Starting from Saturday (November 1st), registration for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), popularly known as Obamacare, has begun, lasting for 11 weeks. During this period, individuals can purchase health insurance through this program.
People with income at or below a certain level may reduce their premiums due to subsidies provided by the federal government in the form of tax credits.
Here is some relevant information about healthcare in the United States and how to start looking for health insurance.
Most states have already opened enrollment for Obamacare, with the deadline set for January 15th. However, if you wish for your insurance to take effect from the first day of the new year, registration must be completed before December 15th.
After the open enrollment period ends, individuals can only register in the event of major life events that qualify for enrollment, such as loss of insurance, job changes, marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.
According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), over 24 million people enrolled in Marketplace plans (government-established health insurance marketplace platform) in 2025.
Families within certain income ranges are eligible for tax credits to reduce their Marketplace plan premiums. Individuals with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty line may qualify for this subsidy.
Those with incomes below this range may qualify for Medicaid (healthcare assistance, commonly known as the “white card”).
The federal poverty line standard is determined based on family size and is adjusted annually. The 2025 poverty line standard is used to determine eligibility for 2026 health insurance assistance. For example, a family of four with an annual income not exceeding $128,600 may qualify for premium tax credits in 2026.
Those interested in purchasing health insurance can visit the Healthcare.gov website before enrolling to check if they qualify for premium tax credits.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress expanded premium tax credits to include higher-income groups and provide additional assistance to some families already receiving subsidies. These enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025.
Data from KFF indicates that insurance companies are increasing average premiums for Marketplace benchmark plans by 26%, with some customers facing deductible increases of over 100%.
Benchmark plans (commonly known as silver plans) are in the middle tier of the three options. However, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), most customers’ premiums will remain low, and some may even decrease.
It is projected that in 2026, premium tax credits will cover 91% of the costs for the lowest-priced plans (typically bronze plans), up from the temporary 85% implemented in 2020 before the enhanced subsidies.
In 2026, after deducting premium tax credits, the average enrollee is expected to pay only $50 per month for health insurance. This is an increase of around $13 from 2025, but still lower than in 2020.
Nationally estimated, approximately 60% of enrollees can purchase their chosen insurance plans for $50 per month after receiving subsidies.
In 2025, the average monthly cost of employer-sponsored health insurance is close to $2,250, with employees paying around $570 per month.
According to the Marketplace website, individuals with 2025 health insurance plans can continue using their insurance and medical services during the government shutdown period. Those without Marketplace plans can apply through the website.
The dispute over enhanced premium tax credits was a key issue that led to the government shutdown starting on October 1st. There are rumors suggesting that these enhanced subsidies may be extended for at least another year. Democrats propose making these subsidies permanent, but Republicans argue that significant reforms are needed to prevent abuse of the system. These negotiations between both parties cannot take place during the government shutdown.
According to data from the Paragon Health Institute, approximately 6.1 million people have received fully subsidized health insurance. However, based on income standards, they may not actually qualify, leading taxpayers to spend around $27 billion to cover these additional subsidies.
Insurance experts advise against waiting for the enhanced subsidies dispute to be resolved before enrolling. If the subsidy ultimately gets extended, enrollees still have the opportunity to modify their choices.
Registration can be done through the Marketplace website. Some states operate their own Marketplace platforms, while others use the federally operated Marketplace.
The Marketplace website is a reliable gateway for finding Marketplaces in any state or starting the registration process using the federal Marketplace.
Insurance experts recommend considering factors other than premiums when choosing insurance. These factors include required deductibles and copayments, whether preferred doctors are within the insurance company’s network, and which prescription drugs are covered.
For individuals needing help with the registration process or having questions, assistance can be obtained through the Marketplace website in two ways.
The first way:
Contact assisters via email or phone. These assisters are trained and certified by the Marketplace to help individuals enroll in Marketplace health insurance plans or apply for free or low-cost insurance through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Assisters’ services are free and they must provide impartial, accurate information.
The second way:
Allow insurance brokers or agents to contact you. These brokers or agents are trained and certified to sell Marketplace health insurance plans. They can answer questions and help individuals enroll in the insurance plans they offer. By enrolling through brokers or agents, eligible enrollees can still receive premium tax credits.
It’s important to note that they may not represent all insurance plans on the Marketplace and cannot assist with Medicaid or CHIP enrollment. Their commissions are paid by the insurance companies they represent.
According to information on the Marketplace website, most individuals with employer-sponsored health insurance may not qualify for premium tax credits on Marketplace plans. However, there are no penalties for attempting to apply, and those who do not qualify can still retain their employer-sponsored insurance.