HealthSherpa

What is HealthSherpa?

Do I need health insurance if I’m healthy? / Why HealthSherpa?

Details how to check the status of your Marketplace application through your HealthSherpa dashboard, what each status means, and what to do if additional documents or follow-up are required.

How do I check the status of my application?

Rachel Guo

Zachary Ortiz

Resources to help consumers navigate their HealthSherpa account, Marketplace application, plan enrollment, and more. Step-by-step guides and answers to make managing your coverage easy.

Consumer Help Center

What are Qualifying Life Events?

Explains who can buy Marketplace insurance, including the difference between U.S. citizenship and residency requirements, and outlines related eligibility rules for Medicaid, CHIP, employer plans, and Medicare.

Who can buy coverage through the Marketplace?

Do you offer dental/vision benefits?

When applying, it's important to include everyone in your "tax household" on your application. Information about your entire tax household is needed to determine your eligibility.

Who should I include in my application?

Both ICHRAs and QSEHRAs are ways that employers can help employees pay for health coverage, but there are important differences.

What is the difference between an ICHRA and a QSEHRA?

When applying for financial assistance, you'll need to provide your estimated Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for the application year. This includes your MAGI, your spouse's, and any dependents who…

What income should I include on my application for financial help?

Explains how to determine who counts in your Marketplace or Medicaid/CHIP household, including tax-filing rules, special cases like shared custody, college students, pregnancy, and how household size affects eligibility and…

Who is considered part of my household?

Find out when you can buy a Marketplace dental plan, what’s included, and how standalone dental coverage works.

Do you offer standalone dental plans?

Learn about the different types of health insurance networks—HMO, PPO, EPO, and POS—and how each affects your choice of doctors, specialists, and out-of-network care. See how to filter plans by…

Understanding Health Insurance Network Types (HMO, PPO, EPO, and POS)

No, missing your employer’s Open Enrollment window by itself does not qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. But you may still have options through the Marketplace or other programs.

I missed my employer’s Open Enrollment to sign up for health coverage. Can I get Marketplace coverage?

Employers can help employees pay for health insurance through two types of tax-free reimbursement arrangements — ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement) and QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement).

ICHRA vs. QSEHRA: Understanding Employer Reimbursements and Marketplace Savings

Explains how employer coverage affects Marketplace eligibility, including the 2026 affordability limit and family glitch fix.

Am I eligible for a Marketplace plan if my employer offers insurance?

Overview of coverage and cost-saving options for individuals who don’t qualify for Medicaid or Marketplace subsidies, including state programs, community resources, and enrollment timelines.

I got denied Medicaid and do not qualify for a subsidy. What are my options?

Guidance on pre-existing condition protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including coverage rules, examples of qualifying conditions, and details on what Marketplace plans must cover from the start of…

Can I still get health insurance if I have a pre-existing condition?

Guidance on how your tax-filing status affects eligibility for Marketplace premium tax credits, including details for married couples filing separately, head-of-household filers, and exceptions for domestic abuse or spousal abandonment.

Can I get subsidies if I’m married filing separately, or head of household?

The ACA requires individual and small-group health plans to cover 10 essential health benefits (EHB), but assisted reproductive technology / infertility is not categorized as an EHB unless a state…

Does the marketplace cover infertility?

Children who qualify for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are not eligible for premium tax credits on a Marketplace health plan.

My kids are eligible for CHIP. Can I enroll them in our marketplace health plan and get premium tax credits for them instead?

A Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) is a special account that lets you set aside money from your paycheck before taxes to pay for eligible medical expenses. FSAs are usually offered…

What is a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)?

An HSA is a special savings account you can use to pay for qualified medical expenses, like doctor visits, prescriptions, and certain procedures.

What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?

Learn what to do if your employer offers a QSEHRA. Find out how to enter your QSEHRA information during your Marketplace application, adjust your premium tax credit (APTC), and understand…

What happens if I get a QSEHRA letter from my employer?

This article shows you how to complete your insurance plan enrollment when your agent sends you a link from HealthSherpa.

