the elderly can fall victim.

In the episode, host Ally Donnelly and Fidelitys head of cyber defense, Sean Downey, outline how modern scammers are evolving their tactics, using everything from fake emails and text messages to AI-generated videos and voice impersonations to deceive victims.

are getting smarter and harder to detect

Cybercrime is no longer limited to poorly written phishing emails. According to Fidelitys discussion, scammers now deploy a wide range of tactics, including phishing (fraudulent emails), smishing (text-based ), and vishing (voice calls designed to extract personal information).

The growing use of artificial intelligence has made these schemes more convincing. Messages may appear polished and legitimate, while deepfake audio or video can mimic trusted individuals, increasing the likelihood that victims will comply with requests.

Cyber are everywhere, Fidelity notes in its learning materials, emphasizing the need for consumers to recognize red flags in digital communications.

Anyone can be a target

Contrary to common belief, the podcast highlights that scam victims span all demographics. While older adults are often perceived as the primary targets, younger and tech-savvy individuals are also vulnerable particularly as increasingly rely on urgency and emotional manipulation rather than obvious technical flaws.

Cybercriminals often impersonate trusted institutions, including financial firms, and may claim there is an urgent problem with an account to pressure victims into acting quickly.

Key warning signs

Fidelity experts stress that recognizing common warning signs is critical. Among the biggest red flags:

• Unexpected messages or calls requesting sensitive information

• Urgent language demanding immediate action to avoid financial loss

• Requests for passwords, codes, or account access

• Suspicious links or mismatched web addresses

Even legitimate-looking communications can be fraudulent, especially as scammers use advanced tools to mimic real organizations.

How to protect yourself

The podcast emphasizes simple but effective steps consumers can take to safeguard their finances and personal data:

• Verify communications independently by contacting companies through official channels

• Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources

• Enable multi-factor authentication on financial and personal accounts

• Keep contact information updated to receive legitimate security alerts

Experts also advise slowing down when faced with urgent requests. Taking a moment to verify information can prevent costly mistakes.

If consumers suspect theyve been targeted or compromised, Fidelity recommends acting quickly contacting financial institutions, securing accounts, and reporting the incident to appropriate authorities.