Your enrollment in the health plan is not complete until the insurance company receives your first premium payment. Once you’ve selected your plan, the Marketplace will direct you to your insurance company’s website to make the first premium payment. In most states, you will make your premium payments directly to the health insurance company. Insurance companies must accept different forms of payment, including for those who do not have a credit card or bank account.…

Family premiums will reflect the composition of family members; in most states, this includes their ages and any tobacco use. To calculate a “family premium,” insurers will add together a separate premium for each adult age 21 and older. Insurers can charge a separate premium for up to three children under age 21. For example, if you have four children under age 21, your family premium will reflect two adult premiums and only three child…

Yes, in most states, you can be charged more based on your age, but within certain limits. For example, older adults in their sixties can be charged up to three times more than younger adults (e.g., in their early twenties). Some states have established lower limits or a complete prohibition on “age rating,” a federal policy that applies to all individual health insurance plans and those offered by fully-insured small employers, whether sold on or…

Not if you're buying a Marketplace plan. Marketplace plans are not allowed to charge you more based on your health status or pre-existing health condition. Some plans that are sold off the Marketplace, such as short-term plans and health sharing ministries, can turn you down or charge you more based on your health status or pre-existing condition. Click here for information on what to look for if you’re considering shopping for a plan off the…

If your state uses HealthCare.gov, a prescription look-up tool is available when shopping for a plan that will tell you whether your health plan covers a prescription drug on its “formulary” (a list of covered drugs) and other information, such as the cost sharing structure. A similar feature may be available if your state operates its own Marketplace website. Click here to look up the Marketplace in your state. If you don’t find your drug on the…

Every plan Marketplace plan must provide a link to its health provider directory on the Marketplace website to its health provider directory so consumers can find out if their health care providers are included. The provider network information from insurance companies must also tell you whether a provider is accepting new patients. Some insurers' provider directories may list the languages spoken by providers, but this is not federally required. If your state uses HealthCare.gov (federally-facilitated…

Catastrophic plans have the highest cost sharing and lowest premiums. In 2026, Catastrophic plans will have an annual deductible of $10,600 for an individual or $21,200 for a family. The plan does not have to cover more than three primary care visits before the deductible has been met. Catastrophic plans may only be sold to certain individuals. See this FAQ for details. Note that if you are eligible for financial assistance on the Marketplace, it…

Although all Marketplace health plans are required to cover the ten categories of essential health benefits, insurers in many states have flexibility to modify coverage for some of the specific services within each category, subject to approval by their Marketplace. All health plans must provide consumers with a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) to make it easier to compare differences in health plan benefits and cost sharing. It is also available for each plan…