Millions of Americans can apply for health insurance online in minutes through Healthcare.gov, the federal ACA marketplace. Whether it is your first time enrolling, you lost job-based coverage, or you had a qualifying life event in 2026, the online process is the fastest way to compare plans, check subsidy eligibility, and lock in coverage. This guide walks through every step, from creating your account to picking a plan that fits your budget.
Quick check: Not sure which program you qualify for? Run the free CoveredUSA screener at /screener before you apply. It takes under 2 minutes and tells you whether Medicaid, ACA marketplace, or Medicare is your best fit.
What Is Healthcare.gov and Who Uses It?
Healthcare.gov is the federal marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA, also called Obamacare). It serves residents in 30+ states that use the federal platform. States like California, New York, and Colorado run their own exchanges (Covered California, NY State of Health, Connect for Health Colorado), but the enrollment steps are nearly identical.
The marketplace lets you:
- Compare private health insurance plans side by side
- Apply for premium tax credits that lower your monthly premium
- Apply for cost-sharing reductions (CSR) on silver plans if your income is between 100% and 250% of the federal poverty level (FPL)
- Connect to Medicaid or CHIP if your income is below the ACA subsidy range
Per KFF.org, roughly 23.1 million people enrolled in ACA marketplace coverage for 2026 plan year, making it one of the largest coverage pathways in the country.
2026 Open Enrollment Dates
The 2026 open enrollment window for plans that start January 1, 2026 ran from November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026. That window has now closed.
Outside of open enrollment, you can still apply if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). See the section below on qualifying life events.
Some states with their own marketplaces extend enrollment into February or March. Check your state exchange website for exact dates.
ACA Subsidy Income Limits for 2026
Your eligibility for premium tax credits depends on your household income as a percentage of the 2025 federal poverty level (FPL). Subsidy eligibility in 2026 runs from 100% FPL up to 400% FPL. The "subsidy cliff" returned in 2026, meaning households above 400% FPL receive no premium tax credit.
Per ASPE.HHS.gov, the 2025 federal poverty guidelines used for 2026 ACA coverage are:
2026 ACA Premium Tax Credit Income Limits (48 Contiguous States and D.C.)
| Household Size | 100% FPL (Minimum) | 400% FPL (Maximum for Subsidy) |
|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $62,600 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $84,600 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $106,600 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $128,600 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $150,600 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $172,600 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $194,600 |
| 8 | $54,150 | $216,600 |
| Each additional person | +$5,500 | +$22,000 |
Source: 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines (HHS), used for 2026 ACA coverage year.
Note for Alaska and Hawaii: The FPL is higher. Alaska's 100% FPL for a single person is approximately $19,550. Hawaii's is approximately $17,990.
Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSR) for 2026
If your household income falls between 100% and 250% FPL and you enroll in a Silver plan, you may qualify for cost-sharing reductions that lower your deductible, copays, and out-of-pocket maximum. CSR is applied automatically when you pick a silver plan through the marketplace.
| Income Range | CSR Benefit Level |
|---|
| 100% to 150% FPL | Highest reductions (plan acts like platinum coverage) |
| 150% to 200% FPL | Strong reductions |
| 200% to 250% FPL | Moderate reductions |
| Above 250% FPL | No CSR (premium credit still applies up to 400%) |
In states that have expanded Medicaid, households with incomes below 138% FPL typically qualify for Medicaid rather than marketplace plans. Use the CoveredUSA eligibility screener to find out which program covers you based on your income and state.
How to Apply for Health Insurance Online: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
Before you open Healthcare.gov, collect the following. Having these ready cuts the application time in half.
Documents needed:
- Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Proof of income: most recent federal tax return (1040), W-2s, 1099s, or pay stubs
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status (passport, green card, naturalization certificate)
- Current health insurance information if you are already covered
- Employer coverage details (if anyone in the household has job-based insurance)
- Bank account information (for autopay setup after enrollment)
Step 2: Create or Log Into Your Healthcare.gov Account
Go to HealthCare.gov and click "Create account." If you enrolled before, log in with your existing username and password.
During account setup you will choose a username, password, and security questions. Keep these credentials, because you will need them every year to renew or update your plan.
Step 3: Start Your Application
Once logged in, click "Start a new application." The application will ask:
- Your state and zip code
- Number of people applying and their ages
- Household income for the year
- Whether anyone has access to job-based insurance
- Citizenship and immigration status for each applicant
- Whether anyone is pregnant, has a disability, or is a veteran
The form saves as you go, so you can return if you need to look something up.
Step 4: Review Your Eligibility Results
After you submit your household information, Healthcare.gov displays one of three outcomes:
- Medicaid or CHIP: You will be transferred to your state Medicaid agency to complete enrollment. This is usually free with minimal paperwork.
- Marketplace plan with a premium tax credit: You see your subsidy amount and can compare plans.
- Marketplace plan without a subsidy: Your income is above 400% FPL. You can still buy a plan, but you pay full price.
