Updated July 22, 2026 · current for the 2026-2027 plan year
See how much you could save on health insurance. Estimate your subsidy and your monthly cost in under a minute, with Bronze, Silver, and Gold plan estimates. Free, and no obligation.
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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.
Your subsidy is based on your household income compared to the federal poverty level for your household size.
The ACA sets a percentage of income you are expected to pay, on a sliding scale. Lower income means a smaller percentage.
If the benchmark Silver plan costs more than your expected contribution, a premium tax credit covers the rest. That credit is your subsidy.
Apply your subsidy to a Bronze, Silver, or Gold plan. A Bronze plan is often cheaper, sometimes even zero dollars per month after the subsidy.
It gives a close estimate for planning using the ACA subsidy formula and household size. Your exact subsidy depends on your zip code and the specific plans sold in your area. For the precise number and real plan prices, a licensed advisor can check it for you at no cost.
Most people who buy their own coverage and do not have affordable insurance through an employer qualify for a premium tax credit based on income. For 2026 and 2027, the enhanced pandemic-era subsidies have expired, so eligibility runs from 100% up to 400% of the federal poverty level — roughly $63,000 for a single person and $128,600 for a family of four — with a hard cutoff above 400% (the subsidy cliff). Very low income households may qualify for Medicaid instead. We check exactly what you qualify for at no cost.
So a licensed advisor can follow up with the real plans and prices in your ZIP code, which a calculator cannot know. Your email is optional. We never sell your information, and there is no cost or obligation for the estimate or the follow-up call.
Subsidies are calculated using the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your area, called the benchmark. You can apply the same subsidy to a cheaper Bronze plan to lower your monthly cost, or a Gold plan for richer coverage.
Yes. VS Health Benefits is a licensed independent brokerage paid by the insurance carriers, not by you. Comparing plans and enrolling with an advisor costs the same as doing it yourself, so you get expert help at no extra charge.