Health news roundup: Eye-popping insurance costs, flu season begins and Thanksgiving diet tips

Enrollment is now open for Floridians seeking health insurance on the Affordable Care Act Marketplace; however, many consumers will see higher premiums for the coming year.

Nationwide, people enrolled in ACA plans — also called Obamacare — will see their health insurance costs rise by an average of 13% in 2027, according to KFF, a national health policy organization.

Florida Voices for Health, a nonprofit advocacy group, says ACA premiums in Florida will be 10.4% higher on average. Last year, ACA premiums jumped an average of 34% over the previous year, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.

“The increase for this year is relatively modest, 10% to 11%, said Scott Darius, executive director of Florida Voices for Health. “But it’s on top of a 40% increase we saw last year. And that is in the context of people being squeezed on other things, like gas and rent.”

Some popular ACA plans will charge even more. UnitedHealthcare of Florida’s HMO monthly average premium for an individual in 2026 was $825 but will increase to $1,031 monthly, a 25% jump, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida’s average monthly premium for an individual in 2026 was $1,099 and will jump more than 18% next year — to $1,306.

Florida has one of the highest numbers of residents who get their insurance on the ACA marketplace compared to other states, Darius said. “Florida has always been considered one of the ACA’s greatest success stories. Almost every year, we’ve led in sheer numbers.” But, he added: “I anticipate seeing more people drop coverage.”

Nationwide, more people are dropping Obamacare, according to KFF.

The rising costs are the result of a decision by the Trump Administration to allow enhanced premium tax credits for ACA health insurance enrollees to expire. Those tax credits made health insurance more affordable for many people.

There are still tax credits available to lower-income individuals or families, but for middle-income individuals, the loss of subsidies is painful, Darius said. “Those folks are suffering from the loss of the enhanced premium tax credits and the price increases.”

Moreover, the price increases may cause younger or healthier people to drop health insurance, leaving more people with chronic conditions or serious health problems in the insurance pool.

“Just looking at the basic insurance math, it works better when more people are in the risk pool,” Darius said. “The higher concentration of people with chronic conditions in the risk pool is what drives prices up for all of us.”

Florida Voices for Health has called on lawmakers to address insurance unaffordability, noting that people who chose to drop health insurance coverage must live with that insecurity. “That’s the impact of not having coverage,” Darius said. “There are so many people now living on the knife’s edge, knowing one little thing can put them over and bankrupt them.”

For help selecting a health insurance plan, contact CoveringFlorida.org or call 877-813-9115 and ask to speak to a health insurance navigator.

The enrollment period runs through Jan. 15, but anyone who wishes to have coverage as of Jan. 1, 2027, should enroll by Dec. 15.

Flu Hits Florida

Flu season has started unusually early this year, according to the Walgreens Flu Index and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While it’s too early to know if that trend means the flu season will be more severe, Floridians should take note of the early surge of cases.

The Walgreens index shows especially high flu rates in Washington state, California and Florida.

The activity is unusual because flu usually peaks in January or February in Florida. Walgreens reported on Nov. 6 that its pharmacies have dispensed four times more flu antiviral prescriptions this year compared to the same time frame last year.

The CDC reports higher rates of hospitalizations for flu than is typical for this time of year.

The surge may be due to the flu strain H1N1. That strain is covered in the current vaccine; however, it has evolved to include a gene mutation that makes it harder for people to fight off flu symptoms. Several researchers suggest the H1N1 mutation may impact children and young adults more than older adults. That’s worrisome because only about half of U.S. children are vaccinated against flu, according to the CDC.

Other components of this year’s vaccine, however, appear to be well-matched for this year’s outbreaks.

There is still time to get an annual flu vaccine. The vaccine takes about two weeks to trigger full immunity, according to the CDC. If you want to protect yourself for the holidays, get the vaccine now. Most pharmacies offer appointments or you can walk in. Flu vaccination is typically free.

While debates rage in the United States about the value of various vaccines, the CDC still recommends annual flu vaccination for most people ages 6 months or older.

Consumers should also be prepared to seek help from their health care professionals promptly for flu-related symptoms. Antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu or Relenza, if started within one or two days of flu symptoms beginning, can help lessen the severity of the illness and shorten the duration of illness by one or two days. Experts recommend purchasing a 3-in-1 (flu, Covid and RSV) rapid diagnostic test kit to keep at home in case symptoms develop. Those kits typically cost from $15 to $20 and don’t require a prescription.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving Feast Without Overeating

You don’t have to skip traditional Thanksgiving foods even if you’re watching your weight, say experts from the Florida Association of Community Health Centers. The group released some tips to help Floridians enjoy the holiday while adhering to a healthy diet.

The strategies involve portion size, meal planning, physical activity and regular glucose monitoring for people with diabetes.

Here’s how to use those tools:

Select plenty of non-starchy vegetables for your meal. About half your plate should contain foods such as broccoli, carrots, leafy greens, mixed salads and green beans.

About one-quarter of your plate should be lean protein, such as turkey, chicken or fish.

The remainder of the plate can be the carbohydrates that make Thanksgiving yummy, such as mashed or sweet potatoes, rolls or stuffing.

The Community Health Centers experts also suggest these tips:

• Use a smaller plate.
• Start with vegetables.
• Take modest portions of high-carbohydrate dishes.
• Wait before returning for seconds.
• Eat slowly and enjoy the flavors.

People with diabetes should not skip a meal before the feast, which can lead to overeating and make it harder to control blood sugar. Eat balanced meals throughout the day.

As for sweets and drinks, choose wisely. Don’t sample every treat. Choose a modest portion of your favorite treat, such as a slice of pie. Beware that beverages are often a hidden source of added sugar and calories. Consider unsweetened tea, coffee or water.

Finally, get up after dinner. Take a walk or organize some easy games in the yard. Another good option is to participate in your community’s local turkey trot before dinner. Aim for at least 10 minutes of activity sometime on Thanksgiving Day.