TurboTax Health Care Eligibility Calculator

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The Affordable Care Act, Obamacare, health care reform?  Not sure what it is or how it impacts you?  You aren’t alone.

Intuit TurboTax created a health care calculator to help you find out if you’re eligible for health insurance through a state or federal Marketplace, Medicaid, or Medicare or if you’re already set with your existing health insurance plan.  It will also let you know, if you qualify for a tax credit or subsidy from the government to help you purchase your health insurance.

Check it out to learn how health care reform impacts you so that you can make the best decisions for your health and your wallet.

For optimized mobile experience, please use the calculator here (https://ttlc.intuit.com/health-care)

156 responses to “TurboTax Health Care Eligibility Calculator”

  1. My husband has health insurance through his employer but we couldn’t afford to get the insurance from his work for me and we don’t qualify for Obamacare. Is there any insurance that is really cheap where I can get insured and not get penalised for not having insurance. Thank you

  2. i was diagonosed with thryroid desease on June 4th, 2013, did not have insurance and spent time in hosipital then had to see a specialist, so i’m on social security, drawing widows pension, do not make enough for Insurance i was also working up to june 1st, 2013…to make ends meet, well i still having problems, but i went ahead and took out Obama care started on May 1st, 2014, thinking i would be getting better and better and go back to work but have not, i canceled Obama Care in November will be canceled on November 12, 2014….just new by now i was not able to work until i get better with this desease, so my question is since i just draw widows social security can i fill out income tax or not?

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  4. I need assistance in obtaining health insurance. I was on McLaren Health Plan Medicaid and had 2 right hip replacements and still require more physical therapy and also contracted C-diff in Regency of Grand Blanc post surgery and still have it. Since then, I have only qualify for Medicaid with a $922 monthly deductible of which I cannot afford. Please reply and thank you Susette Rohl

  5. I submeted my application on line I am a 53 year old male that income is 20,000 a year it said I would get assistance with the payments but they have sent me three bills so far for over 300.00 each so there saying I owe them over 900.00 there’s no way I can afford this what do I do?

  6. I was wondering if I would have to include my husband’s income in my app because we do not do our taxes together??

  7. Can you tell me exactly what income to use? Gross or net? Do I include child support or spousal support payments?

  8. If a 58 year old (personal policy, no kids,single) makes 44,000/yr, he gets a 5K subsidy. If he makes 45,000, he gets nothing.

    That can’t be right…

  9. I’m 42 yrs old, household of 4 with no insurance, our annual income is 48,000 . According to the tax calculator I should get assistance and pay out of pocket around$100 per month but when i filed my application it is saying my monthly premium will be $948 per month! I haven’t finalized my app. yet to afraid because i can’t afford that i be better off paying the penalty! So why do you think my monthly premium is higher?

  10. My 19 yo grandson works less than full time for min wage since last June. He does not go to school. His mother is on Az Medicaid and he has not been eligible for it. Under the new rules, will he now be eligible or does he have to purchase divergent coverage.

  11. I have health insurance through my employer. Is the 9.5% rule applied for employee only or it applied to every family members in the employer based insurance? My son and wife work part-time, so they are covered with my employer. My sons premium is very high. Can he get his own insurance through affordable health care?

  12. The question “Where do you live?” excludes U.S. citizens who do not reside within the fifty states. I assume I will nevertheless be forced to comply with Obamacare, yet I cannot proceed beyond that step.

  13. I make $10,000 a year and live in Florida with my parents. I am so so poor, I don’t qualify for Obamacare, Florida does not include me in Medicaid, and the chart says I should be paying $270/month for healthcare…….yeah, sure, and what exactly will I live on after that? What idiot makes up these stupid laws? I guess if I don’t buy insurance, the IRS will come get me and I will have free healthcare in jail. Oh, so that is Obamacare!!!! Thanks Barrack!!

    • I think the caveat here may be that you live with your parents. Also it is set up so that the younger you are the more you pay. 🙁

    • David
      Kind of an expensive road to becoming politically aware – vote your interest, everyone. Call\write your senator and vote in 2014.

    • Unfortunately if your state does not expand the Medicaid Program then as the law is currently you will not be eligible for a tax credit subsidy for Marketplace insurance. However, if you are not required to file a return, so if you make 10,000 or less then you will be exempted from the Penalty.

