A CSR cuts your Silver plan out-of-pocket maximum from as high as $10,600 down to $3,500 in 2026 if your income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. You must enroll in a Silver plan to activate it.
Quick Answer: A Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR) lowers out-of-pocket costs on Silver Marketplace plans for households earning 100 to 250 percent of the federal poverty level in 2026. The strongest tier, for incomes at or below 150 percent FPL, raises the plan's actuarial value to 94 percent and caps individual out-of-pocket costs at $3,500. You must select a Silver plan on HealthCare.gov to receive the discount. CSRs do not affect Bronze, Gold, or Platinum plans.
The premium tax credit lowers your monthly premium. The CSR lowers your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum after you enroll. Both require eligibility for marketplace coverage and income above 100 percent FPL, but CSRs have a stricter income ceiling of 250 percent FPL and a Silver-plan-only requirement. Check your household's ACA income limits to see which subsidies apply.
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Yes. CSRs are only activated on Silver-tier Marketplace plans. If you qualify but choose a Bronze or Gold plan, you forfeit the CSR discount. For households at 100 to 200 percent FPL, choosing Silver with CSR typically saves thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs compared to any other metal tier.
Your household income must be between 100 and 250 percent of the federal poverty level. For 2026 coverage, 250 percent FPL equals $39,125 for a single person and $80,375 for a family of four (2025 poverty guidelines); for 2027 coverage it is $39,900 and $82,500. You must also qualify for a premium tax credit, meaning no access to affordable employer coverage or public programs such as Medicaid.
At 100 to 200 percent FPL, a CSR drops the Silver plan out-of-pocket maximum from up to $10,600 down to $3,500 for an individual in 2026. At 200 to 250 percent FPL, the cap falls to $8,450. Both tiers also lower deductibles and improve coverage before the cap is met, pushing actuarial value above the standard 70 percent Silver baseline.
You may qualify for free health insurance.
Our 2-minute screener checks Medicaid, ACA, Medicare, CHIP, and more. Most uninsured Americans qualify for $0/month coverage they didn't know about.