How to complete your health plan enrollment after receiving a link from your agent

How do I get a quote ?

Guidance on what income to include when reporting your household’s Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for Marketplace coverage, including which sources count, which don’t, and how income accuracy affects your…

How do I estimate my household income?

Explains Marketplace eligibility for non-citizens, including which immigration statuses qualify for coverage and what options are available for individuals without lawful status.

Do I qualify for Marketplace insurance if I'm not a citizen or do not have a legal status?

Learn how an employer’s Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) may impact your Marketplace savings, when it’s considered affordable, and how to check your eligibility for premium tax credits.

Do I still qualify for savings on Marketplace coverage if I’m offered an Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA)?

What is the Childrens Health Program (CHIP)?

Overview of Marketplace subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, including how premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions work, who qualifies, and how to maintain eligibility through accurate income reporting and…

What is a subsidy?

Overview of states that operate their own health insurance marketplaces, how enrollment differs from HealthCare.gov, and upcoming changes for 2027, including Oregon’s transition to a state-based marketplace and federal enrollment…

I want to see plans online, why am I being told to call and enroll?

Information for individuals with DACA status on current eligibility for health coverage and where to find affordable or free care through community clinics, state programs, and verified national resources.

Are DACA individuals eligible for Medicaid, CHIP or the Marketplace ?

What happens to my Marketplace plan when I become eligible for Medicare?

Details how to make your first premium payment to activate Marketplace coverage, including when payments can be made through HealthSherpa, when to pay your insurance company directly, and where to…

How do I pay my monthly premium?

Steps to resolve a failed identity proofing during your HealthSherpa application, including how to upload ID documents, what to expect during verification, and how to complete the process if redirected…

Identity Proofing Failed, What Do I Do?

Overview of Marketplace Open Enrollment dates for 2026 coverage, including federal and state-based marketplace timelines, qualifying life events for Special Enrollment Periods, and key deadlines for effective coverage start dates.

When is Open Enrollment and can I enroll right now?

Step-by-step overview of how to quote, apply, and enroll in Marketplace coverage through HealthSherpa, including how to compare plans, submit documents, make payments, and complete enrollment.

How do I quote, apply and enroll on HealthSherpa?

Enrollment & Eligibility

If you’ve forgotten your HealthSherpa password or need to create one for the first time, you can reset it easily.

How do I reset my password?

If you don’t send the documents the Marketplace requested (like proof of income, citizenship, or loss of coverage) by the deadline, your coverage or savings may end. But you still…

What are my options if I missed the deadline to submit my documents?

Form 8962 is an IRS tax form called the Premium Tax Credit (PTC) form. If you had Marketplace coverage and received premium tax credits (APTC) during the year, you must…

What is Form 8962?

The 1095-A form is a tax form you receive if you had Marketplace coverage during the year. It lists the months you had coverage and the amount of any premium…

What is a 1095-A form and how do I get it?

Sometimes the Marketplace will ask for proof, like a document showing you lost coverage or proof of citizenship/immigration status. These documents must be submitted and approved before your application is…

How do I submit documents on HealthSherpa?

You can request to cancel your Marketplace plan at any time, and the end date is usually the last day of the month you choose.

How do I cancel my plan?

Current Marketplace plans may or may not remain the same next year. We encourage consumers to actively renew their coverage each year to ensure they are aware of these changes.

I like my marketplace plan. Will it stay the same next year?

During Open Enrollment, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan without any specific reason for ending COBRA coverage. Outside Open Enrollment, you can switch from your COBRA if it's within…

I’m enrolled in COBRA now, but I want to cancel it. Does that affect my eligibility for Marketplace subsidies?

Financial Assistance: Why It’s Important to Accurately Report, Update, and Reconcile Your Income for Marketplace Coverage

What happens if I don't update my application for financial assistance?

Details how to update your Marketplace application when your income, household, or address changes, including step-by-step instructions, when to report updates, and how changes can affect your eligibility and plan…

How do I report changes to my income, household, or address?

Instructions for changing your HealthSherpa account password while logged in, including where to find account settings and tips for creating a secure password.

