Federal Judge Strikes Down ACA Marketplace Rule Provisions

On June 12, a federal judge ruled in favor of a coalition arguing that the Trump-Vance administration’s “Marketplace Integrity and Affordability” rule imposes surprise fees, undermines premium subsidies, and creates new barriers for accessing Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage.

This ruling is in response to the stay issued on certain provisions of the 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Final Rule.

The Federal Judge Ruling

Judge Brendan Hurson of the Maryland District Court vacated eight of the rule’s provisions, including:

• A $5 automatic reenrollment fee
• A policy that would have allowed insurers to revoke guaranteed coverage for consumers with past-due premiums
• Several changes tied to enrollment timelines and eligibility checks

Enrollment changes that were vacated include:

• A shortened Open Enrollment Period for the 2027 plan year
• Stricter verification requirements for a Special Enrollment Period
• The elimination of a 60-day window to fix income inconsistencies

Where It All Began

The coalition originally filed a complaint in July 2025 stating that the final rule published by CMS will “cause at least 1.8 million Americans to lose coverage on the ACA’s health insurance Exchanges in 2026 alone and will ultimately result in higher premiums in the long term and higher out-of-pocket costs for the remaining enrollees.”

According to The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS), the rule intended to address rampant fraud on Healthcare.gov.

What This Means For Agents

Agents should be aware of these changes so they can help their clients enroll in ACA plans when the time comes.

Here’s a few things to remember:

• Younger and healthier individuals appear to be exiting the exchanges at a higher rate, causing insurers to leave the ACA market.
• It’s still possible for the government to appeal the decision made by Judge Hurson.

While this ruling halts several controversial changes to ACA enrollment requirements, additional legal challenges could shape the Marketplace in the months ahead.

For now, agents should stay informed about current rules and be prepared to guide clients through any future changes.

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