Health insurance (ACA)
ACA Metal Levels Explained: Bronze to Platinum
ACA metal levels explained: what bronze, silver, gold, platinum and catastrophic plans pay, actuarial value, and how to weigh premium against deductible.
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Health insurance (ACA)
Health plans sold on the ACA Marketplace come in metal levels, and many households qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers the monthly price. These guides and live tools, built on public CMS data from HealthCare.gov, explain open enrollment, subsidies and cost-sharing reductions, and let you compare real plans in your county.
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Health insurance (ACA)ACA Open Enrollment Dates for 2026 and 2027
ACA open enrollment dates for 2026 and 2027: HealthCare.gov runs November 1 to January 15. Start dates, state exchange rules and the court ruling.
Health insurance (ACA)ACA Premium Tax Credit: How Subsidies Work in 2026
How the ACA premium tax credit works in 2026 and 2027: the 400% FPL limit is back, benchmark silver plan, expected contribution and Form 8962 repayment.
Health insurance (ACA)ACA Special Enrollment Periods: Rules and Deadlines
ACA special enrollment period rules for 2026: qualifying life events, 60-day deadlines, documents to send, and what happened to the low-income SEP.
Health insurance (ACA)Cost-Sharing Reductions Explained: Silver 73, 87, 94
Cost-sharing reductions explained: who qualifies (100% to 250% of FPL), the 73, 87 and 94 silver plan variants, 2027 limits, and why you must pick silver.
Tools: Health insurance (ACA)
Insurance calculators and tools →- ACA Plan Finder: Compare Marketplace Plans by ZIPFree ACA plan finder: enter your ZIP code, income and ages to compare Marketplace plans with prices before and after the tax credit, using CMS data.
- ACA Subsidy Calculator: Estimate Your Tax CreditFree ACA subsidy calculator using official CMS data: estimate your premium tax credit, cost-sharing reduction and Medicaid or CHIP eligibility by ZIP.
- Federal Poverty Level Calculator: Income as % of FPLFederal poverty level calculator: see your income as a percentage of FPL and what it means for Medicaid, ACA tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.
Common questions about health insurance (aca)
What is the ACA Marketplace?
It is the place to shop for individual and family health plans created by the Affordable Care Act. Most states use HealthCare.gov; some states run their own marketplace website. Plans there must cover essential health benefits and cannot turn you down for pre-existing conditions.
Who can get a premium tax credit?
Many people who buy a Marketplace plan and are not offered affordable job-based coverage or eligible for Medicaid or Medicare can get a credit that lowers the monthly premium. The amount depends on household income, family size and local plan prices. Our subsidy calculator uses the official CMS estimate.
What do the metal levels mean?
Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum show how you and the plan split costs on average, not the quality of care. Bronze plans have lower premiums and higher costs when you get care; Gold and Platinum are the opposite. Silver plans unlock extra cost-sharing reductions for lower incomes.
When can I sign up for an ACA plan?
Mostly during the yearly open enrollment period, or within a special enrollment period after a qualifying life event such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage or having a baby. Our open enrollment guide lists the current dates and checks them against HealthCare.gov.
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