In short: The place to compare federal marketplace health plans; enrollment is mainly during open enrollment and premiums apply.
- Free to browse
- Official CMS site
- Mainly open enrollment
- Not tested by us
Before you sign up
Checked 2026-09-28 · based on official and public sources · not tested by us
Federal marketplace to compare and enroll in health plans and check subsidy or Medicaid eligibility.
Data sheet
Compiled from the public sources linked below
| What it does | Federal marketplace to compare and enroll in health insurance plans and check subsidy or Medicaid eligibility. |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free to browse and apply; premiums apply. |
| Sign-up | Account required; US residency and income information. |
| Operator | Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) |
| Caution | Serves the US only (some states use their own sites). Enrollment mainly during open enrollment. |
When to use it
US residents without employer coverage in states that use the federal exchange, especially around open enrollment.
Before you use it
Enrollment happens mainly during open enrollment, and premiums apply. Some states use their own sites instead.
How to use it
- Go to healthcare.gov and create an account
- Enter your residency and income information
- Compare plans and check subsidy or Medicaid eligibility
Why people use it
It is the federal exchange for residents of states without their own exchange; 11.4 million people selected coverage through it in 2019.
Checked 2026-09-28 · compiled from public sources; we have not tested it ourselves. Terms change, so check the official pages before you rely on it. · Official site · Wikipedia: HealthCare.gov