Is HealthCare.gov a legitimate government site?

Asked by: Patience Jacobson  |  Last update: October 28, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (70 votes)

Get health coverage information from official government websites, like HealthCare.gov, and print materials. Check for official government seals, logos, and web addresses ending in “. gov.”

Is HealthCare.gov a legit website?

HealthCare.gov is a health insurance exchange website operated by the United States federal government under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), informally referred to as "Obamacare", which currently serves the residents of the U.S. states which have opted not to create their own state exchanges.

Is HealthCare.gov worth it?

Consumers who went on HealthCare.gov, compared plans, and selected the plan that best fit their health and financial needs paid 38 percent less per month on average than the consumers whose plans were automatically renewed. Plans purchased on HealthCare.gov are comprehensive and guaranteed to cover the essentials.

Why is the health insurance marketplace asking for my Social Security number?

When you apply, we verify the information you provide with these organizations and agencies to determine your eligibility to purchase a qualified health plan through the Marketplace and, if you choose, for help paying for health coverage: Social Security may verify your Social Security Numbers and citizenship status.

Does HealthCare.gov go by income?

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 Is The HealthCare.gov Health Insurance Marketplace?

16 related questions found

Why is my HealthCare.gov premium so high?

Five factors can affect a plan's monthly premium: location, age, tobacco use, plan category, and whether the plan covers dependents. Notice: FYI Your health, medical history, or gender can't affect your premium.

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.

Does social security count as income for HealthCare marketplace?

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.

What is the best health insurance for seniors over 70?

Medicare is the best health insurance for retirees and seniors. You can choose between Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or private, bundled coverage, called Medicare Advantage.

How much is Obamacare a month for a single person?

Monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans vary by state and can be reduced by premium tax credits. The average national monthly health insurance cost for one person on an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan without premium tax credits in 2024 is $477.

What are the disadvantages of government healthcare?

Con: limited budgets

Universal health care that's funded or heavily subsidised by the state may not offer treatments or medicines deemed not effective or proven enough to justify the expense. This practice, known as "care rationing", can even be expanded to frontline treatment.

What is the most trusted health website?

Get reliable health information from MedlinePlus. MedlinePlus is the health information website from the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Find guidance you can trust about medical conditions, treatments, testing, medications, and more.

What is the difference between HealthCare.gov and marketplace?

A service that helps people shop for and enroll in health insurance. The federal government operates the Health Insurance Marketplace ®, available at HealthCare.gov, for most states.

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.

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.

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.

Does everyone qualify for healthcare gov?

To be eligible to enroll in health coverage through the Marketplace, you must: Live in the United States (U.S). Be a U.S. citizen or national, or be lawfully present non-citizen in the U.S. Learn about eligible immigration statuses. Not be incarcerated.

How long does it take to get verified on healthcare gov?

Identity verification usually takes 7 to 10 days. After your documents are processed, the status on your profile should change to "Identity verified."

Does healthcare.gov ask for gross or net income?

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.

What happens if I don't pay my HealthCare gov premium?

If you don't pay all owed premiums, you may lose your coverage dating back to the first month you missed the premium payment. You may also have to wait to get health coverage. The 3-month premium payment grace period starts the first month you didn't pay, even if you make payments for the following months.

Which is an advantage of purchasing a plan through the health insurance marketplace?

Most people qualify for savings

A tax credit you can use to lower your monthly insurance payment (called your “premium”) when you enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Your tax credit is based on the income estimate and household information you put on your Marketplace application.

What is the most expensive health insurance?

Platinum health insurance is the most expensive type of health care coverage you can purchase. You pay low out-of-pocket expenses for appointments and services, but high monthly premiums. Plans typically feature a small deductible or no deductible and cheap copays or coinsurance.