PlanTrueCost — ACA Plan Cost
The sticker premium isn't your real cost of an ACA marketplace plan. Enter your income, household size, the benchmark (second-lowest-cost Silver) premium in your area, your chosen plan's premium, and the out-of-pocket you expect. This estimates your Premium Tax Credit, your net premium after the subsidy, and the true annual cost including expected out-of-pocket — so you can run it for each plan and rank them by what you'd actually spend.
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Worked example
Learn the method
Inputs
- Annual household income (MAGI) $
45000 - Household size
3 - Where you live
48 states + DC / Alaska / Hawaii - Benchmark Silver premium $/mo (2nd-lowest Silver)
550 - Your chosen plan's premium $/mo
480 - Expected out-of-pocket $/yr (deductible, copays)
2000 - Subsidy rule
Current law — 400% cliff (2026) / Enhanced (8.5% cap)
Frequently asked
Where do I find the benchmark premium?
It's the second-lowest-cost Silver plan for your household in your area — healthcare.gov (or your state marketplace) shows it during window-shopping. The subsidy is calculated from that benchmark, not from the plan you pick.
Why does it use last year's poverty guideline?
By rule, the Marketplace locks in the poverty guideline from the start of open enrollment, so 2026 coverage uses the 2025 guideline. This tool does that automatically.
Is the 400% cliff on or off?
Under current 2026 law it's ON — the enhanced subsidies (which capped premiums at 8.5% of income with no upper limit) expired at the end of 2025 and, as of mid-2026, were not extended. Flip the toggle to model the enhanced scenario if it's restored.