Understanding your health coverage options is the first step to enrolling. The ACA Marketplace offers several ways to sign up, making it easier to choose an enrollment method that works for you.
What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?
The Health Insurance Marketplace® is a service created under the Affordable Care Act to help individuals and families:
- Shop for health insurance
- Compare plan options
- Find out if they qualify for financial help to lower costs
Marketplace plans meet ACA requirements, including coverage for essential health benefits and protections for people with pre‑existing conditions.
What is HealthCare.gov?
HealthCare.gov is the official federal Marketplace website where you can:
- Apply for ACA Marketplace coverage
- Find out if you qualify for financial help
- Compare all available plans
- Enroll during Open Enrollment or a Special Enrollment Period
HealthCare.gov is the system that determines eligibility and applies financial assistance for Marketplace plans.
Choose the enrollment option that works best for you
While coverage is accessed through the federal Marketplace, you have more than one enrollment option. No matter how you enroll, eligibility and savings are determined through the Marketplace.
Enroll directly through HealthCare.gov
You can apply and enroll by creating an account on HealthCare.gov, completing an application, reviewing plan options and selecting coverage.
Enroll through Priority Health
Priority Health offers multiple ways to help you enroll in ACA Marketplace coverage while still using the federal Marketplace behind the scenes.
You can enroll in a MyPriority® plan through:
- Priority Health online enrollment tools
See plans and prices online and enroll through Priority Health’s secure experience. Eligibility and financial help are still determined by the federal Marketplace. - Priority Health health plan specialists
Licensed, Michigan-based health plan specialists can walk you through plan options, answer questions and help complete enrollment. - Licensed agents or brokers
An agent or broker can help you compare plans and enroll in Marketplace coverage. Some work directly with Priority Health, while others represent multiple insurance companies.
No matter which option you choose, Marketplace eligibility and financial assistance are applied consistently because they’re determined through the federal Marketplace.
Am I eligible for Marketplace coverage?
In general, Marketplace coverage is available to people who don’t have access to affordable job‑based coverage and aren’t eligible for Medicaid or Medicare. Financial help is based on factors like household size, income and where you live.
When you can enroll
You can enroll in Marketplace coverage during:
- Open Enrollment, which happens once each year from Nov. 1 - Dec. 15, or
- A Special Enrollment Period, if you experience a qualifying life event such as losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby
What information is needed to enroll
- Household information
- Estimated income
- Current coverage details, if any
- Social Security numbers (if applicable)
What to expect after you choose a plan
After choosing a plan and paying your first premium, your coverage typically begins on the effective date shown during enrollment. You’ll receive next steps from your health plan about using your coverage.