2026 ACA Health Insurance Subsidy Calculator
⚠️ Enhanced ACA Subsidies Expired December 31, 2025
Premiums have increased significantly for 2026. Enhanced subsidies that were in effect from 2021-2025 have expired. The 400% FPL income cap has been reinstated, and required premium contributions have more than doubled for many enrollees.
Congressional Action Pending: As of February 2026, Congress is still debating whether to extend enhanced subsidies. Check back for updates or contact your representatives.
ACA Health Insurance Subsidy Calculator – 2026
Use this calculator to estimate your monthly health insurance premium costs based on your income and household size. Important: This calculator reflects the POST-EXPIRATION subsidy structure in effect for 2026 after enhanced subsidies ended on December 31, 2025.
Calculate Your ACA Subsidy Eligibility
ACA Subsidy Calculator
How This Calculator Works (2026 POST-EXPIRATION Rules)
This calculator uses the 2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines and the original ACA subsidy contribution percentages that went back into effect on January 1, 2026 after enhanced subsidies expired. Premiums are significantly higher than they were in 2021-2025.
What Changed on January 1, 2026:
- 400% FPL Income Cap Reinstated: If your income exceeds 400% FPL ($62,960 individual / $129,200 family of 4), you are NO LONGER ELIGIBLE for any premium tax credits
- Higher Required Contributions: Those earning 100-400% FPL now pay 2.1% – 9.96% of income (vs. 0% – 8.5% in 2021-2025)
- No More $0 Premiums: Even those at 100-150% FPL must now contribute 2.1%-4.19% of income (previously 0%)
- Average Premium Increase: 114% increase ($888/year in 2025 —> $1,904/year in 2026)
2026 Subsidy Structure (Post-Expiration):
- Below 138% FPL: May qualify for Medicaid in expansion states
- 100-133% FPL: Required contribution: 2.1% – 3.14% of income
- 133-150% FPL: Required contribution: 3.14% – 4.19% of income
- 150-200% FPL: Required contribution: 4.19% – 6.60% of income
- 200-250% FPL: Required contribution: 6.60% – 8.31% of income
- 250-300% FPL: Required contribution: 8.31% – 9.96% of income
- 300-400% FPL: Required contribution: 9.96% of income
- Above 400% FPL: ❌ NOT ELIGIBLE for subsidies (must pay full premium)
State-Level Subsidies Available
Some states are offering their own subsidies to offset the loss of enhanced federal subsidies:
- Full Replacement: New Mexico
- Partial Replacement: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington
Contact your state’s health insurance marketplace for details on state-specific subsidies.
Important: This is an estimate only. Actual subsidy amounts depend on the cost of the second-lowest-cost silver plan (benchmark plan) in your specific area. To get an official determination, complete an application through your state’s Health Insurance Marketplace or Healthcare.gov.
What Happened to ACA Subsidies in 2026?
Enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expired on December 31, 2025, causing premium costs to more than double for millions of Americans. Here’s what you need to know about the subsidy expiration and what it means for your health insurance costs.
The Enhanced Subsidies That Expired
From 2021 through 2025, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided enhanced premium tax credits that made ACA marketplace health insurance significantly more affordable. These temporary enhancements:
- Eliminated the 400% FPL income cap, allowing higher earners to qualify for subsidies
- Capped premium contributions at 8.5% of income for all income levels above 400% FPL
- Reduced required contributions for those below 400% FPL
- Provided $0 premium plans for those earning 100-150% FPL
These enhancements were set to expire at the end of 2022 but were extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act. Congress did not extend them further, so they expired as scheduled on December 31, 2025.
Impact on Enrollees: Who Was Affected Most
The expiration of enhanced subsidies has created significant financial challenges for different groups of marketplace enrollees:
Those Above 400% FPL (Hardest Hit): Individuals earning more than $62,960 or families of four earning more than $129,200 lost ALL subsidy eligibility. Many are now facing full unsubsidized premiums that can exceed $8,500 annually--an increase of over $4,000 from 2025. For older enrollees in this bracket, annual premiums can reach $20,000 or more.
