Optimized Insurance Plans
ACA Income Limits for 2027 Coverage
See the exact income range for ACA subsidies by household size, straight from the published federal poverty guidelines. Check what you qualify for in about a minute.
Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage: November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 to start coverage January 1.
Free 60-Second Eligibility Calculator
Enter your household size and expected annual income. You will see your percentage of the Federal Poverty Level and the help you are likely to qualify for. No email required.
What You Likely Qualify For
Where your income lands as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level decides which kind of help you get. In plain terms:
Under 138%
You may qualify for Medicaid in expansion states, or for the largest ACA subsidies available. This is not a dead end. Talk to us and we will help you confirm it and look at all your options.
138% to 250%
You likely qualify for premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions. This is the sweet spot: on a Silver plan your deductible and out-of-pocket costs come down as well as your premium. Most people in this range do not realise the second part exists.
250% to 400%
You likely qualify for premium tax credits that lower your monthly payment. Cost-sharing reductions stop at 250%.
Over 400%
You may still qualify for help if the benchmark plan where you live would cost more than 8.5% of your income. Worth checking rather than assuming.
Do not leave money on the table. Checking costs nothing and our brokers cost you nothing. The most common mistake we see is people assuming they earn too much to qualify.
ACA Subsidy Income Range by Household Size — 2027 Coverage
Subsidies generally apply from 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. Figures are for the 48 contiguous states & D.C.
| Household size | 100% FPL minimum | 400% FPL subsidy cap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $63,840 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $86,560 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $109,280 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $132,000 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $154,720 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $177,440 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $200,160 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $222,880 |
For households larger than 8, add $5,680 (100% FPL) and $22,720 (400% FPL) per additional person.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services (HHS/ASPE), 2026 Poverty Guidelines — used for 2027 coverage. aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines
Sources (all official U.S. government):
- HHS / ASPE, Federal Poverty Guidelines — aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines
- The exact 2026 table and computations — 2026 poverty guidelines computations
- Federal Register notice, 15 Jan 2026 — Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines
- ACA subsidies explained — HealthCare.gov, Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Figures are the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines (48 contiguous states & D.C.), the guidelines used to score 2027 coverage. Alaska and Hawaii use higher guidelines.
Key Dates for 2027 Coverage
A June 2026 court ruling vacated the rule that would have ended Open Enrollment on December 15, so the full window through January 15 stands.
These dates vary by state. Several states run their own Marketplace on a longer window. Confirm the dates where you live, or ask us and we will confirm them for you.
Why the 250% Line Matters More Than People Think
Most people know about premium subsidies. Far fewer know that under 250% of the Federal Poverty Level you also get cost-sharing reductions, which cut your deductible, co-pays and out-of-pocket maximum on Silver plans. Cross that line and the extra help disappears even though the premium subsidy continues.
It is the single biggest reason to estimate your income carefully rather than roughly. A few thousand dollars either side of a threshold can change how much help you get, or whether you qualify for Medicaid instead of a Marketplace plan.
Estimating accurately matters at the other end too: a large gap between what you projected and what you actually earned can mean paying back part of your subsidy at tax time. Knowing your threshold before Open Enrollment also lets you plan contributions, such as to an HSA or retirement account, that legitimately lower your countable income.
Every figure on this page comes straight from the published federal guidelines, linked above. Optimized Insurance Plans is a team of licensed insurance brokers. We are paid by the carrier, not by you.
Common Questions
Where do these numbers come from?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publishes the poverty guidelines each January. The 2026 guidelines, published 15 January 2026, are the ones used to score 2027 coverage. Every source is linked above so you can check them yourself.
Why does this say 2027 coverage but 2026 guidelines?
That is correct, and it catches a lot of people out. Subsidies for a coverage year are calculated against the poverty guidelines published the year before. Open Enrollment starting 1 November 2026 sells 2027 coverage, scored against the 2026 guidelines.
Which income counts?
The Marketplace uses your estimated modified adjusted gross income for the coverage year, not last year's. Estimating it badly is the most common cause of owing money back at tax time, which is worth ten minutes with an agent.
Does it cost anything to talk to you?
No. There is no fee for our help and no obligation to enrol.
Do Not Miss the Deadline
Open Enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1. The two most expensive mistakes are guessing your income and missing the window.
A licensed Optimized Insurance Plans broker will check your exact subsidy, compare plans across carriers, and enroll you, at no cost to you.
