Don't Miss Out: Get Medical Insurance Now!

Health insurance coverage can start as soon as January 1. December 15 is the last day to enrol in or change plans for coverage to start January 1. Eligibility criteria can vary depending on the type of plan you’re considering, whether it’s through an employer, a government program like Medicaid or Medicare, or a private insurance marketplace. Factors such as income, age, employment status, and residency may impact your eligibility for certain plans.

Affordability

The most common reason people give for not having health insurance is that it's too expensive. However, there are subsidies and tax credits that can help make coverage more affordable.

Medicaid is typically available to low-income individuals and families. Medicare is available to individuals aged 65 and older or those with certain disabilities. Private health insurance plans may have eligibility requirements based on factors such as employment or enrollment periods.

If your income is too high for Medicaid, you may be eligible for premium subsidies to cover a portion of your premium in the exchange/Marketplace. These subsidies are normally only available to people with income up to four times the poverty level, but the American Rescue Plan removed this limit for 2021 and 2022, and the Inflation Reduction Act extended that provision through 2025. Under the temporary new rules, people are expected to pay a set percentage of their income for the benchmark plan's premium, and it's capped at 8.5% of income, regardless of how high an applicant's income is.

The ACA has also helped to make coverage much more affordable for people with low and mid-range incomes, thanks to Medicaid expansion and Marketplace premium tax credits. And from 2021 through 2025, the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act have enhanced the ACA's Marketplace subsidies, making self-purchased coverage even more affordable.

If your income is less than about $21,597 (for a single adult under age 65 in the continental U.S.), you may qualify for Medicaid in 2025. This income limit increases each year within a few months of the new federal poverty level amounts being released.

Income eligibility

If you are considering getting medical insurance, it is important to understand your income eligibility for different health insurance options. Eligibility criteria can vary depending on the type of plan you’re considering, whether it’s through an employer, a government program like Medicaid or Medicare, or a private insurance marketplace. Factors such as income, age, employment status, and residency may impact your eligibility for certain plans.

For example, Medicaid is typically available to low-income individuals and families, while Medicare is available to individuals aged 65 and older or those with certain disabilities. Private health insurance plans may have eligibility requirements based on factors such as employment or enrollment periods.

If your income is less than about $21,597 (for a single adult under age 65 in the continental U.S.), you may qualify for Medicaid in 2025. This income limit increases each year within a few months of the new federal poverty level amounts being released.

If it is, they can deny the claim. (This doesn't happen with ACA-compliant plans, because they cover pre-existing conditions.)

If your income is too high for Medicaid, you may be eligible for premium subsidies to cover a portion of your premium in the exchange/Marketplace. These subsidies are normally only available to people with income up to four times the poverty level (based on the prior year's poverty level numbers). But the American Rescue Plan removed this limit for 2021 and 2022, and the Inflation Reduction Act extended that provision through 2025. Under the temporary new rules, people are expected to pay a set percentage of their income for the benchmark plan's premium, and it's capped at 8.5% of income, regardless of how high an applicant's income is.

Pre-existing conditions

If you have a pre-existing condition, it's important to shop around for plans that cover them. You can also contact your state's health insurance marketplace to find out if you qualify for any special programs or subsidies.

It's also important to review your plan's coverage carefully to make sure that it includes the treatments and services you need. You can also contact your doctor's office to find out if they accept your insurance plan.

If you're eligible for health insurance, it's important to enroll in a plan as soon as possible. You can enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1 by December 15.

If you have a pre-existing condition, it's important to find a plan that covers it. You can contact your state's health insurance marketplace to find out if you qualify for any special programs or subsidies. You can also review your plan's coverage carefully to make sure that it includes the treatments and services you need.

Coverage start dates

December 15 is the last day to enrol in or change plans for coverage to start January 1.

If you are looking to get medical insurance, it is important to consider your eligibility for different health insurance options. Eligibility criteria can vary depending on the type of plan you’re considering, whether it’s through an employer, a government program like Medicaid or Medicare, or a private insurance marketplace. Factors such as income, age, employment status, and residency may impact your eligibility for certain plans.

Medicaid is typically available to low-income individuals and families, while Medicare is available to individuals aged 65 and older or those with certain disabilities. Private health insurance plans may have eligibility requirements based on factors such as employment or enrollment periods.

If your income is too high for Medicaid, you may be eligible for premium subsidies to cover a portion of your premium in the exchange/Marketplace. These subsidies are normally only available to people with income up to four times the poverty level (based on the prior year's poverty level numbers). But the American Rescue Plan removed this limit for 2021 and 2022, and the Inflation Reduction Act extended that provision through 2025. Under the temporary new rules, people are expected to pay a set percentage of their income for the benchmark plan's premium, and it's capped at 8.5% of income, regardless of how high an applicant's income is.

If your income is less than about $21,597 (for a single adult under age 65 in the continental U.S.), you may qualify for Medicaid in 2025. This income limit increases each year within a few months of the new federal poverty level amounts being released.

Eligibility criteria

For example, Medicaid is typically available to low-income individuals and families, while Medicare is available to individuals aged 65 and older or those with certain disabilities. Private health insurance plans may have eligibility requirements based on factors such as employment or enrollment periods.

If your income is too high for Medicaid, you may be eligible for premium subsidies to cover a portion of your premium in the exchange/Marketplace. These subsidies are normally only available to people with income up to four times the poverty level (based on the prior year's poverty level numbers). But the American Rescue Plan removed this limit for 2021 and 2022, and the Inflation Reduction Act extended that provision through 2025. Under the temporary new rules, people are expected to pay a set percentage of their income for the benchmark plan's premium, and it's capped at 8.5% of income, regardless of how high an applicant's income is.

The ACA has helped to make coverage much more affordable for people with low and mid-range incomes, thanks to Medicaid expansion and Marketplace premium tax credits. And from 2021 through 2025, the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act have enhanced the ACA's Marketplace subsidies, making self-purchased coverage even more affordable. If your income is less than about $21,597 (for a single adult under age 65 in the continental U.S.), you may qualify for Medicaid in 2025. This income limit increases each year within a few months of the new federal poverty level amounts being released.

Coverage can start as soon as January 1. December 15 is the last day to enroll in or change plans for coverage to start January 1.

Frequently asked questions