    • My daughter is in the same position, but it is NOT Obama’s fault. If Florida would opt into his plan, both you and she would be eligible for Medicaid, as she was when we lived in NY. And her coverage with Medicaid was WAY better than any of the available health care plans. So don’t knock Obamacare, knock the Florida legislature for deciding not to participate in it!

      • Completely disagree. If the Feds want a program, then fund it!!! Typical of every higher government passing laws and forcing the smaller agency to comply and pay for it. My dad is a teacher… I see it all the time….those in power at any level know exactly what is best in the classroom and what he needs to teach. And the schools have to pay for implementation. Too much government.

  14. My insurance is cancelling me, it was healthy NY and I received a letter that it would no longer be effective after 12/2013. Before I only paid a copay and no deductible. Now for the same price they want me to have a $4000 deductible. I can’t afford it. I filed jointly with my husband last year but we haven’t been living together for several years. I think it would be better if I just dont get any insurance and pay the penalty because I wont get anything out of it … if I get cancer I would have to pay 50% of chemotherapy…. duh. I would just have to die anyway. I don’t know what to do and am very depressed about this..

  15. I only paid 6000.00 on my tax return because I receive a death benefit for my daughter and myself that is not taxable.. So do I include that money when I do my insurance? But how do I show it with no tax return showing it..

  16. I am currently 64 , & will turn 65 in in May of 2014. I can apply for Medicare Feb of 2014. However the deadline is Jan1 of 2014. Seems silly to get ACA for just a matter of a month +. How will this effect me?

  17. I pay a small fortune in health ins. premiums for more than 2 through my employer (but the HMO carries 0 ded and 0 co-pay). Could I get my 2 children on another less expensive plan while leaving myself on my employer’s plan?

  18. The open enrollment period with my employer ended in August. I am paying more than 9% of income towards insurance. My employer says I can not switch to the insurance marketplace until next year. Am I stuck with my unaffordable insurance? Thank you

  19. I used your calculator and the amount is different than the amount that was calculated when I applied for health care through Highmark, we are only getting 551 subsidy not 1450 subsidy that your calculator came up with.

  20. My daughter is on Medicaid. Her 19 y.o. son is no longer covered due to the AZ rules for not covering childless adults (those over 18). He does not go to school and started his first job last June that is less than full time at minimum wage. He should apply for the subsidized coverage, correct?

    • Hi Mary,
      The Marketplace would use your total household income reported on your 2012 tax return to determine eligibility so you should use what they use. They will also ask if you expect any changes in your income.
      For more answers to your specific health care questions, visit http://www.TurboTaxAnswerXchange.com
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  21. I currently have an individual health insurance plan (expensive) for myself, my husband goes on Medicare next month…I work part time, he is retired on SS, what is considered our household income when looking for insurance for me? Also, why does it ask how many children, is this living with you or total number of children…our kids are all adults.

  22. If I pay more than 12% of my salary for health insurance, will I receive a tax break on my 2014 taxes.

  23. My husband and I have been separated for 3 years and he lives in another state. He has Medicare and I am uninsured. How does that affect me? Will our incomes still be combined?

  24. I am retired and have insurance through my pension.
    The premium quoted to me on this site for Obamacare is 2 1/2 times what I am paying now for less coverage and much higher deductibles. If this is what government health care really is, we should get rid of it!

    • Since you already have health insurance why even bother to look for other coverage?
      Anyone who has Medicare, pension insurance, employer provided, covered by spouse or parents (kids up to 26 yrs old) do not need apply. This is only for those who have no health insurance. It is based on income with top amount no more then 8% of income. There are programs to help with out of pocket expenses depending on income.
      my son in law has coverage through VA and Medicare due to disability, my daughter and two grand children found a plan for less then 200 a month, copay’s and deductibles the same as our youngest daughter who is covered under our pension plan.

      • I don’t think he was looking to sign up. He was simply pointing out the ridiculous prices. $200 a month is alot for me! That’s a car payment, a pg&e bill that I won’t be able to afford now. I believe in natural healing. I’m being forced to pay for something I’m not even going to use! Sorry but he is right, we need to get rid of it!

