Will the Affordable Care Act be available in 2023?

Yes, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, was fully available and active in 2023, with record enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplaces and continued enhanced subsidies making coverage more affordable, even as the open enrollment period for 2023 coverage ran from late 2022 into early 2023.

Will there be any subsidies for ACA in 2026?

Yes, ACA subsidies will still exist in 2026, but the enhanced, pandemic-era subsidies expired at the end of 2025, meaning most people will see smaller subsidies or higher premium costs unless Congress acts, potentially leading to premium increases of over 100% for many and a return to the "subsidy cliff" (no aid over 400% of poverty level). You'll still get help based on income, but it will revert to pre-2021 levels, with potential for large tax credit repayments if your income fluctuates. 

Does the IRS still penalize you for not having health insurance?

While there is no longer a federal tax penalty for being uninsured, some states (CA, MA, NJ, and RI) and DC have enacted individual mandates and may apply a state tax penalty if you lack health coverage for the year.

What is the ACA called now?

Although you've likely heard of Obamacare, you may not know that Obamacare is synonymous with the Affordable Care Act. This healthcare law that passed in 2010 goes by a few different names. You may also see this law referenced as PPACA or ACA (the acronym for Affordable Care Act).

Is there a difference between Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act?

There is no difference between the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Obamacare; they are two names for the same U.S. federal law, formally the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed by President Obama in 2010 to expand health insurance access and affordability, with "Obamacare" being a popular nickname used during its debate and rollout, while the ACA is the official title.
 

Health care premiums expected to rise for Affordable Care Act enrollees

Who is not eligible for the Affordable Care Act?

Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.

What is the downside of ACA?

The main disadvantages of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) include higher premiums and deductibles for some, particularly those without subsidies; limited provider networks as insurers shrunk options to control costs; complexity and administrative burdens, especially for small businesses; reduced choice in some areas; and the perception by some of it being a government overreach, with criticisms about rising costs and taxpayer burdens. 

Is the Affordable Care Act still active in 2025?

Yes, "Obamacare" (the Affordable Care Act or ACA) still exists in 2025, but the enhanced premium tax credits that made plans so affordable expired on December 31, 2025, meaning many people faced significantly higher premiums starting January 1, 2026, unless Congress acts to restore them, which was a major topic of debate at the end of 2025.
 

What is the highest income to qualify for Obamacare?

For Obamacare (ACA) subsidies, there's technically no upper income limit through 2025 due to special extensions (Inflation Reduction Act), making subsidies available if benchmark plan costs exceed 8.5% of income; however, for traditional subsidy eligibility (before 2026), the cutoff is generally 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), which for 2025 coverage is around $62,600 for one person or $128,600 for a family of four, but this limit returns in 2026 unless extended again. 

Can I buy private health insurance at any time?

Buying private health insurance: FAQs

Private health insurance coverage can be purchased during the Open Enrollment Period or after a life-changing event occurs that allows for a 60-day special enrollment period. You cannot buy private health insurance outside of these specific situations.

What is the $600 rule in the IRS?

Initially included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the lower 1099-K threshold was meant to close tax gaps by flagging more digital income. It required platforms to report any user earning $600 or more, regardless of how many transactions they had.

What happens if you can't afford healthcare in America?

If you can't afford healthcare in America, you risk significant medical debt, financial ruin (including bankruptcy), and worsening health from delaying care, but you can access free/low-cost options like Medicaid, Community Health Centers, and hospital financial assistance (charity care), though you'll still face full costs for most non-emergency services without insurance. Emergency care is guaranteed, but you'll be billed later. 

Does the IRS check if you had health insurance?

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is required by state and federal law to send Form 1095-B information to the IRS and FTB for the purpose of validating months of health coverage reported by the person filing their state and/or federal taxes.

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their social security?

You qualify for an extra ~$144 on your Social Security check if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with a "Part B Giveback" benefit, which refunds some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, appearing as extra cash in your check, but eligibility depends on living in the plan's service area and paying your own Part B premiums. The "144" figure was common when the Part B premium was around that amount, but the actual refund varies by plan and location, potentially exceeding the full premium. 

What does Dave Ramsey say about Medicare?

Dave Ramsey's Medicare advice centers on planning ahead, understanding enrollment periods to avoid penalties, using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) if possible, and supplementing Original Medicare with Medigap or Medicare Advantage (Part C) to cover gaps like dental, vision, and long-term care, stressing that mistakes can be costly and recommending expert advice for personalized choices. 

How much will Social Security take out for Medicare in 2026?

In 2026, most people will have $202.90 per month deducted from their Social Security check for Medicare Part B, an increase of $17.90 from 2025, with higher-income earners paying more (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount - IRMAA). Part A (hospital) is premium-free for most, while some may pay for Part D (prescriptions) via their Social Security. 

Is $40,000 a year considered poverty?

Whether $40,000 a year is considered poverty depends heavily on your household size and location, but generally, it's well above the official poverty line for individuals and small families but can feel like poverty in high-cost areas or for larger families, as it's often considered lower-middle class, not poverty. For a single person in the contiguous U.S. in 2025, the poverty guideline is about $15,650; for a family of four, it's around $32,150, meaning $40k is above poverty, but proximity to the poverty line for larger families or high-cost states (AK/HI) makes it much tighter, with some federal programs using 130-200% of FPL to define "low income". 

Does social security count as income?

You report the taxable portion of your Social Security benefits on line 6b of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Your benefits may be taxable if the total of (1) one-half of your benefits, plus (2) all of your other income, including tax-exempt interest, is greater than the base amount for your filing status.

Can you make too much for Obama care?

Even if your income is too high to get help paying for a health plan, you can still buy a plan through Covered California. You can also sign up for a plan on your own.

Why do people want to get rid of the Affordable Care Act?

Despite these positive changes, a near majority of Americans still oppose the ACA, even though they approve of most of its features. They oppose the mandate that all Americans must have health insurance (the individual mandate), and they oppose a government role in health care.

Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?

If you don't get premium-free Part A, you pay up to $565 each month. If you don't buy Part A when you're first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65), you might pay a penalty. Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($202.90 in 2026).

What is the 95% rule for ACA?

The State of California is subject to the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Employer Shared Responsibility provision which requires large employers to offer affordable health coverage that provides minimum value to at least 95 percent of its full-time employees and their dependents to avoid a penalty assessment.

What do doctors think of the Affordable Care Act?

Forty-three percent of physicians believed the ACA has had a negative impact on the affordability of health insurance coverage and 34 percent believed the ACA had a negative impact on the ability of their practices to meet patient demand (Exhibit 3).

What country is #1 in health care?

There's no single "number one," but Singapore consistently ranks top for overall health system performance and efficiency in many global analyses, with Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland often close behind for strong outcomes, access, and quality, though rankings vary by report (like Commonwealth Fund vs. Legatum Institute). These leaders excel in areas like low mortality, high life expectancy, and accessible care, utilizing innovative financing like Singapore's '3Ms' (MediSave, MediShield Life, MediFund).
 

Is it better to have a $500 deductible or $1 000 health insurance?

Doubling your deductible to $1,000 could save you up to 40 percent. For example, on average, a $500 deductible costs $125/month, or $1,500/year, in premiums. The average for a $1,000 deductible is about $110/month, or $1,337/year.