Lower-Income Enrollees (100-150% FPL): Those who previously paid $0 premiums now must contribute 2.1% to 4.19% of their income. For example, a person earning $20,000 annually (around 125% FPL) now pays approximately $600-700 per year instead of $0.
Middle-Income Enrollees (200-400% FPL): Required premium contributions increased from 2-8.5% to 6.6-9.96% of income. A family of four earning $80,000 (about 250% FPL) saw their monthly premiums jump from approximately $340 to $555--a $215/month or $2,580/year increase.
Congressional Efforts to Extend Subsidies
The expiration of enhanced subsidies became a major political issue in late 2025 and early 2026. Democrats pushed for extension, even forcing a 43-day government shutdown over the issue. Republicans have offered various proposals, including:
- Two-year extensions with income limits
- One-year extensions with reforms
- Conditional extensions tied to program integrity measures
As of February 2026, the House of Representatives has passed a three-year extension, but Senate action remains pending. The political dynamics are complicated by:
- Midterm election concerns (Republicans hold a slim House majority)
- Budget deficit implications ($350 billion over 10 years for permanent extension)
- Disagreement over income caps and means testing
- Broader healthcare reform debates
What This Means for You: If Congress passes an extension retroactive to January 1, 2026, subsidies would be restored and many enrollees would receive refunds or credits. However, there is no guarantee this will happen, and any extension may include new income limits or other restrictions.
Enrollment Impact and Market Concerns
Early data shows that ACA marketplace enrollment dropped by approximately 1.2 million people for 2026 compared to 2025, declining from 24.2 million to 23 million enrollees. However, the full impact won’t be clear until mid-2026 because:
- Many enrollees were auto-renewed and may not have realized their premium increased
- Enrollees have 90 days to pay premiums before coverage terminates
- Some people are holding out hope that Congress will restore subsidies
Experts warn of a potential “death spiral” if millions of young, healthy people drop coverage due to high costs, leaving an older, sicker risk pool that drives premiums even higher. The Urban Institute and Commonwealth Fund estimate that 4.8 million people will drop coverage in 2026, with about 5 million becoming uninsured rather than finding coverage elsewhere.
Understanding ACA Marketplace Subsidies
How ACA Premium Tax Credits Work in 2026
Premium tax credits remain available for individuals and families with incomes between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. The subsidy calculation compares your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) to the federal poverty level for your household size to determine what percentage of your income you’re required to contribute toward health insurance premiums.
The federal government pays the difference between your required contribution and the cost of the second-lowest-cost silver plan (benchmark plan) in your area. This subsidy can be applied to any metal level plan (bronze, silver, gold, or platinum), though the benchmark is always silver.
For 2026, the 2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines are used for subsidy calculations. These guidelines vary by state, with Alaska and Hawaii having higher thresholds due to higher costs of living.
Medicaid Expansion and the Coverage Gap
In the 40 states plus DC that have expanded Medicaid, individuals and families with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level qualify for Medicaid at little to no cost. This means coverage is available for those earning up to approximately $22,000 for an individual or $45,500 for a family of four.
In the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid, a coverage gap exists. People with incomes below 100% FPL don’t qualify for marketplace subsidies and may not qualify for Medicaid either, leaving them with no affordable coverage options. This gap affects hundreds of thousands of Americans.
Cost-Sharing Reductions Still Available
While premium subsidies changed dramatically in 2026, cost-sharing reductions (CSRs) remain available for those earning 100-250% FPL who enroll in silver plans. These reductions lower deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance:
- 100-150% FPL: 94% actuarial value (platinum-equivalent coverage)
- 150-200% FPL: 87% actuarial value
- 200-250% FPL: 73% actuarial value
CSRs are only available on silver plans, making silver often the best value for lower-income enrollees despite potentially higher premiums than bronze plans.
