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Home › ACA Subsidy Calculator
Free Estimator ToolACA subsidy & health insurance cost calculator.
See what you could save. Estimate your subsidy and your monthly cost in under a minute, with Bronze, Silver and Gold plan estimates. Free, and no obligation.
Instant subsidy estimate
Powered by the ACA premium tax credit formula
Access to major U.S. carriers
Carrier names are trademarks of their respective owners. Saintellus Health Advisory is an independent advisor.
How the ACA subsidy works
The government caps how much of your income you should pay for health insurance. If a benchmark plan costs more than that cap, the difference is your subsidy.
- 1Your income vs the poverty level
Your subsidy is based on household income compared with the federal poverty level for your household size.
- 2Your expected contribution
The ACA sets a percentage of income you are expected to pay, on a sliding scale. Lower income means a smaller percentage.
- 3The subsidy fills the gap
If the benchmark Silver plan costs more than your expected contribution, a premium tax credit covers the rest. That credit is your subsidy.
- 4You pick any plan
Apply your subsidy to a Bronze, Silver or Gold plan. Bronze is often cheapest — but under 250% of poverty, Silver carries cost-sharing reductions that usually make it the better buy.
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Leave a Google Review →Common questions
How accurate is this estimate?
The subsidy formula itself is exact — it is set in federal regulation, and this tool applies it as written. What is estimated is the benchmark premium, because that varies by county and this tool works from your state average adjusted for age. Expect the shape of the answer to be right and the dollar figure to move once an advisor prices the actual plans filed in your county.
Is the ACA subsidy cliff back in 2027?
Yes. The enhanced premium tax credits that ran from 2021 through 2025 expired on January 1, 2026 and have not been restored. A household above 400% of the federal poverty level receives no premium tax credit for 2027 coverage.
What income should I enter?
Modified adjusted gross income for everyone on your tax return, estimated for the coverage year — not last year's figure. If you are self-employed, use net income after business expenses, not gross receipts. That single distinction is the most common reason people wrongly believe they do not qualify.
Why is Gold sometimes close to Silver?
Because of silver loading. Insurers load the cost of cost-sharing reductions onto Silver premiums, which inflates Silver relative to the other tiers. In some markets that makes Gold nearly as cheap as Silver, with better benefits. It is county-specific and worth checking rather than assuming.
Estimates use the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines, the IRS applicable percentage table for 2027 (Rev. Proc. 2026–26), the CMS default standard age curve, and 2026 average benchmark Silver premiums by state. This is an estimate, not a quote, and not tax advice. Actual eligibility is determined by the Marketplace.
