UnitedHealthcare Individual & Family ACA Marketplace plans

ACA Marketplace plans are health care plans that people can buy on their own, rather than through an employer or another government-run program, like Medicare or Medicaid. You might also hear these plans called Exchange plans or Individual & Family plans. The health care Marketplace (also called the Exchange) is where ACA health care plans are sold. 

Anyone who meets these requirements can purchase a plan. However, any financial help that may be available (like subsidies) is based on household income.

You may qualify for financial subsidies (savings) from the government that help lower your premiums when you enroll in ACA Marketplace coverage. These subsidies could be tax credits or cost-sharing reductions to help pay for your health care costs. How much help you get depends on how much money you make. 

See if you’re eligible for savings with our subsidy estimator

On-exchange plans are plans you purchase through the health insurance Marketplace (also called the Exchange), which is run by the federal government. These plans are ACA-compliant, meaning they must cover 10 essential health benefits for consumers. If you’re shopping on-exchange plans, you may be eligible for financial help in the form of monthly premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions. 

Off-exchange plans are health insurance plans you buy directly from an insurance company or broker, outside of the health insurance Marketplace. Off-exchange plans are still ACA-compliant, providing minimum coverage and essential health benefits, but may offer more flexibility in coverage options. One of the biggest differences with an off-exchange plan is that you won't be eligible for the premium subsidies and cost-sharing reductions available on the Exchange.  

The open enrollment period for 2027 ACA Marketplace plans starts November 1, 2026 and ends January 15, 2027. For coverage starting January 1, 2027, you must enroll by December 15, 2026 (in most states).

For more information about enrollment dates, view the latest changes and updates for 2027 ACA Marketplace plans.

ACA Marketplace plans are organized into categories, or metal levels — Bronze, Silver and Gold. These metal levels specify how you and your health plan will split the cost of care. Here’s an overview of each level:

• Bronze – typically offers plans with the lowest cost sharing. This means you’ll pay lower monthly premiums, but higher costs when you get care. 
• Silver – generally has plans with higher monthly premiums than Bronze, but with a lower annual deductible. With a Silver plan, you may qualify for cost-sharing reductions in addition to premium tax credits to further reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
• Gold – these plans usually cost more in monthly premiums than Silver, but with a lower deductible. This means your plan starts paying its cost-sharing portion sooner and you pay less when you get care.

You can change your plan during the annual open enrollment period (OEP), which typically runs from November 1 to January 15 in most states. You may be able to change your ACA Marketplace plan outside of the open enrollment period if you have a qualifying life event (like turning 26, getting married or having a baby) and qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. 

To make changes to your plan or personal information, follow the instructions based on where you enrolled in your plan.  

• If you signed up for your plan through a broker, contact them and they can help you make changes 
• If you signed up through the Marketplace or UnitedHealthcare, go to healthcare.gov and follow the directions on the website