      • Hi ya it’s for everyone and ya better hope more people look and sign up to get those prices lower… cuz if they don’t well guess who’s rates are going up?? Yours lady . yours…. and next JAN 1015 A LOT OF PEOPLE who HAVE insurance won’t .. and well lets hope they took a look here and decided to vote accordingly before then

      • Sierra: I think there may be a exemption for those who can show proof of medical exclusion. My 94 yr old aunt is exempted from Medicare & ACA for provable religious reasons.

    • Hi Anna,
      No, they will go by your total household income.
      For more answers to you specific health care questions, visit TurboTaxAnswerXchange.com
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  25. I am Retired US Military and live overseas, I have dual citizenship and I’m covered under Australian Health Care System. Since I am retired military I have TriCare Standard. Will I be subject to a penalty?

    • Hi Jeff,
      No, only individuals who are uninsured will receive a penalty.
      For more answers to your specific health insurance questions, visit TurboTaxAnswerXchange.com
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  26. Ok so I have medical coverage through the hospital sliding fee scale I don’t pay monthly but I’m covered if I need to be seen I just pay per visit based off of my income like to be seen by a doctor I pay $10 dose this coverage count I don’t full understand all this stuff

    • I would check with hospital program dept just to make sure. It varies by state, county, even city; but most programs based on income will remain in effect and you would stay covered.

    • thinking this isn’t coverage just hospital policy to cover services based on a sliding scale subsidized by the charity care section of the hospital…. ??? if so you don’t really “have coverage” you just happened to qualify for cheaper care at that particular hospital or group( Geisinger has that )

    • Hi,
      Thank you for feedback. We are having our developers look into this.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  27. I can’t get past the page that says “How old are you? Choose…
    I can’t get the drop down menu to work. Any advice!

    • Hi Chris,
      Can you try a different browser like FireFox. I am also having our developers test all browsers.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  28. I’m a Disabled Veteran and receive Medical through my PCP at my Dep’t of Veteran Affairs Clinic. Will I be penalize on my Taxes when I file in 2014.

  29. I have a shared cost of Medicare.I can’t get in through my work till next year.what do I do my Medicare is doo high I can’t use it

  30. I have an insurance through my employer. However, my total contribution towards my insurance cost is more than 10% of my family annual income. I have family of four. Do I get tax credit or only those people who get insurance through Market place receives the tax credit.
    Thanks,
    RP

    • Hi RP,
      Only individuals who purchase through the Marketplace are eligible for the tax credit. If your insurance for self-only coverage is more than 9.5% of your household income you can purchase in the Marketplace and you may be able to get assistance. If your 10% includes coverage for other family members then that doesn’t count. You can read more here
      https://www.healthcare.gov/what-if-i-have-job-based-health-insurance/

      For more answers to your specific health insurance questions visit TurboTaxAnswerXchange.com
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • My son has been unemployed for serval years and has no income or insurance due to numerious health issues.

    • Yes. Your marital status for the entire year for filing purposes is determined by your marital status on December 31st of the year of filing.

    • Hi Juli,
      If you are required to purchase health insurance, you have to do so by March 31, 2014 before you get married so you should put in single to figure out health insurance eligibility. Once you get married you would have a life event that enables you to change insurance outside of the open enrollment period. Some of the comments you’ve received are mixing up rules for qualifying as married for tax purposes.
      For more answers to your specific health insurance questions, visit http://www.TurboTaxAnswerXchange.com
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  31. I can’t even click on “I don’t have insurance” to calculate anything… Pointless… Because the other 3options say “you’re all set”… But I’m NOT

  32. Hello my name is hina .I use the calculater to find out and it’s says I do qualify what do I have to do next also I wants to know for my parents they do qualify but right now they using a Goldcard which is some type of government plan so now what they have to do ? They can still keep the Goldcard or this new insurance.
    Thanks.

  33. I used your calculator and it said we are eligible for assistance. My husband and I have 2 separate health care policies. Mine is through my former employer (I’m retired) and I pay $550/mo. His is a terrible plan – basically only major medical with a $5000 deductible. We pay $271/mo for it. The calculation said we would receive assistance and have to pay $347 -for his.
    I only entered his info because my insurance is a great plan- and I’ve had cancer 3 times and don’t want to switch. Does the $347 sound right? We’d have to pay more?

  34. I am confused about the tax penalties starting next year. My friends tell me that I will be assessed a tax penalty of around $95. for 2014 and than it goes up to over $1,000. in 2015 and over $2,000. in 2016. Is that right? I am on Medicare through Kaiser. Do I still have to pay a tax penalty?

