Quick Guide to Health Insurance Marketplaces

In Triage Cancer's free Quick Guide to Health Insurance Marketplaces, you'll learn why you should shop in the marketplace, financial assistance, Medicaid, enrollment periods, when your plan will start, how to report changes, and more!

The Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (ACA) created a new way to find and buy private health insurance coverage for individuals and families: State Health Insurance Marketplaces. Originally called “exchanges,” the term “marketplace” refers to a place where you can find health insurance options from private insurance companies. These Marketplaces have been compared to an insurance shopping mall. The Marketplaces for most states are operated by the federal government at HealthCare.gov or 800-318-2596. Some states run their own Marketplaces. For example, if you live in California, you should access your Marketplace through CoveredCA.com. For other State-run Marketplaces, visit HealthCare.gov/marketplace-in-your-state.

Why Should You Shop Through the Marketplace?

There are real benefits to shopping for coverage through the Marketplace.

• Out-of-pocket Maximum: For 2026, Marketplace plans cannot have an out-of-pocket maximum more than $10,600 for an individual and $21,200 for a family. This cap is higher than it has been in previous years, but is still lower than some employer plans, which can have higher out-of-pocket maximums. Also, out-of-pocket maximums for all Marketplace plans must include everything you spend for deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance for in-network providers.
• Standardized Plans: Plans sold through the Marketplace are standardized by their level of cost-sharing:
  • Bronze plans have a 60/40 cost-share, meaning that the insurance company pays for 60% of your medical expenses and you are responsible for 40% of your medical expenses. Bronze plans generally have the lower monthly premiums, but higher out-of-pocket costs.
  • Silver plans have a 70/30 cost-share.
  • Gold plans have an 80/20 cost-share.
  • Platinum plans have a 90/10 cost-share, with higher monthly premiums, but lower out-of-pocket costs.
• Financial Assistance: Based on your projected income level for the next year, you may qualify for one or both forms of financial assistance. You may receive “premium tax credits,” which lower your monthly premium based on the plan you chose. And, “cost-sharing subsidies” can lower co-payment amounts, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts.

How Do You Qualify for Marketplace Financial Assistance?

The amount of financial assistance that you may qualify for is based on your household size and income level. Your household can include the following people:

• Your spouse, if you are currently married.
• Dependent children, including adopted and foster children, of any age.
• Children whose custody you have shared with someone else, only during the years you have claimed them as tax dependents.
• Non-dependent children under 26, if you want to cover them in your Marketplace plan.
• Children under 21 who you take care of and live with you, even if you do not claim them as tax dependents.
• Dependent parents, siblings, or other relatives, if you claim them as tax dependents.

Learn more about who to include in your household

Your income level is measured by your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). It can be helpful to have IRS form 1040 handy while calculating your MAGI:

• Step 1: Calculate your gross income by adding together your various forms of income, including your salary or wages, rental and royalty income, business income, farm income, unemployment, and alimony received.
• Step 2: Calculate your adjusted gross income by subtracting qualified deductions.
• Step 3: Calculate your MAGI by adding in any foreign earned income and housing costs for qualified individuals, tax-exempt income, and monthly Social Security benefits.

Learn more about MAGI

Expanded Medicaid:

These states have expanded access to Medicaid under the ACA, providing coverage for people with household incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV.

If you live in a state with expanded Medicaid:

• Household income up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL): You have access to Medicaid.
• Household income between 138-250% FPL: You have access to premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies (if you pick a silver health insurance plan).
• Household income under 150% FPL: You are eligible for a Marketplace plan for less than $10 per month.
• Household income between 250-400% FPL: You have access to premium tax credits.

If you live in a state without expanded Medicaid (AL, FL, GA, KS, MS, SC, TN, TX, WI, WY):

• Household income between 100- 138% FPL: You have access to cost-sharing subsidies (silver plans only).
• Household income between 138- 250% FPL: You have access to premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies (if you pick a silver health insurance plan).
• Household income between 250-400% FPL: You have access to premium tax credits.

Note: the FPL numbers for the current year are used to determine Medicaid eligibility. The FPL numbers for the previous year are used to determine Marketplace financial assistance.

When Can You Buy a Marketplace Plan?

Although Medicaid applications are accepted all year round, there are two Marketplace enrollment periods: the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) and the Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Starting in the Fall of 2026 for the 2027 plan year, the Marketplace OEP will be from November 1, 2026, through December 15, 2026. The earlies plans can begin is January 1. States that run their own Marketplace may extend open enrollment to December 31, 2026. Visit your state's marketplace for more information.

When you lose coverage or have a life-changing event, you may qualify for a SEP. You can enroll in a Marketplace plan through a 60-day SEP, for reasons that include:

• Loss of health insurance
  • Losing employer-sponsored coverage (including end of COBRA)
  • Losing eligibility for Medicaid, Medicare, or CHIP
  • Losing coverage through a family member
• Changes in residence
  • Moving to a new ZIP code or county
  • Student moving to/from school
• Changes in household
  • Marriage (chose plan by last day of month and coverage will start first day of next month)
  • Birth of a baby, adoption of a child, or placement of a child in foster care (coverage starts day of event, even if you enroll in plan up to 60 days later)
  • Divorce or legal separation (if this results in losing health insurance)
  • Death of someone on your Marketplace plan

Note: You may have other options if you lose employer-sponsored health insurance coverage. For details, watch our Animated Video on Options When You Lose Your Insurance at Work, or read our Quick Guide to Options When Losing Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance.

When Does a Marketplace Plan Start?

Open enrollment: if you enroll by December 15, in most states, your coverage will begin on January 1.

Special enrollment: if you are losing coverage in the next 60 days or lost coverage in the last 60 days:

• If your coverage ends mid-month, and you pick a plan before the 1st of the month in which your coverage ends, your plan will be effective 1st day of the month in coverage ends; or
• If you pick a plan after the 1st of the month your coverage ends, it will start the 1st of the following month
• If you pick a plan after your coverage ends, it will start the 1st of the month in which you pick a plan

How Do You Report Changes to the Marketplace?

Changes in your income, household members, name or other identifying information, and status (disability, tax filing, citizenship/immigration, etc.) should be reported to the Marketplace. There are three ways to report these changes:

• Update your application online: By logging into your HealthCare.gov account, selecting your application, clicking “Report a Life Change,” and following the prompts, you can update your application immediately.
• Update your application by phone: Contact the Marketplace at 800-318-2596.
• Update your application with in-person help

Triage Cancer Tools to Help You Pick a Health Insurance Plan

Triage Cancer offers a series of animated videos that describe key issues that people need to understand to effectively navigate cancer-related legal and practical issues, as well as manage the financial burden of a cancer diagnosis. These videos cover topics related to health insurance, employment, disability insurance, estate planning, clinical trials, cancer survivorship care plans, and more.

Watch the videos at: TriageCancer.org/AnimatedVideos

Triage Cancer Tools: Health Insurance Comparison Worksheet

For more information, visit our Health Insurance Materials & Resources, and CancerFinances.org.

Last updated: 01/2026

Disclaimer: This handout is intended to provide general information on the topics presented. It is provided with the understanding that Triage Cancer is not engaged in rendering any legal, medical, or professional services by its publication or distribution. Although this content was reviewed by a professional, it should not be used as a substitute for professional services. © Triage Cancer 2021-2026

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