Step 5: Compare and Choose a Plan
Plans are grouped by metal tier:
| Metal Tier | Monthly Premium | Typical Out-of-Pocket Costs |
|---|
| Bronze | Lowest | Highest (best if you rarely need care) |
| Silver | Mid-range | Mid-range (required to get CSR) |
| Gold | Higher | Lower |
| Platinum | Highest | Lowest (best if you use care frequently) |
Pick a network (HMO, PPO, EPO, or POS), confirm your doctors are in-network, and check that your prescriptions are covered under the plan formulary.
Step 6: Enroll and Pay Your First Premium
After selecting a plan, confirm your enrollment and pay your first month's premium directly to the insurance company. Coverage is not active until the first premium is paid. Your plan start date depends on when you enroll during the enrollment window.
Step 7: Confirm Coverage and Save Your Documents
You will receive a confirmation number and a welcome letter from the insurance company. Save your insurance card, member ID number, and policy documents. Verify your coverage is active before scheduling any medical appointments.
Common Reasons Applications Get Denied
- Income reported does not match IRS records (verify with your most recent tax return)
- Missing or expired immigration documents for non-citizen household members
- Failing to verify your identity online (may require mailing identity documents)
- Employer coverage that is deemed "affordable" under ACA rules, which disqualifies you from premium credits
- Applying after the enrollment deadline without a qualifying life event
Special Enrollment Periods: Applying Outside Open Enrollment
If you missed the 2026 open enrollment window, you can still apply if you had a qualifying life event. Per Healthcare.gov, you typically have 60 days before or 60 days after the event to enroll.
Qualifying life events include:
- Losing job-based or other health coverage
- Getting married or divorced
- Having a baby, adopting a child, or placing a child for foster care
- Gaining citizenship or lawful immigration status
- Moving to a new state or zip code with different marketplace plans
- A natural disaster or other unexpected emergency designated by FEMA
When you apply through an SEP, Healthcare.gov asks you to confirm the qualifying event and may require documentation within 30 days of plan selection.
What If You Cannot Afford Any Plan?
If your income is below 100% FPL and you live in a state that has NOT expanded Medicaid, you may fall into the coverage gap where you earn too much for Medicaid but too little for ACA subsidies. Options in that situation include:
- Community health centers (federally qualified health centers, or FQHCs) that charge on a sliding scale based on income
- State-funded programs in some non-expansion states that offer limited coverage
- Medicaid if you are pregnant, have a disability, or have children even in non-expansion states
If your income is above 100% FPL but below 138% FPL in a Medicaid expansion state, you will generally qualify for Medicaid rather than a marketplace plan.
Check your eligibility now at CoveredUSA, it takes 2 minutes. The CoveredUSA screener factors in your state, household size, and income to tell you whether Medicaid, ACA marketplace coverage, Medicare, or another program is your best match.
Applying by Phone or In-Person
If you prefer not to apply online, you have two other options:
- Phone: Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- In-person assistance: Certified navigators and enrollment assisters in your area can walk you through the process at no charge. Find one at LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov
These options use the same eligibility system as the online application, so the results will be identical.
State-Run Marketplaces
If you live in one of the following states, you apply through your state exchange rather than Healthcare.gov:
State exchanges follow federal ACA rules, including the same income thresholds and plan metal tiers. Enrollment dates may vary by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for health insurance online at any time?
No. Outside of the annual open enrollment period (November 1 through January 15 for federal marketplace states), you can only apply if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Some qualifying life events, like losing job-based coverage or having a baby, trigger a 60-day enrollment window. Medicaid has no enrollment deadline and accepts applications year-round.
How long does the online application take?
Most people complete the Healthcare.gov application in 30 to 60 minutes if they have their income documents and Social Security numbers ready. The plan comparison and selection process adds another 15 to 30 minutes.
What income do I report on my ACA application?
Report your expected household income for the coverage year, not last year's income. This includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security benefits, alimony received (if the divorce was finalized before 2019), investment income, and rental income. If your actual income differs significantly from what you estimated, you reconcile the difference on your federal tax return at the end of the year.
Do I qualify for a subsidy if my employer offers coverage?
If your employer offers a plan that covers at least 60% of the actuarial value of benefits and costs less than 9.96% of your household income (the 2026 affordability threshold per IRS.gov), you are generally not eligible for an ACA premium tax credit even if you decline that employer plan.
What is the difference between a premium tax credit and a cost-sharing reduction?
A premium tax credit lowers your monthly insurance bill and is available to households between 100% and 400% FPL. A cost-sharing reduction lowers your deductible, copay, and out-of-pocket maximum within the plan year, and is only available on silver-tier plans for households between 100% and 250% FPL. You can receive both at the same time if you enroll in a silver plan.
Can non-citizens apply on Healthcare.gov?
Lawfully present immigrants, including green card holders, refugees, asylees, and certain visa holders, can apply and may qualify for subsidies. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for marketplace plans or federal subsidies, though some states offer state-funded coverage options.
How do I know if I qualify for Medicaid instead of an ACA plan?
If your household income is below approximately 138% FPL and you live in a Medicaid expansion state, Healthcare.gov will automatically route you to Medicaid during the application. If you are unsure which program fits your situation, the CoveredUSA screener compares Medicaid, ACA, Medicare, and other programs based on your income and state in about 2 minutes.
