First, you should visit HealthCare.gov to see if you qualify for premium tax credits or Medicaid based on your income, which can significantly lower the cost of coverage. There is no income limit on eligibility for premium tax credits, which cap your premium contribution at a percentage of your annual household income, so most people will do better to buy coverage through the health insurance Marketplace. Plans available through HealthCare.gov are also guaranteed to provide the Affordable Care Act’s protections, including a comprehensive set of benefits and limits on cost-sharing that can save you money when you access health services.
If you decide to forgo coverage in the health insurance Marketplace, you can try to shop for similar coverage that still provides the Affordable Care Act’s protections outside of the Marketplace. To access these plans, contact your state’s department of insurance for a list of reputable brokers that can help you shop for minimum essential coverage.
There may be other coverage options available outside of the Marketplace that do not provide the Affordable Care Act’s protections. These include plans that are not traditional health insurance products, including short-term, limited duration insurance; association health plans; health care sharing ministries; and farm bureau plans. If an insurer or entity cannot provide a Summary of Benefits and Coverage that indicates coverage is minimum essential coverage, be aware that the plan may have coverage limitations, particularly for pre-existing health conditions or for basic medical care. Always insist on getting plan documents to review prior to buying a plan.