Commonwealth Fund

Affordable, quality health care. For everyone.

Health Insurance Marketplaces

Short-term plans lead to large bills for consumers

Short-Term Plans: No Provider Networks Lead to Large Bills for Consumers

| To The Point

Featured

ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment Numbers Reveal the Impact of State-Level Policy and Operational Choices on Performance

| To The Point

The Administration Tried to Make It Easier for States to Waive ACA Rules: Will Any Take the Plunge?

| To The Point

Short-Term Health Plans Sold Through Out-of-State Associations Threaten Consumer Protections

| To The Point

Pros and Cons of Different Public Health Insurance Options: A Guide for 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates

| Journal Article
Health Insurance Marketplaces

Under the Affordable Care Act, people can purchase health plans through state-based health insurance marketplaces. The marketplaces make it easier for people to compare and select health plans, and most low- and middle-income consumers are eligible for federal subsidies that make coverage more affordable.

Our Experts
Sara Collins

Sara R. Collins

Vice President, Health Care Coverage and Access
Munira Z. Gunja

Munira Z. Gunja

Senior Researcher, Health Care Coverage and Access
In the News
man consults with doctor
read on: AJMC
State Regulation of Insurance Markets Can Alleviate Administration Proposals, Report Says
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The Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplaces by Type

Use this interactive map to review the status of state action on health insurance marketplaces.

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promo aca marketplace map

The Latest in Health Insurance Marketplaces

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Publication

The ACA’s Innovation Waiver Program: A State-by-State Look


woman signing up for health insurance
To the Point

During the COVID-19 Crisis, State Health Insurance Marketplaces Are Working to Enroll the Uninsured


By Rachel Schwab, Justin Giovannelli, Kevin Lucia
Non-compliant ACA plans
To the Point

Health Plans That Don’t Comply with the ACA Put Consumers at Risk


By Shanoor Seervai, Munira Z. Gunja, Sara R. Collins
To the Point

The Individual Health Insurance Market Is Looking More Like the Group Market Under the Affordable Care Act


By Mark A. Hall, Michael J. McCue
bricks that are unstable
To the Point

Federal Rule Creating New Health Coverage Option for Employers Could Destabilize the Individual Market


By JoAnn Volk, Kevin Lucia
States Looking to Run Their Own Health Insurance Marketplace See Opportunity for Funding, Flexibility
To the Point

States Looking to Run Their Own Health Insurance Marketplace See Opportunity for Funding, Flexibility


By Rachel Schwab, JoAnn Volk
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To the Point

Short-Term Plans: No Provider Networks Lead to Large Bills for Consumers


By Christina L. Goe
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To the Point

ACA Marketplace Open Enrollment Numbers Reveal the Impact of State-Level Policy and Operational Choices on Performance


By Rachel Schwab, Sabrina Corlette
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To the Point

The Administration Tried to Make It Easier for States to Waive ACA Rules: Will Any Take the Plunge?


By Justin Giovannelli, JoAnn Volk
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To the Point

Short-Term Health Plans Sold Through Out-of-State Associations Threaten Consumer Protections


By Emily Curran, Dania Palanker, Sabrina Corlette
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Publication

Pros and Cons of Different Public Health Insurance Options: A Guide for 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates


By Sherry A. Glied, Jeanne M. Lambrew
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Publication

Why Are the Health Insurance Marketplaces Thriving in Some States but Struggling in Others?


By Jon R. Gabel, Heidi Whitmore, Sam Stromberg, Matthew Green