Health Insurance Marketplace

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A service that helps people shop for and enroll in health insurance. The federal government operates the Health Insurance Marketplace®, available at HealthCare.gov, for most states. Some states run their own Marketplaces. The Health Insurance Marketplace® (also known as the “Marketplace” or “exchange”) provides health plan shopping and enrollment services through websites, call centers, and in-person help.

Related Articles:
  • Glossary: Advance Premium Tax Credit [APTC]
    A tax credit you can take in advance to lower your monthly health insurance payment (or “premium”). When you apply for coverage in the Health Insurance Marketplace®, you estimate your expected income for the year. If you qualify for a premium tax credit based on your estimate, you can use any amount of the credit in advance to lower your premium.
  • Glossary: Bronze Health Plan
    One of 4 plan categories (also known as “metal levels”) in the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Bronze plans usually have the lowest monthly premiums but the highest costs when you get care. They can be a good choice if you usually use few medical services and mostly want protection from very high costs if you get seriously sick or injured.
  • Glossary: Cost Sharing Reduction
    A discount that lowers the amount you have to pay for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. In the Health Insurance Marketplace®, cost-sharing reductions are often called “extra savings.” If you qualify, you must enroll in a plan in the Silver category to get the extra savings.
  • Glossary: Exchange
    Another term for the Health Insurance Marketplace®, a service available in every state that helps individuals, families, and small businesses shop for and enroll in affordable medical insurance.
  • Glossary: Gold Health Plan
    One of 4 health plan categories (or “metal levels”) in the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Gold plans usually have higher monthly premiums but lower costs when you get care. Gold may be a good choice if you use a lot of medical services or would rather pay more up front and know that you’ll pay less when you get care.
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