Patient Choice and Access Act of 2026

Key Points

• This bill would change ACA rules so that health insurance plans sold on the marketplace are no longer required to maintain a network of doctors and hospitals. Starting in 2027, the government could not reject a plan just because it lacks a provider network.
• Plans without networks could let you see any doctor you want, but there is a real risk of balance billing, where doctors charge you more than the insurance pays and you owe the difference out of pocket.
• Insurance companies that sell these network-free plans would be required to clearly explain potential costs and help customers find doctors who accept the plan's payment as the full price.
• The bill's supporters say it would help people in rural or underserved areas where it is hard to find doctors who participate in traditional insurance networks, giving them more flexibility in choosing providers.
• These changes would take effect for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2027, meaning the first enrollees could sign up during the fall 2026 open enrollment period if the bill becomes law in time.