2026 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
| Household Size | 48 States & DC | Alaska | Hawaii | 400% FPL Cap (48 States) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $19,950 | $18,360 | $63,840 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $27,050 | $24,900 | $86,560 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $34,150 | $31,440 | $109,280 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $41,250 | $37,980 | $132,000 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $48,350 | $44,520 | $154,720 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $55,450 | $51,060 | $177,440 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $62,550 | $57,600 | $200,160 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $69,650 | $64,140 | $222,880 |
| Note: For households with more than 8 people, add $5,680 for each additional person in the 48 contiguous states and DC, $7,100 in Alaska, and $6,540 in Hawaii. The 400% FPL cap column shows the maximum income for subsidy eligibility in 2026. Anyone earning above these amounts receives NO premium tax credits. | ||||
2026 ACA Premium Contribution Percentages (Post-Expiration)
| Income as % of FPL | Required Premium Contribution (2026 POST-EXPIRATION) |
Previous Contribution (2021-2025 Enhanced) |
Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% – 133% | 2.1% – 3.14% | 0% | +2.1% – 3.14% |
| 133% – 150% | 3.14% – 4.19% | 0% | +3.14% – 4.19% |
| 150% – 200% | 4.19% – 6.60% | 0% – 2% | +4.19% – 4.60% |
| 200% – 250% | 6.60% – 8.31% | 2% – 4% | +4.60% – 4.31% |
| 250% – 300% | 8.31% – 9.96% | 4% – 6% | +4.31% – 3.96% |
| 300% – 400% | 9.96% | 6% – 8.5% | +1.46% – 3.96% |
| Above 400% | ❌ NOT ELIGIBLE | 8.5% | LOST ALL SUBSIDIES |
| These are the actual contribution percentages in effect for 2026 after enhanced subsidies expired. Notice that even low-income enrollees (100-150% FPL) who previously paid $0 now must contribute 2.1%-4.19% of their income. Those above 400% FPL lost ALL subsidy eligibility and must pay full unsubsidized premiums. | |||
Historical Reference: Enhanced Subsidies (2021-2025)
This section documents the enhanced ACA subsidies that were in effect from 2021-2025 under the American Rescue Plan Act and Inflation Reduction Act. This information is for historical reference only--these enhanced subsidies expired on December 31, 2025.
Historical Data Only: The enhanced subsidy structure below was in effect from 2021 through 2025. As of January 1, 2026, these enhancements have expired and subsidies have reverted to pre-2021 levels with a 400% FPL income cap.
Enhanced Subsidy Structure (2021-2025) – EXPIRED
During the 2021-2025 period, enhanced subsidies provided significantly more generous assistance:
| Income as % of FPL | Required Contribution (2021-2025) | Current 2026 Contribution | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% – 150% | 0% | 2.1% – 4.19% | Much Higher |
| 150% – 200% | 0% – 2% | 4.19% – 6.60% | Much Higher |
| 200% – 250% | 2% – 4% | 6.60% – 8.31% | Much Higher |
| 250% – 300% | 4% – 6% | 8.31% – 9.96% | Much Higher |
| 300% – 400% | 6% – 8.5% | 9.96% | Higher |
| Above 400% | 8.5% (no cap) | NOT ELIGIBLE | Lost All Subsidies |
Impact of Enhanced Subsidies (2021-2025)
During the five years enhanced subsidies were in effect, they had a transformative impact on ACA marketplace enrollment and affordability:
- Enrollment More Than Doubled: From 11.4 million (2020) to 24.2 million (2025)
- Average Premiums Reduced: From approximately $900/year to $888/year after subsidies
- Uninsured Rate Declined: Enhanced subsidies contributed to historic lows in uninsured rates
- Middle-Class Access Improved: Families earning $100,000+ could qualify for help
Why Enhanced Subsidies Were Created and Extended
The American Rescue Plan Act (2021) created enhanced subsidies as part of COVID-19 pandemic relief, recognizing that millions had lost employer coverage or faced economic hardship. The enhancements were originally temporary (2021-2022) but were extended through 2025 by the Inflation Reduction Act due to their success in expanding coverage.
The expiration at the end of 2025 was not due to policy failure but rather to budget constraints and the temporary nature of the original legislation. Efforts to make the enhancements permanent or extend them further failed in Congress despite bipartisan support, leading to the current situation where millions face significantly higher premiums.
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