    • Hi Norma,
      If you are covered by Medicare you don’t have to pay a penalty. For 2015, the annual penalty will increase to $325 per adult and $162.50 per child, with a maximum penalty of $975 per family (or roughly two percent of total income depending on family income). In 2016, the annual penalty will be $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, with a max of $2,085 per family, or about two and a half percent of total income depending on family income.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  35. But what does this plan cover?? What are the deductible and co-pays? I need to compare apples to apples! My insurance is within $100 a month of amount quoted for this—but I have a low deductible, low co-pays and LOVE my Doc!!– ???

    • Hi Sharon,
      You can see what health care plans cover and more details at healthcare.gov
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  36. Well if her calculations are so wrong, why don’t you use your God built calculator and figure it out.

    • Hi Linda,
      We looked into this and updated the files. Let me have it checked again. Thank you for your feedback.
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • It doesn’t matter, just turn it over to people so much smarter than you….the government. We will all be subject to the whims of the govt. Since its broke, once they sucker the nation onto this program by offering something for “free” (like a drug pusher giving away the first crack dose), the subsidies will be gone and the rationing will begin. Its the ONLY way to reduce costs without a free market solution (see cost of computes over 10 yrs)

      • Congratulations Mike, you’re one of the 10% who knows the end game. The rest are too distracted with their work, kids, divorce, social media, latest Hollywood gossip, mainstream “news” propaganda, etc. to pay any attention to what’s happening. America is signing up for a lot of misery, but hey, it costs less than freedom, so what the heck right? Sad thing is we get dragged in with them.

      • I totally agree with you, Mike. This whole idea is a disaster. Thanks to Obama, my daughter is now forced to pay 235.00 per month, that already includes the govt. subsidy reduction. She absolutely does NOT have 235 extra dollars laying around each month. She barely can pay her bills and student loan debt as it is now. She wll have to give up groceries to pay for Obamacare. It is absolutely wrong to force people to buy something they do not want.

      • I can’t imagine anyone NOT WANTING health insurance. I found a decent plan for my 18 year old son for 73.00 a month. Maybe if it seems to expensive, you should shop around a little more. NOT having health insurance can ruin you for years if some major happens.

    • Hi,
      I just tried the calculator again using Firefox and I was able to get to the results screen. You may need to update your Firefox.

      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • so youre going to pay her medical bills ? or will we the taxpayers have to for her ?…do your homework…obama care is really really affordable compared to getting health covereage on your own and even through your employer

      • that’s completely false. Obama care is a joke. the most expensive plan will cost you over 800.00 a month after applying the subsidy and even then the plan only pays 80% but not until you pay 1500.00 out of pocket pluss 2000.00 deductables. you have large co pays and you have to pay the other 20% of major medical. if you have a major operation or have a lot of specialists or have cancer you will never be out of debt and your children will get your debt when you die. Obama has and will continue to screw americans.

  37. I don’t think your eligibility information is right. I entered a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) with a household income of $80,000. Your calculator tells me that’s not subsidy eligible, but the Kaiser calculator and the UC Berkley calculator both say that’s subsidy eligible. The 400% of FPL level for a family of 4 is over $96,000.

  38. I have IE 10, and I can’t read all the screen either; too much blank space or supplemental information on left and right.

    Dave S

  39. Question: What is the difference implied by the message “Enroll for your benefits beginning October 1, 2013 at the new Health Insurance Maketplace…” and “You can shop for a new health insurance plan beginning October 1, 2013 at the new Health Insurance Marketplace…You can usethe government provided subsidy or tax credit you qualify for towards the cost of a new health insurance plan.”? The second is if you have no insurance. The first is if you have private insurance now. Does this mean you have to different plan offerings from uninsured and does it mean you pay full premiums but get a tax credit at filing time?

    • Now what, is right. You rely on the government for your sustenance and now they control you. Don’t worry, the rest of America is going to be in the same boat as you. We’ll only get what the government deems necessary. If we want something more, too bad.

  40. I entered 48000 as household income for my wife and myself and it said we are not eligible for a subsidy which I am sure is not correct.

    • I just entered a fictitious couple (59 and 57) currently uninsured making $48K with no other dependents in the household and got the message that the couple can apply via the Health Insurance Marketplace and qualified for a subsidy.

