$0 health insurance plans by state
The income up to which the tax credit covers the whole cheapest Bronze plan, in every state and at three ages.
Yes, many people can get a Marketplace plan for $0 a month. At 2026 prices, a 40-year-old earning $23,940 a year pays $0 for the cheapest Bronze plan after the premium tax credit in 43 of the 50 states and DC. The income limit for a $0 Bronze plan at that age runs from $17,875 in Mississippi to $55,860 in Vermont, and it is higher for older people.
Last updated: October 7, 2026 · Source: Official Marketplace Data · How we calculate this
Income limit for a $0 Bronze plan, by state and age
Each figure is the highest yearly income at which one adult pays $0 for the cheapest Bronze plan near the state's largest city. Earn that or less (but at least 100% of the poverty line) and a $0 plan is available.
| State | Medicaid for adults | Age 30 | Age 40 | Age 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not expanded | $32,878206% FPL | $34,793218% FPL | $54,264340% FPL |
| Alaska | Up to 138% | $48,678244% FPL | $51,870260% FPL | $79,800400% FPL |
| Arizona | Up to 138% | $24,100151% FPL | $25,057157% FPL | $34,154214% FPL |
| Arkansas | Up to 138% | $40,538254% FPL | $43,092270% FPL | $63,840400% FPL |
| California | Up to 138% | at least $21,067132% FPL, Medicaid range | at least $21,067132% FPL, Medicaid range | at least $25,696161% FPL |
| Colorado | Up to 138% | at least $24,259152% FPL | at least $25,376159% FPL | at least $34,633217% FPL |
| Connecticut | Up to 138% | at least $26,653167% FPL | at least $27,930175% FPL | at least $38,942244% FPL |
| Delaware | Up to 138% | $28,568179% FPL | $29,845187% FPL | $42,454266% FPL |
| District of Columbia | Healthy DC Plan up to 200% | The Healthy DC Plan instead | The Healthy DC Plan instead | The Healthy DC Plan instead |
| Florida | Not expanded | $30,643192% FPL | $32,239202% FPL | $46,922294% FPL |
| Georgia | Not expanded | at least $25,536160% FPL | at least $26,813168% FPL | at least $37,027232% FPL |
| Hawaii | Up to 138% | $29,376160% FPL | $30,661167% FPL | $42,412231% FPL |
| Idaho | Up to 138% | at least $28,728180% FPL | at least $30,164189% FPL | at least $42,932269% FPL |
| Illinois | Up to 138% | at least $26,494166% FPL | at least $27,770174% FPL | at least $38,623242% FPL |
| Indiana | Up to 138% | $22,344140% FPL | $23,142145% FPL | $30,643192% FPL |
| Iowa | Up to 138% | $25,855162% FPL | $27,132170% FPL | $37,506235% FPL |
| Kansas | Not expanded | $27,611173% FPL | $28,888181% FPL | $40,698255% FPL |
| Kentucky | Up to 138% | at least $24,100151% FPL | at least $25,217158% FPL | at least $34,154214% FPL |
| Louisiana | Up to 138% | $30,962194% FPL | $32,718205% FPL | $47,561298% FPL |
| Maine | Up to 138% | at least $29,366184% FPL | at least $30,803193% FPL | at least $44,209277% FPL |
| Maryland | Up to 138% | at least $26,174164% FPL | at least $27,451172% FPL | at least $37,985238% FPL |
| Massachusetts | Up to 138% | at least $23,461147% FPL | at least $24,100151% FPL | at least $29,526185% FPL |
| Michigan | Up to 138% | $29,207183% FPL | $30,643192% FPL | $43,890275% FPL |
| Minnesota | MinnesotaCare up to 200% | MinnesotaCare instead | MinnesotaCare instead | MinnesotaCare instead |
| Mississippi | Not expanded | Not at any income | $17,875112% FPL | $22,184139% FPL |
| Missouri | Up to 138% | $26,813168% FPL | $27,930175% FPL | $39,102245% FPL |
| Montana | Up to 138% | $36,868231% FPL | $38,942244% FPL | $63,840400% FPL |
| Nebraska | Up to 138% | $28,409178% FPL | $29,845187% FPL | $42,294265% FPL |
| Nevada | Up to 138% | at least $23,780149% FPL | at least $24,738155% FPL | at least $33,516210% FPL |
| New Hampshire | Up to 138% | $22,025138% FPL | $22,823143% FPL | $30,005188% FPL |
| New Jersey | Up to 138% | at least $23,302146% FPL | at least $24,259152% FPL | at least $32,558204% FPL |
| New Mexico | Up to 138% | at least $27,292171% FPL | at least $28,568179% FPL | at least $40,219252% FPL |
| New York | Essential Plan up to 200% | The Essential Plan instead | The Essential Plan instead | The Essential Plan instead |
| North Carolina | Up to 138% | $28,249177% FPL | $29,526185% FPL | $41,815262% FPL |
| North Dakota | Up to 138% | $26,494166% FPL | $27,770174% FPL | $38,783243% FPL |
| Ohio | Up to 138% | $27,770174% FPL | $29,207183% FPL | $41,177258% FPL |
