ACA Marketplace & Health Insurance

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace is how most individuals and families without job-based coverage buy health insurance — and many people qualify for subsidies that make it far more affordable than they expect. TrueCare is ACA Marketplace certified, and we help Houston-area residents compare ACA plans, understand the fine print, and enroll the right way, at no cost to you.

Do you qualify for a subsidy?

Most ACA Marketplace shoppers qualify for a premium tax credit that lowers their monthly cost — and many also qualify for cost-sharing reductions that lower deductibles and copays. Eligibility is based mainly on your household size and estimated income, not on health history. We’ll run the numbers with you so you know your real cost before you commit.

See If You Qualify for a Subsidy

Enrollment deadlines & special enrollment

Timing matters with ACA coverage. There are two ways to enroll:

• Open Enrollment — the annual window (generally November 1 to January 15) when anyone can enroll or change plans.
• Special Enrollment Period (SEP) — triggered by a qualifying life event, which lets you enroll outside Open Enrollment. Common qualifying events include:
  • Losing other coverage (job loss, aging off a parent’s plan, losing Medicaid/CHIP)
  • Getting married or divorced
  • Having a baby or adopting a child
  • Moving to a new ZIP code or county
  • A change in income that affects your subsidy eligibility

What if my income changed?

A change in income — up or down — can change the subsidy you qualify for, and in some cases it opens a Special Enrollment Period. If your income dropped, you may now qualify for more help; if it rose, it’s important to update your estimate so you don’t owe money back at tax time. We help you report changes correctly and adjust your plan if it makes sense.

Can I keep my doctor?

Often, yes — but it depends on each plan’s network. Before you enroll, we check whether your current doctors, specialists and preferred hospitals are in-network, and we confirm your prescriptions are covered. That way there are no surprises after your plan starts.

Questions we’ll help you answer

• Which doctors and hospitals are in the plan’s network?
• How do the deductible, copays and out-of-pocket maximum actually work?
• How does your prescription drug coverage work, tier by tier?
• Should you choose a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum metal level for your situation?

Nearing 65? Be sure to also explore Medicare, and protect against gaps with supplemental insurance and dental & vision coverage.