Beginning Saturday, Americans will be able to log into the federal Affordable Care Act exchange and choose their insurance plans for next year.

Nov. 1. has been a key date in the shutdown fight, as Democrats have long argued that if the enhanced federal subsidies aren't renewed by that point, the impact on consumers will be dramatic. Millions of people will see major price hikes on their plans.

Here's what to know ahead of open enrollment:

Premiums are rising despite extended subsidies

Insurers’ rates were submitted and finalized earlier this year, so premiums are locked in, and any deal to extend the enhanced tax credits won’t change those rates.

According to a KFF analysis, 2026 premiums are set to increase 18 percent on average.

The Washington Post, citing internal administration documents, reported the average ObamaCare premiums for the most popular midlevel “Silver” plan will increase 30 percent.

Insurers have cited the expiration of the enhanced tax credits as one reason why premiums are rising, because they anticipate healthy people dropping coverage if it’s too expensive. That would leave a smaller and sicker group of people, who are ultimately more expensive for the insurance company to cover.

But the expected end to enhanced subsidies is not the only reason costs have increased.

Insurers have also cited higher drug prices and hospital costs, as well as overall medical inflation. According to Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California, higher health costs account for 7 percent to 8 percent of the state’s average 10 percent premium increase.

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