Obamacare: Comparing employer’s plan to other options

Can I buy my own insurance under ACA if I find better options than the plan offered by my employer?

Savvy Shopper

Dear Savvy Shopper,

Yes, you can but you may or may not be able to get any government help buying your own plan. If your employer plan meets health reform standards and it does not cost you more than 9.5% of your income to cover yourself, then it is considered adequate and affordable. Therefore, you would not get any subsidies to buy a plan on the exchanges. You could, however, go “off exchange” and buy your own plan. Off exchange simply means that no subsidies are used to pay for the monthly cost. The plans offered may be different (perhaps more flexible) than the plans offered on the exchange, which have to meet certain value definitions, etc

Linda Riddell

About Linda Riddell

A published author and health policy analyst with 25 years’ experience, Linda Riddell's goal is to alleviate the widespread ailment of not knowing what your health plan can do for you.