Health Insurance Calculator
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for premium tax credits that lower their monthly health insurance premiums, often substantially, making coverage affordable for people who don't have access to employer-sponsored insurance. This calculator estimates your monthly and annual premium after subsidy, based on your household income, age, and metal tier (bronze, silver, or gold), so you can see what you'd actually pay. Enter your household income, your age, and a metal tier, and the calculator returns your estimated monthly premium after subsidy, the annual premium, and the subsidy value. The metal tiers represent different trade-offs: bronze plans have low premiums and high deductibles (good if you rarely use care), silver is balanced and offers cost-sharing reductions if your income qualifies, and gold plans have high premiums but low out-of-pocket costs (good if you use a lot of care). You likely qualify for a subsidy if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level and you don't have affordable employer coverage — check at HealthCare.gov to confirm. This calculator estimates premiums only; your total healthcare cost also includes deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, which vary by plan and can be significant, so factor those in when comparing tiers. If you have employer-sponsored insurance, this calculator doesn't apply — employer plans have their own premiums and contributions, often subsidized by the employer. Use this calculator to estimate premiums after ACA subsidies, compare bronze, silver, and gold tiers, see the value of premium tax credits, and budget for healthcare costs when shopping the marketplace.
Health Insurance Calculator
Estimate ACA marketplace premiums and premium tax credits (subsidies).
Estimated monthly premium
$300
After subsidy
Annual premium (after subsidy)
$3,600
Annual subsidy
$2,640
Premium tax credit
Under the ACA, households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for premium tax credits that lower monthly premiums. This is a simplified estimate; actual rates vary by region.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your household income.
- 2Enter your age.
- 3Select a metal tier (bronze, silver, or gold).
- 4Read your estimated monthly premium after subsidy.
Why It Helps
- ✓Estimates premiums after ACA subsidies.
- ✓Compares bronze, silver, and gold tiers.
- ✓Shows the value of premium tax credits.
- ✓Helps budget for healthcare costs.
About This Calculator
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify for premium tax credits that lower their monthly health insurance premiums, often substantially, making coverage affordable for people who don't have access to employer-sponsored insurance. This calculator estimates your monthly and annual premium after subsidy, based on your household income, age, and metal tier (bronze, silver, or gold), so you can see what you'd actually pay. Enter your household income, your age, and a metal tier, and the calculator returns your estimated monthly premium after subsidy, the annual premium, and the subsidy value. The metal tiers represent different trade-offs: bronze plans have low premiums and high deductibles (good if you rarely use care), silver is balanced and offers cost-sharing reductions if your income qualifies, and gold plans have high premiums but low out-of-pocket costs (good if you use a lot of care). You likely qualify for a subsidy if your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level and you don't have affordable employer coverage — check at HealthCare.gov to confirm. This calculator estimates premiums only; your total healthcare cost also includes deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, which vary by plan and can be significant, so factor those in when comparing tiers. If you have employer-sponsored insurance, this calculator doesn't apply — employer plans have their own premiums and contributions, often subsidized by the employer. Use this calculator to estimate premiums after ACA subsidies, compare bronze, silver, and gold tiers, see the value of premium tax credits, and budget for healthcare costs when shopping the marketplace.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or investment advice. Results depend on assumptions that may not reflect your actual situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are ACA premium tax credits?
Subsidies that lower monthly premiums for households earning 100-400% of the federal poverty level, capping premium costs as a percentage of income.
What is the difference between metal tiers?
Bronze has low premiums and high deductibles; silver is balanced (and offers cost-sharing reductions if eligible); gold has high premiums and low out-of-pocket costs.
Do I qualify for a subsidy?
If your household income is between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level and you don't have affordable employer coverage, you likely qualify. Check at HealthCare.gov.
Does this include deductibles and out-of-pocket costs?
No. This estimates premiums only. Your total healthcare cost also includes deductibles, copays, and coinsurance, which vary by plan.
What if I have employer-sponsored insurance?
This calculator is for the ACA marketplace. Employer plans have their own premiums and contributions, often subsidized by the employer.
Related Calculators
Related Guides
Written by
James MitchellSenior Financial Analyst & Personal Finance Expert
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) • MBA in Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business