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ACA Marketplace Tax Credit Eligibility Calculator

Calculate your eligibility for ACA Marketplace tax credits and understand how upcoming policy changes will affect your healthcare costs.

Important: Enhanced tax credits expire after 2025, and many people who qualify today won't qualify in 2026. Use this calculator to understand if you'll be affected by these upcoming changes and see how your eligibility will change.

What you'll get:

Calculate current tax credit eligibility
See projected changes for 2026
Understand policy impact on your costs
Get personalized recommendations

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Health Insurance Timeline Questions

Everything you need to know about when to enroll, deadlines, and timing for people who buy their own health insurance coverage.

ACA Marketplace Plans

Open Enrollment (most states):

November 1 – January 15: Main window to enroll, renew, or change Marketplace coverage
By December 15: Enroll for coverage that begins January 1
December 16 – January 15: Enroll for coverage that begins February 1

                            State Variations: Some states extend deadlines (California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York). Always check your state's exchange.
                        

Yes, through Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs). You generally have 60 days before or after a qualifying life event to sign up or make changes.

Examples of qualifying events:

Losing coverage
Moving to a new area
Getting married
Having a baby or adopting a child
Change in household income that affects subsidies

Coverage start: Usually the 1st of the month after you enroll. Birth or adoption can start on the date of the event.

If you had Marketplace coverage, you'll receive Form 1095-A in late January. You use this to complete Form 8962 when filing taxes (usually due April 15).

Private Health Plans

Private health insurance plans (sometimes called "short-term" or "non-ACA" plans) can be purchased at any time of year. There are no enrollment windows — you can apply 365 days a year.

                            Important caveat: These plans may have limits, exclusions, or higher costs for certain conditions. Always review coverage details carefully.
                        

COBRA Continuation Coverage

You have 60 days from the later of your coverage loss or receiving the COBRA notice to decide whether to elect COBRA coverage.

Your first payment is due within 45 days of electing COBRA. If you pay on time, coverage is retroactive back to the loss date.

Ongoing payments: Each month has a 30-day grace period.

18 months in most cases (job loss or reduced hours)
29 months if a disability extension applies
36 months for certain dependent events (divorce, death of employee, or child aging out)

                            Warning: If COBRA coverage ends because of non-payment, you usually do NOT qualify for a Special Enrollment Period on the Marketplace. You may have to wait until the next Open Enrollment.
                        

Medicare (Age 65+)

Initial Enrollment Period: 7 months around your 65th birthday (3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after).

General Enrollment Period: January 1 – March 31 each year if you missed your first chance. Coverage begins the month after you enroll.

Medicare Annual Enrollment (October 15 – December 7): Review and switch Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plans. New coverage begins January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 – March 31): If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch once.

You get a one-time 6-month window when you first start Part B to buy any Medigap plan without health questions. This is your best opportunity for guaranteed coverage.

Medicaid & CHIP

Enrollment is year-round if you qualify based on income and household size.

Coverage usually starts on the application date or the first of that month
Many states allow coverage to go back up to 3 months retroactively if you were eligible
Children under 19 generally get 12 months of continuous coverage once approved

HSAs & FSAs

If you have a high-deductible plan, you can contribute until the tax filing deadline (around April 15) for the prior year.

                            Medicare Note: Once you start Medicare, you can no longer contribute. Because Medicare Part A can be backdated up to 6 months, it's best to stop HSA contributions 6 months before you sign up.
                        

You usually elect FSA contributions during Open Enrollment. "Use it or lose it" applies, but some employers offer:

A grace period of up to 2½ months into the next year
Or a carryover of a limited amount, set by the IRS

Quick Reference Timeline

Situation	Timeline
Private Plans	Anytime, year-round
Marketplace Open Enrollment	November 1 – January 15
Marketplace SEP	60 days before/after life event
COBRA election	60 days
COBRA initial payment	45 days after election
Medicare Initial Enrollment	7-month window around age 65
Medicare Annual Enrollment	October 15 – December 7
Medicaid/CHIP	Year-round
HSA contributions for prior year	Until tax filing deadline

This information is for educational purposes only. Confirm details with your state exchange, Medicare, or a licensed insurance advisor before making final decisions.

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