A quick guide to the Marketplace

A one-page guide to the Health Insurance Marketplace

Here’s an overview of the Health Insurance Marketplace, sometimes known as the health insurance "exchange."

An easy way to get health coverage

The Marketplace helps people without health coverage enroll in a high-quality plan online, by phone, or with a paper application.

When you apply we’ll tell you if you qualify for:

A health insurance plan with savings based on your income. Most people who apply qualify for premium tax credits that lower the costs of coverage. All plans cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions, and preventive care.
- Deadlines: Enroll by December 15 for coverage starting January 1, 2015. You can enroll until February 15, 2015. After that, you can’t get 2015 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs provide free or low-cost coverage to millions of families with limited income. Many states are expanding Medicaid to cover more people. See if your state is expanding coverage.
- No deadlines: You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year. If you qualify, coverage can begin immediately.

You’re considered covered if you have any job-based plan, any plan you bought yourself, Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and many other kinds of coverage. See a full list.
Most people must have health coverage or pay a fee. If you don’t have coverage in 2015, you’ll pay a penalty of either 2% of your income, or $325 per adult ($162.50 per child) — whichever is higher.
Some people qualify for an exemption from the fee based on income or other situations.