Frequently asked questions
Grouped by life event. Every answer links to a deeper guide.
Getting started
- Is this the official Health Insurance Marketplace?
- No. This site is operated by a licensed insurance producer and is not the Health Insurance Marketplace® website, and we're not affiliated with the U.S. government. When you enter your ZIP code, you're redirected to HealthSherpa, a CMS-approved Enhanced Direct Enrollment partner, which shows the same plans and prices as HealthCare.gov. Read more →
- Does enrolling through this site cost more?
- No. Marketplace plan prices are set by law and are identical everywhere they're sold. If you enroll through our link, a licensed producer becomes your agent of record and the carrier pays the producer a commission — your premium doesn't change by a cent. Read more →
- Will someone call or email me?
- No. The site has exactly one input: a ZIP code field. We never collect your name, phone number, or email, so there's nothing to call. If you ever want to talk to a licensed producer, that's inbound-only — you book the time. Read more →
- What states can you help in?
- Phase 1 covers 17 states where our producer is licensed and the federal Marketplace platform operates, including Florida, Texas, North Carolina, Michigan, and Ohio. If your state runs its own exchange (like California or Pennsylvania), we'll tell you honestly and point you to the official site. Read more →
Costs and subsidies
- Why did my premium go up so much for 2026?
- Two things stacked: gross premiums rose about 26% on average — the largest jump since 2018 — and the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits expired January 1, 2026, raising the average subsidized enrollee's payment about 114%. Our subsidy news page tracks whether Congress restores the credits. Read more →
- What is the 400% FPL subsidy cliff?
- With the enhanced credits expired, households above 400% of the federal poverty level get no premium subsidy at all — earn one dollar over the line and the entire credit disappears. Managing your MAGI (modified adjusted gross income) near the cliff can be worth thousands, especially for early retirees. Read more →
- What happens if I underestimate my income?
- You may have to repay excess subsidy at tax time — and starting with plan year 2026, the repayment caps were eliminated, so the full overpayment can come due. Estimate carefully and report income changes to the Marketplace promptly during the year. Read more →
- Is a Bronze plan always the cheapest choice?
- Cheapest premium, yes — cheapest year, not necessarily. Because of how carriers price Silver plans ("silver loading"), Gold plans can sometimes cost less than Silver, and cost-sharing reductions can make Silver a steal at lower incomes. Compare total expected costs, not just the monthly bill. Read more →
Deadlines and enrollment
- When is open enrollment for 2027 coverage?
- November 1 to December 15, 2026 in the 29 states using HealthCare.gov — a full month shorter than in past years. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1, 2027. Some state-run exchanges set their own, longer windows. Read more →
- What if I miss the open enrollment deadline?
- You can enroll outside the window only with a qualifying life event: losing other coverage, moving, getting married, having a baby, or turning 26, among others. Most events give you a 60-day special enrollment period. Otherwise, you generally wait for the next open enrollment. Read more →
- I'm turning 26 — when exactly do I need to act?
- Aging off a parent's plan is a qualifying life event that works year-round. You typically have 60 days from losing coverage to pick your own plan; enrolling before your birthday month avoids any gap. Don't wait for the deadline letter to start comparing. Read more →
- Should I take COBRA or a Marketplace plan?
- COBRA keeps your exact network and deductible progress but usually costs the full premium plus 2%. A Marketplace plan is often far cheaper — especially if you qualify for a subsidy — but may change your network. Run both numbers inside your 60-day window before deciding. Read more →
After you enroll
- I enrolled. Why isn't my coverage active?
- You must pay your first premium ("binder payment") directly to the carrier or your coverage never starts. Watch for the carrier's invoice within a week or two of enrolling, pay it before your start date, and only then expect ID cards. Read more →
- My income changed mid-year. Do I need to do anything?
- Yes — report it to the Marketplace promptly. Your subsidy is reconciled on your tax return, and with repayment caps eliminated for 2026 onward, letting an outdated estimate ride can create a real tax bill. Updating takes minutes through your HealthSherpa account. Read more →
- What does an agent of record actually do for me?
- Your agent of record can see your enrollment, help fix billing or eligibility problems, shop your renewal each fall, and answer plan questions year-round — at no cost to you. It's the difference between a helpline queue and a producer who already knows your file. Read more →
- How do renewals work under the shorter enrollment window?
- Your plan will try to auto-renew, but carriers exit markets and prices move every year — 2026 proved that. Re-shop every fall between November 1 and December 15. We publish updated state-by-state numbers each October when final rates come out. Read more →