  41. This doesn’t work. I entered $50000 household income for my husband & I & it states we wouldn’t get a subsidy when the law caps it at $62000.

  42. Is the annual income referring to gross income or net income (as found on the federal tax return)?

    • You did not answer this question. I have the same question. What line on the federal form is used as the income calculation amount

      • Hi David,
        The income calculation is based on your modified adjusted gross income, which is your adjusted gross income (wages and salaries, interest and dividends, unemployment benefits, and other sources of income) plus non-taxable social security, tax exempt interest earned, and foreign income earned that was excluded from income, so it will be (AGI) Line 37 on form 1040 plus any non-taxable social security and the other nontaxable income mentioned that will be used.
        Thank you,
        Lisa Greene-Lewis

  43. Also problems on Chrome. After entering your and spouse’s age, screen slides too far/not far enough to left. IOW, part of image is off left side of screen. I did get thru to end, but couldn’t read all of message. Forward/back arrow disappeared when it would be useful to try to read full message.

  44. I don’t care what browsers you tried it on, it does not work on my Window Explorer 8

    • Hi Tom,
      Exactly what we found out from our designers. There appears to be an issue with IE8. They are updating the files and we will load them up so it will work with your browser.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi D,
      Thank you. We did find out that there is a problem with IE8 and our designers are updating the files so it will work for you.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi Kris,
      We found out IE8 is having issues. Our designers are working on fixing the problem. We will have this updated soon. In the meantime you can use FireFox.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi Marie,
      We did find out there is and issue with IE8 and our designers are working on it. We will have it fixed soon. You can also try FireFox for now.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  45. I also got stuck at the annual income screen.
    I am using the lastest version of IE 8 on Windows XP

    • Hi Linda,
      We did find out there is an issue with IE8. Our designers are working on fixing the issue and it will be resolved soon. In the meantime you can try Firefox.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi Eleanor,
      There is an issue with IE8 which our designers are fixing. In the meantime you can try FireFox.
      It will be fixed soon.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  46. Yep, having the same problem as the other users, program won’t advance. Internet Explorer, I believe current version. You have a bug! It’s a useful program, I hope you can get it fixed.

    • Hi Bella,
      Thank you. We did find an issue with IE8. Our designers will have it fixed soon. In the meantime you can also try Firefox.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  47. I am stuck on the same window as everyone else. I made sure my IE browser was updated (it was updated on 3-13-13) and I restarted your subsidy calculator and got the same result. I am using IE 8.

    • Hi Nancy,
      Thank you. We did find an issue with IE8 and our designers are fixing it. In the meantime you can try Firefox.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  48. Tried to use the calculator on this page but it won’t advance past annual income. Using internet explorer.

  49. Tried to use the calculator on this page but it won’t advance past annual income. I am using internet explorer.

    • Hi Stacy,
      What browser are you using? We tested all browsers before launching. You may need to update, but let us know so we can have the developer check it out. Also, use the arrows instead of the Tab button.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi Brenda,
      Click the start button on this post and answer the questions when prompted.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi Coleen,
      Thank you for the feedback. What browser are you using? We tested all browsers before launching, but let us know so we can check again. You also may need to update your browser.
      Please make sure you are using the arrows to proceed through instead of the “Tab” button.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi Susie,
      What browser are you using? We tested all browsers, but please let me know. Also, make sure you’re using the arrow buttons and not the “Tab” button.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi Linda,
      What browser are you using? We tested all browsers, but please let me know. Also, make sure you’re using the arrow buttons and not the “Tab” button. We are looking into this.
      Thank you for your feedback.
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

  50. Calculator is kinda useless if it won’t progress beyond the household income portion.

    • Hi Paulette,
      Sorry you are having difficulties. What browser are you using? We tested all browsers, but please let us know so we can address the problem.
      Thank you for you feedback.
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi Sharon,
      Thank you for the feedback. Please let us know what browser you’re using. We tested all browsers before launching, but we will check into this. Also, make sure you are using the arrow buttons instead of “Tab”
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis

    • Hi Kim,
      Thank you for your feedback. Please let me know what browser you’re using. We tested all browsers before launching, but it will help us address the problem if we know what browser you’re on.
      Thank you,
      Lisa Greene-Lewis