“Obamacare” is a common nickname for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a federal law passed in 2010. It isn’t the name of a government program, a health plan or an insurance company. ACA health plans are offered by private insurance companies through HealthCare.gov or your state’s Marketplace, and also outside the Marketplace. ObamaCare-Enroll.org is run by Health Enrollment, a private, licensed insurance agency. We’re not the government or HealthCare.gov, and this site doesn’t enroll you in anything by itself. We use the name only for ACA-compliant plans, because many people know them by that name. We offer ACA plans and other types of coverage from the insurance companies we work with, but not every plan or product available in your area.

The Health Insurance Marketplace, also called the exchange, is where you shop for and compare individual and family health plans and apply for savings. Some states use HealthCare.gov, and others run their own Marketplace. The application also tells you whether your household qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP. ObamaCare-Enroll.org is run by a private agency and isn’t the Marketplace, but our licensed agents can help you enroll in Marketplace plans.

The ACA offers a premium tax credit that lowers your monthly premium for a Marketplace plan. The amount is based on your income and household size, and people with lower incomes get more help. For 2027 coverage, the credit is generally available if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. Most people take it in advance, so it's paid straight to the insurance company each month. Then you settle up on your tax return. You can get it even if you don't owe taxes. It can only be used for plans bought through the Marketplace.

Yes. The larger subsidies that Congress added for 2021–2025 ended on December 31, 2025. For 2027, unless Congress changes the law, people with household income above 400% of the federal poverty level don't qualify for a premium tax credit. The House passed an extension in January 2026. As of October 2026, the Senate has not passed it.

Not necessarily. Having little or no income doesn’t automatically mean free coverage. What you can get depends on your state, your household, the income you expect for the year, your immigration status and other rules.

• Medicaid: In 40 states and Washington, D.C., adults with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level may qualify for Medicaid, which is free or very low cost. In states that haven’t expanded Medicaid, many adults with very low income don’t qualify for Medicaid at all. Starting as early as January 2027 (later in some states that get more time), most adults ages 19–64 covered through Medicaid expansion must show about 80 hours a month of work, school or community service, unless they’re exempt.
• Premium tax credit: You generally need expected household income of at least 100% of the federal poverty level (about $15,960 for one person for 2027 coverage in the 48 contiguous states and D.C.) to get it. Below that, you usually can’t get the credit, even in a state that hasn’t expanded Medicaid. People in that situation may have no affordable option, which is called the coverage gap. If you honestly expected income above 100% and got help in advance, you generally keep that help even if your income ends up lower.
• A $0 premium isn’t $0 cost: Some plans have a $0 monthly premium after savings but still have deductibles, copays and coinsurance.
• Your income is checked: The Marketplace compares the income you report with other records and may ask for proof. Give your best honest estimate and report changes. If you get too much help in advance, you may have to pay it back at tax time, and starting with 2026 coverage there’s no limit on how much.
• Plans outside the ACA have their own rules: Short-term, fixed indemnity and dental plans aren’t ACA coverage. They can set their own eligibility rules, ask health questions and exclude pre-existing conditions.

A licensed agent can look at your situation and explain which options fit you.

• Out-of-pocket maximum. Each plan limits what you pay for covered in-network care in a year. For 2027, it can't be more than $12,000 for one person or $24,000 for a family. Your premiums don't count toward this limit.
• No yearly or lifetime dollar limits. Plans can't cap what they spend on essential health benefits.
• Cost sharing. On average, Bronze plans pay about 60% of covered costs, Silver about 70%, Gold about 80% and Platinum about 90%. What you pay depends on your plan's deductible, copays and coinsurance.

No. We don’t charge you a fee. Licensed agents are usually paid a commission by the insurance company, and your Marketplace premium is the same whether you use an agent or enroll on your own.

You must live in the state whose Marketplace you use, be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawfully present immigrant, and not be in jail or prison serving a sentence. DACA recipients can't buy Marketplace plans. Starting in 2027, many lawfully present immigrants who are not green card holders can buy a plan but can't get a premium tax credit.

On HealthCare.gov, Open Enrollment runs from November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1. If you enroll between December 16 and January 15, coverage starts February 1. States that run their own Marketplace may have different dates, and some go until January 31.

Yes, if you have a qualifying life event, such as losing other health coverage, getting married, having or adopting a baby, or moving. This gives you a Special Enrollment Period, which usually lasts 60 days. You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year.

There are four ways. Online: create an account at HealthCare.gov or your state's Marketplace, fill out the application, see your savings, then compare plans and enroll. By phone: call the Marketplace call center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325), or a licensed agent. By mail: send a paper application, then finish enrolling online or by phone. In person: get free help from a Navigator, certified assister or licensed agent. You can find local help on HealthCare.gov.

There's no federal penalty. It has been $0 since 2019. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia charge their own penalty on state taxes if you go without coverage and don't qualify for an exemption.

Not for an ACA plan. Marketplace plans and other ACA plans can't deny you, charge you more, or refuse to cover a condition you had before enrolling. Short-term plans, fixed indemnity plans and older grandfathered plans don't have to follow these rules.

Illness and injuries happen without warning, and care can be very expensive without insurance. Health insurance protects you in a few ways. In-network providers charge lower, negotiated prices, even before you meet your deductible. Many preventive services, like vaccines and screenings, are covered at no cost when you use in-network providers. And your plan shares the cost of your care.