| Oklahoma | Up to 138% | $27,132170% FPL | $28,409178% FPL | $39,740249% FPL |
| Oregon | OHP Bridge up to 200% | OHP Bridge instead | OHP Bridge instead | OHP Bridge instead |
| Pennsylvania | Up to 138% | at least $29,047182% FPL | at least $30,484191% FPL | at least $43,730274% FPL |
| Rhode Island | Up to 138% | at least $26,334165% FPL | at least $27,611173% FPL | at least $38,304240% FPL |
| South Carolina | Not expanded | $31,122195% FPL | $32,718205% FPL | $47,561298% FPL |
| South Dakota | Up to 138% | $30,164189% FPL | $31,760199% FPL | $45,965288% FPL |
| Tennessee | Not expanded | $32,558204% FPL | $34,474216% FPL | $52,828331% FPL |
| Texas | Not expanded | $31,601198% FPL | $33,356209% FPL | $49,157308% FPL |
| Utah | Up to 138% | $25,057157% FPL | $25,696161% FPL | $34,314215% FPL |
| Vermont | Up to 138% | at least $55,860350% FPL | at least $55,860350% FPL | at least $55,860350% FPL |
| Virginia | Up to 138% | at least $24,100151% FPL | at least $25,217158% FPL | at least $34,314215% FPL |
| Washington | Up to 138% | at least $33,995213% FPL | at least $35,910225% FPL | at least $57,775362% FPL |
| West Virginia | Up to 138% | $39,102245% FPL | $41,656261% FPL | $63,840400% FPL |
| Wisconsin | BadgerCare up to 100% | $30,643192% FPL | $32,080201% FPL | $46,603292% FPL |
| Wyoming | Not expanded | $38,144239% FPL | $40,379253% FPL | $63,840400% FPL |
One non-smoking adult; cheapest Bronze premium near each state's largest city at 2026 rates, scaled from age 30 with the CMS age curve; credit from the 2026 IRS applicable percentage table and the HHS poverty guidelines (Alaska and Hawaii use their own, higher lines). "At least" marks states where we don't yet store the benchmark Silver premium the credit is based on, so the real limit can only be higher. Grey figures fall below the Medicaid line, where adults in that state usually get Medicaid instead. Prices vary by county; the quote tool shows the plans at your ZIP code. How we calculate this
Why a Bronze plan can cost $0
The premium tax credit is the price of your area's benchmark Silver plan minus what the IRS says you should pay for it, a share of your income. The credit can go toward any metal level. When it is larger than the cheapest Bronze premium, that plan costs nothing, and the rest of the credit is not paid out. See the ACA income limits for the income bands, and the cheapest Bronze after the credit by state for what you pay above the $0 limit.
Questions about $0 health insurance
Can I really get health insurance for $0 a month?
Often, yes. The premium tax credit can be larger than the price of the cheapest Bronze plan. At 2026 prices, a 40-year-old earning $23,940 (150% of the poverty line) pays $0 for the cheapest Bronze plan in 43 of the 50 states and DC. Below 138% of the poverty line, adults usually get Medicaid instead in states that expanded it, which is also free.
What is the income limit for a $0 Bronze plan?
It depends on your state and age. For one 40-year-old it runs from about $17,875 a year in Mississippi to $55,860 in Vermont. Older people qualify at higher incomes, because their credit grows with their age-rated premium. The table on this page lists every state at ages 30, 40 and 60.
Why do older people get $0 plans at higher incomes?
What you pay for the benchmark Silver plan is set by your income alone. The credit is the benchmark's price minus that amount, and premiums rise with age, so a 60-year-old's credit is much larger than a 30-year-old's at the same income. That larger credit covers the whole Bronze premium up to a higher income.
What is the catch with a $0 Bronze plan?
The deductible. Bronze plans usually have deductibles of several thousand dollars, so you pay most costs for care until you reach it; preventive care is still free. If your income is under 250% of the poverty line, compare a Silver plan with cost-sharing reductions: it may cost a little each month but have a far lower deductible.
How do I sign up for a $0 plan?
During open enrollment, which starts November 1, through HealthCare.gov or your state's own marketplace. Enter your expected income for the coverage year; the marketplace applies the tax credit and shows which plans come to $0. You can compare them on Policymage first with your ZIP code and income.