Who qualifies for $0/month ACA coverage in Ohio?

Generally: an Ohio household earning 138-150% of the federal poverty level qualifies for $0 Silver plans in most counties (under 138% FPL is covered by Ohio Medicaid). A household earning up to 200% FPL can usually find a $0 Bronze plan. Higher incomes (up to 400% FPL and beyond, thanks to the IRA-extended subsidy cap of 8.5% of income) often qualify for heavily subsidized plans — sometimes $0 in cheaper-cost Ohio counties like Lucas (Toledo) or Mahoning (Youngstown). Single person under $22,500 income or family of 4 under $46,200 = strong $0 candidates.

What's the second-lowest-cost Silver plan benchmark in Franklin County, OH for 2026?

In Franklin County (Columbus) for 2026, the benchmark second-lowest-cost Silver plan for a 40-year-old is approximately $430/month before subsidy, depending on the exact ZIP. Most enrollees in that income bracket see the Premium Tax Credit cover the full benchmark, meaning $0/mo for the benchmark and several other Silver options. Call (866) 534-1886 for the exact benchmark in your ZIP — it changes by county and updates annually.

Does Ohio Medicaid cover me if I earn under 138% FPL?

Ohio expanded Medicaid under the ACA, so adults earning up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (roughly $21,597 single or $44,367 family of 4 in 2026) qualify for Medicaid at no cost. If you earn between 138% and 400% FPL, you qualify for ACA Premium Tax Credits — most enrollees in this band get a $0/mo plan. Either way, you have a path to coverage. Call (866) 534-1886 for help choosing.

Most households overpay $1,200–$5,000/year by not checking their subsidy.

2026 plan year · Most households qualify

Get $0/month health insurance in Ohio — if you qualify.

The IRA-extended Premium Tax Credit means about 65% of ACA Marketplace enrollees pay $10/month or less for real coverage. Ohio has roughly 450K ACA Marketplace enrollees — find out in 60 seconds whether you're one who qualifies for $0/month — free, no email, no signup, no spam.

Call (866) 534-1886 Or check eligibility →

4.9 from 1,847 reviews 150,000+ families helped All 50 states · NPN 21006123 No credit check · no spam · no upsell

60-second eligibility check

No email or phone required. Math runs in your browser.

ZIP code Used to find your county's exact benchmark plan — never shared, never sold.

Your age Your age affects the rate. 50+ often gets the biggest subsidies.

Household size Include your spouse + any dependents who need to be on the plan.

Household income Best guess. Self-employed: estimate gross. W-2: last paystub × 12. Adjust later.

Tap any field for help. Math runs in your browser — nothing is sent or saved.

Estimate based on 2026 IRA-extended schedule. Final price varies by county benchmark plan.

Average premium for households below 200% FPL

~65%

Of ACA enrollees pay under $10/mo after subsidy

60sec

To check your eligibility — no email needed

2,800

Ohio families served by SilverEdge

Real plans from 40+ carriers including

BlueCross BlueShield UnitedHealthcare Aetna · CVS Cigna Florida Blue Oscar Health Ambetter Molina Healthcare Kaiser Permanente

Who qualifies in 2026

Your income bracket vs. likely $0 plan availability.

Rough guide for the 2026 plan year. Actual subsidy varies by county and the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your ZIP.

Household size →	1 person	2 people	3 people	Family of 4
$0 plan likely	≤ $22,500	≤ $30,500	≤ $38,500	≤ $46,500
$0 Bronze likely / $0 Silver possible	$22,500 – $30,000	$30,500 – $40,000	$38,500 – $51,000	$46,500 – $62,000
Subsidized (low-$ plan)	$30,000 – $60,000	$40,000 – $80,000	$51,000 – $100,000	$62,000 – $125,000
Capped at 8.5% of income (IRA-extended)	$60,000+	$80,000+	$100,000+	$125,000+

These bands are guidance, not law. The actual rule: your share of the second-lowest-cost Silver plan in your county is capped at 0–8.5% of household income (IRA schedule, through 2026). Below 150% FPL = 0%. Use the calculator above for a fast estimate, or call (866) 534-1886 for the exact number for your ZIP.

