Each level represents a different split between what the insurance company pays and what you pay when you use care. The right level depends on your health and budget.
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Bronze
Lowest premium
Plan pays ~60% of costs. You pay ~40%. High deductible — often $7,000+. Best if you're healthy and rarely need care.
Best for: Healthy, young adults
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Silver
Mid-range premium
Plan pays ~70%. You pay ~30%. The only level eligible for Cost Sharing Reductions if your income qualifies. Often the best value.
Best for: Most people with subsidies
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Gold
Higher premium
Plan pays ~80%. You pay ~20%. Lower deductibles and copays. Better if you use care regularly or have a chronic condition.
Best for: Frequent healthcare users
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Platinum
Highest premium
Plan pays ~90%. You pay ~10%. Lowest out-of-pocket costs when you use care. Makes sense for high healthcare users.
Best for: High healthcare needs
Subsidy Estimator
Find out if you qualify for premium tax credits.
Most people earning under 400% of the federal poverty level qualify for subsidies that reduce their monthly premium — sometimes to $0.
Quick Subsidy Check
This is an estimate only. A licensed agent can give you exact numbers for your state and situation.
Guides & Articles
Everything you need to know about ACA health insurance.
Licensed partners who help you find the right coverage.
These brokers compare ACA plans from multiple carriers at no cost to you. A licensed agent can also help you apply for subsidies correctly.
Disclosure: Northern Light Marketing may receive compensation from partners below. This does not influence our editorial content. Always review your plan's Summary of Benefits before enrolling.
CareHealth
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials in your area are paying up to $3,000+ for participants. CareHealth connects you with paid research studies that provide no-cost care and compensation for your time.
Many people who struggle to afford health insurance also qualify for cash assistance and utility programs. Check your eligibility for multiple aid programs in one quick search.
Before you go without health insurance, check whether the government is holding money in your name from old accounts, insurance policies, or forgotten deposits.
Struggling to afford health insurance premiums? Wise Savings connects you with programs designed to reduce your overall financial burden so health coverage becomes more manageable.
By Northern Light Editorial · 6 min read · Updated July 2026
The Affordable Care Act's premium tax credits (also called subsidies) reduce the monthly cost of your health insurance plan. Enhanced subsidies that were expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act are still in effect for 2026 — and they've made health insurance affordable for more people than ever before.
How subsidies are calculated
Subsidies are based on your household income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The less you earn relative to the FPL, the more subsidy you receive. Under enhanced rules, no one earning under 400% FPL should pay more than 8.5% of their income toward a benchmark Silver plan premium.
💡 A family of 4 earning $60,000/year (about 224% FPL) could receive $800–$1,200/month in premium subsidies in 2026, bringing a $1,500/month plan down to $300–$700/month.
Cost Sharing Reductions (CSR)
If your income is below 250% FPL, you may also qualify for Cost Sharing Reductions — available only on Silver plans. CSR reduces your deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket maximum, making a Silver plan function more like a Gold or Platinum plan.
How to claim your subsidy
Apply through healthcare.gov or a licensed broker. You can take the subsidy as an advance payment (reducing your monthly premium) or claim it as a tax credit when you file your federal taxes.
Special Enrollment
Lost Your Job? Here's How to Get Health Insurance Within 60 Days
By Northern Light Editorial · 5 min read
Losing employer-sponsored health insurance is a qualifying life event that triggers a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You have 60 days from the date you lose coverage to enroll in an ACA Marketplace plan.
Your options when you lose coverage
ACA Marketplace plan — often the best option, especially if your income has dropped and you now qualify for subsidies you didn't before
COBRA — continue your employer plan for up to 18 months, but you pay the full premium — typically $500–$700/month per person
Medicaid — if your income has dropped below 138% FPL and you're in a Medicaid expansion state, you may qualify for free coverage
Spouse's employer plan — losing your coverage is a qualifying event to join your spouse's plan outside of open enrollment
⚠️ The 60-day clock starts when your coverage ends, not when you receive your termination notice. Don't wait — your SEP window runs out whether or not you've received paperwork from your employer.
COBRA vs. ACA Marketplace
COBRA is rarely the best financial choice unless you have a chronic condition, are mid-treatment, or need to keep specific doctors in your network. For most people who have lost income, an ACA plan with subsidies will be significantly cheaper. Run the comparison before defaulting to COBRA.
Self-Employed
Self-Employed Health Insurance: The Complete 2026 Guide
By Northern Light Editorial · 7 min read
Self-employed individuals — freelancers, contractors, sole proprietors, and S-corp owners — have unique options for health insurance and some significant tax advantages that W-2 employees don't have.
The self-employed health insurance deduction
If you're self-employed and not eligible for employer-sponsored coverage through a spouse, you can deduct 100% of your health insurance premiums from your federal income taxes. This applies to premiums for yourself, your spouse, and your dependents. It's an above-the-line deduction, meaning you don't need to itemize.
💡 If you pay $600/month in premiums and are in the 22% tax bracket, the deduction saves you about $1,584/year in federal taxes — on top of any ACA subsidies you receive.
ACA subsidies and self-employment income
Subsidy eligibility is based on your net self-employment income after deductions. If your income fluctuates year to year, work with a licensed broker or tax professional to estimate your income correctly — underestimating can lead to a repayment at tax time, and overestimating means leaving subsidy money on the table.
Health Sharing Ministries — approach with caution
Health sharing ministries are sometimes marketed to self-employed people as cheap alternatives to health insurance. They are not insurance, are not required to cover pre-existing conditions, and have no legal obligation to pay your medical bills. They work for some people but carry significant financial risk.