Individual plans, rates, at-a-glance brochures and tip sheets for 2026 are now available on Blue on Demand.
Now available:
- Individual & Family Qualified Health Plans
- Blue Select Stand-Alone Dental Plans
2026 Plan Highlights:
Our 2026 plan updates are aimed at broadening the definition of health and making care more accessible and equitable than ever before. Let’s take a look at what’s new for 2026:
- Reminder! Open Enrollment Start and End Dates
Open enrollment for new enrollments starts on November 1 this year on and off exchange and runs through January 31, 2026. Existing members can make plan changes and update eligibility starting November 16.
- NEW! Silver Qualified Health Plan
For 2026, members can choose our new HSA qualified non-standard plan – Silver Select 2 (not available in Delaware, Herkimer, Oneida and Otsego Counties).
- NEW! Stand-alone Dental Plan
For 2026, members can complement their medical coverage with our new Blue Select Standard Adult Dental Plan.
- NEW! Virtual Care Option for 2026
Members can save time and travel with the convenience of Teledermatology in partnership with MDLIVE® available 24/7/365, even on holidays.
- NEW! HSA Eligible Plans
In 2026, all Bronze Qualified Health Plans will be HSA eligible.
- Update! Retired Plans
Qualified Health Plans without pediatric dental will be retired for 2026. Members will be automatically mapped to the same QHP with pediatric dental. CNY Preferred Silver and CNY Preferred Gold will be retired for 2026. Members will be mapped to Silver Select or Gold Select.
- Reminder! Coverage Effective Dates
Since January of 2025, NY State of Health has made the coverage effective date for Special Enrollment Periods with no other specific effective date the first of the month following plan selection, with an earlier effective date at the option of NY State of Health. This change removed the 15th of the month rule used to determine the coverage effective date and aligned the NY State of Health and Federal Exchange policies.
- Reminder! ThriveWell℠
Introduced in 2024, ThriveWell, our health and wellbeing benefit in partnership with Personify Health, allows members to focus on what matters to them most. Centered on the whole person, members can work on improving their eating and sleeping habits, as well as their physical activity. They can earn up to $200 or $400 a year in Rewards Cash for completing a Health Risk Assessment and by earning reward points through healthy activities.
ThriveWell is included with our Qualified Health Plans and the Essential Plan. The spouse/domestic partner benefit is only available with Qualified Health Plans.
Personify Health is a separate company and offers a digital wellbeing service on behalf of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
- Reminder! Eligibility Changes for DACA Recipients
Since August of 2025, DACA recipients are no longer eligible for QHP tax credits.
- Pending Changes! Expanded Tax Credits Set to Expire
The expanded tax credits that were available to individuals under the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act are set to expire on December 31, 2025. This will result in tax credit eligibility once again being capped at 400% of the Federal Poverty Limit. This change will have the biggest impact on premiums for members who have incomes above 400% FPL whose tax credits are set to expire.
- Pending Changes! 2026 Eligibility for Tax Credits
In 2026, there may be changes to the requirements to repay excess Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs), changes that prevent APTCs from being provided to most immigrants, and changes to APTC eligibility for enrollees whose citizenship status is in doubt. Also, new federal rules may limit eligibility for tax credits under certain Special Enrollment Periods starting in 2026. We will share more information on these pending changes as it becomes available.
Our Safety Net and Individual Market Sales Team is ready to assist you during the upcoming 2026 Open Enrollment Period. Should you have a client who is not eligible for an employer group plan, Medicare or Qualified Health Plan offerings, we are here to support you with alternative coverage options including the Essential Plan and NY State sponsored plans for children.
Log in to the Broker Portal to access Blue on Demand. Please contact your account consultant with questions.