Bronze tier

$0/month possible

Lowest premium
Highest deductible (~$7,500)
No Cost-Sharing Reductions
Best for: rarely use care

Silver + CSR

$0/month + low deductible

$0 premium for most under 200% FPL
Cost-Sharing Reductions slash deductible to as low as $0–$300
Lower copays + max out-of-pocket
Best for: anyone under 250% FPL

Gold tier

$25–60/month typical

Rich benefits, low copays
Mid-range deductible (~$1,500)
No CSR even if income-eligible
Best for: high-usage households over 250% FPL

Most $0-eligible households should pick Silver + CSR — it pairs the $0 premium with the deductible reduction. Bronze sounds equal but skips the CSR benefit.

How $0 plans actually work

It's real coverage — the government just pays the premium.

Most people assume $0/month means "junk plan" or "catch." It's neither. Here's the actual mechanics.

The Premium Tax Credit pays your premium

The federal government pre-pays your insurance carrier the difference between what you can afford (0–8.5% of income) and what the benchmark Silver plan in your county costs. You see $0 on your bill; the carrier gets paid in full.

Real plans from real carriers

$0 plans are standard Marketplace plans from Florida Blue, Oscar, UnitedHealthcare, Ambetter, Molina, and 40+ other carriers. Same benefits, same network as their full-price plans. The only thing changing is who writes the check for your premium.

Guaranteed acceptance, no health questions

Marketplace plans cannot deny you for preexisting conditions, charge more for being sick, or ask health questions. If you fit the eligibility window (Open Enrollment Nov 1–Jan 15, or a Special Enrollment Period), you're in.

What people miss

3 things to watch out for before you enroll.

$0 premium ≠ $0 care

Deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums still apply. If your income is under 250% FPL, you also qualify for Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSR) on Silver plans — which slash the deductible too. Always pair $0 premium with a Silver plan if you might use care — it's the only tier eligible for CSR.

Network matters more than premium

$0 plans are often HMOs with narrower networks. If your favorite doctor or hospital isn't in-network, you're paying out-of-pocket. Confirm your doctors before enrolling — we do this free in a 10-minute call.

Subsidy is based on projected income

You estimate your income for the coverage year. If you under-estimate and actually earn more, you may have to repay part of the subsidy at tax time. If you earn less, you get extra credit back as a refund. Honest estimates avoid surprises — we'll walk you through the safe range for your situation.

Real members · real savings

What $0/month coverage actually looks like.

★★★★★

$8,640/yr

vs. what they were paying for COBRA

"Lost my job in March, panicked when COBRA quoted me $720/month for the same coverage. SilverEdge called me back the same day, switched me to a $0/month Silver plan with the same network. Two-week turnaround start to finish."

Verified member · Family of 4

Columbus, OH · Enrolled Apr 2026

★★★★★

$4,200/yr

vs. uninsured + paying retail

"I'm self-employed and just assumed I couldn't afford insurance, so I went without for two years. SilverEdge ran my numbers — turns out I qualified for a $14/month Silver plan with a $300 deductible. Should have called years ago."

Verified member · Self-employed

Houston, TX · Enrolled Feb 2026

★★★★★

$6,500/yr

vs. their old marketplace plan

"We had a Marketplace plan but were paying $480/month because nobody told us to update our income when my husband retired. They filed the SEP, re-enrolled us, and our new premium is $0. Just from updating the income field."

Verified member · Married couple

Atlanta, GA · Enrolled Jan 2026

Names withheld for privacy. All savings figures verified against prior premium statements. Pulled from 1,847 reviews averaging 4.9/5.

No pressure · no surprises

Here's exactly what happens when you call.

One 10–15 minute call gets you from "wondering" to "enrolled." We never use voicemail spam, we never share your data, and the help is free.

First 60 seconds

Confirm eligibility

Quick income + household questions. We pull the exact 2026 benchmark for your county and tell you instantly which plans hit $0.

Minutes 2–8

Compare actual plans

We screen-share the live Marketplace, narrow to your $0 options across 40+ carriers, and verify your doctors and prescriptions are in-network.

Minutes 9–15

Enroll on the call

If you like a plan, we enroll you right there. Coverage starts the 1st of next month. We email you the policy + carrier ID instructions before we hang up.

Start your free call · (866) 534-1886

Want us to verify your doctor or prescription is covered first?

Drop the name of your primary doctor, hospital, or main prescription. We'll check it against your $0 plan options before you commit to anything.

Phone not your thing?

Pick how we connect.

Same licensed advisor, same $0 fee, same outcome — just on your terms.

Text us

Faster than email. We reply same-day during business hours. Tap below — opens your messages app with a quick starter, edit before sending.

