Is Affordable Care Act based on income or assets?

Asked by: Emory Deckow  |  Last update: April 17, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (58 votes)

Under the Affordable Care Act, eligibility for income-based Medicaid and subsidized health insurance through the Marketplaces is calculated using a household's Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI).

Does Obamacare look at income or assets?

When you fill out a Marketplace application, you'll need to estimate what your household income for the year. Marketplace savings are based on your expected household income for the year you want coverage, not last year's income. You'll be asked about your current monthly income and then about your yearly income.

What income is used to calculate ACA?

The Marketplace uses a measure of income called Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). It isn't a line on your tax return. Your total household MAGI amount includes countable income for each person listed on your federal income tax return for the year you're getting help paying for coverage.

Can you get Obamacare if you have assets?

The government subsidies are not based on your assets, but only on your income. As a result, anything you earn from the stocks you own, for example, is still income. However, assets in IRAs or plain old bank accounts will not count against you in terms of insurance.

Can you get Obama care if you have money in the bank?

You should be eligible for Medicaid, even though you have some savings, according to Sara Wall Bollinger of HealtheConnections. Her Syracuse agency employs navigators who help people enroll in health plans through the state exchange.

ACA Subsidy Repayment: What to Do When Income is Too Low or Too High | What You Need to Know!!

30 related questions found

Who is not eligible for Affordable Care Act?

You are not eligible for Obamacare if: You do not live in the U.S. You are incarcerated. You are not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawfully present noncitizen in the U.S.

What happens if I underestimate my income for Obamacare in 2024?

For the 2024 tax year, if you underestimated your income and received a larger tax credit than you were eligible for, you must repay the difference between the amount of premium tax credit you received and the amount you were eligible for.

Does Social Security count as income for ACA?

The HealthCare.gov application asks whether consumers receive “Social Security benefits.” When answering this question, consumers must report the following Social Security benefits: SSDI, Social Security retirement income, and Social Security survivor's benefits.

How can I avoid paying back my premium tax credit?

Report any changes in your income during the year to the Marketplace, so your credit can be adjusted and you can avoid any significant repayments at the end of the year.

What counts as income?

Income can be money, property, goods or services. Even if you don't receive a form reporting income, you should report it on your tax return.

What disqualifies you from the premium tax credit?

For tax years other than 2021 and 2022, if your household income on your tax return is more than 400 percent of the federal poverty line for your family size, you are not allowed a premium tax credit and will have to repay all of the advance credit payments made on behalf of you and your tax family members.

What kind of money counts as income?

Generally, you must include in gross income everything you receive in payment for personal services. In addition to wages, salaries, commissions, fees, and tips, this includes other forms of compensation such as fringe benefits and stock options.

Does Obamacare take money from Social Security?

Does Social Security Count as Income for Obamacare? Yes, Social Security disability and retirement benefits do count as income when determining whether you qualify for Obamacare and the premium tax credits.

How does HealthCare.gov verify income?

If you don't expect your income to change for the year you're seeking coverage: You can provide your most recent tax return or W-2s. If you have a different job than you had last year but expect the same income, don't send documents that show income from your old job. Send recent pay stubs from the new job instead.

What is considered income for the Affordable Care Act?

Include: Wages, salaries, tips, etc. Taxable interest. Taxable amount of pension, annuity or IRA distributions and Social Security benefits.

Can you get a refund if your only income is Social Security?

You would not be required to file a tax return. But you might want to file a return, because even though you are not required to pay taxes on your Social Security, you may be able to get a refund of any money withheld from your paycheck for taxes.

Does pension count as income?

Generally, pension and annuity payments are subject to Federal income tax withholding. The withholding rules apply to the taxable part of payments or distributions from an employer pension, annuity, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or other deferred compensation plan.

What happens to my Obamacare when I turn 65?

Your Marketplace coverage will not be cancelled automatically by your plan when you turn 65 and sign up for Medicare, but if you receive premium tax credits to help you pay for your Marketplace plan premium, your eligibility for these tax credits will end when your Medicare Part A coverage starts (people with Medicare ...

Who is not eligible for Obamacare?

Must live in the United States. Must be a U.S. citizen or national (or be lawfully present). Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Cannot be incarcerated in prison or jail.

How is ACA eligibility determined?

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid coverage is extended to nearly all nonelderly adults with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) (about $23,556 for a family of three in 2022) in the 42 states (including DC) that opted to expand as of March 2023.

Can you have Medicare and marketplace insurance at the same time?

The Marketplace doesn't affect your Medicare choices or benefits. This means no matter how you get Medicare, whether through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, you don't have to make any changes.

Who is exempt from ACA?

Hardship exemptions are available for those who cannot afford to pay for health insurance or for whom health insurance would exceed 8.16 percent of their gross household income.