Text (866) 534-1886 →

Schedule a callback

Pick a time that works — mornings, evenings, weekends. We'll call you within the 15-min window you choose. No "between 9 and 5" nonsense.

Send your preferred time →

Outside business hours? Use this option — we'll text you to confirm at open.

Special Enrollment Period · 60-day window

Lost job-based coverage in the last 60 days?

You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period — but the window closes 60 days after your coverage ended. After that, you wait until November 1 Open Enrollment, with a coverage gap that could cost thousands. SilverEdge confirms SEP eligibility and enrolls you in 24–48 hours.

Call (866) 534-1886 — same-day SEP filing

Real questions

Frequently asked.

Are $0/month ACA plans real or a scam?

Real. They're standard Marketplace plans from major carriers (Florida Blue, Oscar, UnitedHealthcare, Ambetter, Molina) where the federal Premium Tax Credit covers 100% of your monthly premium. About 50–65% of ACA enrollees pay $10/month or less after subsidy. It's not "free insurance" — it's regular insurance the government pays for on your behalf based on income.

Who actually qualifies for $0/month coverage?

A household earning 100–150% of the federal poverty level usually qualifies for $0 Silver plans in most counties. Up to 200% FPL can often find a $0 Bronze. Higher incomes (up to 400%+ FPL, thanks to the IRA-extended 8.5% cap) often qualify for heavily subsidized plans — sometimes $0 in cheaper-cost counties. Single person under ~$22,500 income or family of 4 under ~$46,500 = strong $0 candidates. Use the calculator above for your specific situation.

What's the catch?

No catch on the premium side — the government really does pay it. But: (1) deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums still apply — $0 premium doesn't mean $0 care. (2) Networks vary — confirm your doctors are in-network before enrolling. (3) Subsidy is based on projected income — if your income spikes during the year, you might owe some subsidy back at tax time. We explain all this on a free 10-minute call.

When can I enroll?

Annual Open Enrollment: November 1 — January 15. Outside that window, you need a Special Enrollment Period triggered by a qualifying life event: loss of job-based coverage (60-day window), marriage, baby, divorce, move to a new state, or a major income change. We confirm SEP eligibility in 60 seconds — call (866) 534-1886.

Do I have to give my email or phone to check eligibility?

No. Use the calculator above — zero email, zero phone, zero signup. If you want a real advisor to compare actual plans in your ZIP, call (866) 534-1886 or text us. We never sell your information.

Why does SilverEdge offer this free?

Carriers (Florida Blue, UnitedHealthcare, etc.) pay licensed agencies a standard commission when we help you enroll — at the same rate regardless of which plan you pick. So there's no incentive for us to push you toward a specific carrier. You pay $0 for the help; we get paid by the carrier you choose.

How fast can I have coverage?

During Open Enrollment, coverage starts the first of the next month if you enroll by the 15th (the 1st of the month after that if you enroll between the 16th and end of month). Special Enrollment Period coverage starts the first of the next month after your SEP application is approved. Loss-of-coverage SEPs are typically processed same-day.

What if I'm 65 or older?

If you're 65+, you're eligible for Medicare, not ACA — and Medicare almost always wins on cost + coverage. We help both. Call (866) 534-1886 and we'll route you to a Medicare-licensed advisor at no charge.

Find out in 60 seconds. Free.

Real licensed advisor, every state, no spam, no upsell. The same call helps you confirm SEP eligibility, run subsidy math, check your doctors, and enroll — typically in one 15-minute call.

Call (866) 534-1886 Or text us

⭐ 4.9/5 from 1,847 verified members · 150,000+ families served · NPN 21006123 · Licensed in all 50 states

About this page. SilverEdge Insurance Advisors (NPN 21006123) is a licensed insurance brokerage operated by WWIA LLC dba SilverEdge Insurance Advisors & SilverEdge Advisors. We are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government, the federal Marketplace, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. We do not offer every plan available in your area; we currently represent 40+ ACA Marketplace carriers nationwide. Please contact HealthCare.gov or your state's Marketplace for the complete list of plans available to you.

"$0/month" estimates. Premium subsidy depends on household income, family size, your county's benchmark Silver plan, and the IRA-extended Premium Tax Credit schedule (in effect through plan year 2026). Actual premium and total cost (premium + deductible + copays + max out-of-pocket) vary by plan. The calculator on this page provides an estimate only; a licensed advisor will confirm the exact subsidy for your county before enrollment.