How do I update my password?

Steps for updating your email or phone number in your HealthSherpa account to ensure you receive important notices about your application, documents, and coverage.

How do I update my email address or phone number on my HealthSherpa account?

Post Enrollment

Health insurance plans include several cost-sharing terms that describe how you and your insurance company split the cost of your medical care. This includes deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum,…

Understanding Health Insurance Costs: Deductibles, Copays, Coinsurance, and Out-of-Pocket Maximums

Learn how Marketplace health plan categories work. See how Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans differ in cost-sharing, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses, and how extra savings may apply to Silver…

Understanding Marketplace Health Plan Categories (Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum)

What is Medicare?

Learn what COBRA coverage is, how long it lasts, how much it costs, and how it compares to Marketplace plans so you can choose the option that fits best.

What is COBRA?

Learn how an ICHRA works, including how employer reimbursements apply to Marketplace plans, what happens if you accept or decline the offer, and how affordability rules affect your eligibility for…

What happens if I accept an Individual Coverage HRA (ICHRA) offer?

If you disagree with a decision the Marketplace made on your application, such as your eligibility for coverage, subsidies, Medicaid/CHIP, or cost-sharing reductions, you have the right to file an…

How do I appeal a Marketplace decision?

If you no longer want to keep your HealthSherpa account, you can request that it be deleted. Once deleted, you will lose access to your dashboard, application history, uploaded documents,…

How do I delete my HealthSherpa account?

External government and nonprofit resources that provide national assistance for individuals and families needing help with food and household expenses. Includes verified links to trusted public programs outside of HealthSherpa.

Emergency Resources

Details how the expiration of ARPA’s enhanced Marketplace premium tax credits after 2025 will affect 2026 coverage, including what changes, what stays the same, and how consumers can prepare.

ARPA Marketplace Savings: What Still Applies for Plan Year 2026

Guidance for recovering access to your HealthSherpa account if you forgot which email you used, including troubleshooting steps and how to contact support for identity verification and account recovery.

I forgot the email I used – how can I log in?

Steps for creating a HealthSherpa account after submitting an application, including how to set your password and access your dashboard to view, track, and manage your Marketplace enrollment.

How do I create a HealthSherpa account?

List of State Based Marketplaces for plan year 2026 with contact information and OEP dates.

State Based Marketplaces (SBM)

List of insurance companies operating on the Federally Facilitated Marketplace for plan year 2026

Plan Year 2026 FFM Insurance Carriers

Support & Resources

Find answers and get help from Intercom Support and Community Experts

This site employs cookies and other technologies that we and our third party vendors use to monitor and record personal information about you and your interactions with the site (including content viewed, cursor movements, screen recordings, and chat contents) for the purposes described in our Cookie Policy. By continuing to visit our site, you agree to our {websiteTermsLink}, {privacyPolicyLink} and {cookiePolicyLink}.

This site uses cookies and similar technologies ("cookies") as strictly necessary for site operation. We and our partners also would like to set additional cookies to enable site performance analytics, functionality, advertising and social media features. See our {cookiePolicyLink} for details. You can change your cookie preferences in our Cookie Settings.

We use cookies to make our site work and also for analytics and advertising purposes. You can enable or disable optional cookies as desired. See our {cookiePolicyLink} for more details.

Advertising cookies are set by our advertising partners to collect information about your use of the site, our communications, and other online services over time and with different browsers and devices. They use this information to show you ads online that they think will interest you and measure the ads' performance. Social media cookies are set by social media platforms to enable you to share content on those platforms, and are capable of tracking information about your activity across other online services for use as described in their privacy policies.

These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems.

These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site.

You have the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information. See our {cookiePolicyLink} for more details about how we use your data.

Your Privacy Choices

We use cookies to enhance your experience. You can customize your cookie preferences below. See our {cookiePolicyLink} for more details.

Cookie Settings

Link, Press control-option-right-arrow to exit

Empty Help Center

Uh oh. That page doesn’t exist.

Disappointed

Neutral

Smiley

Thinking...

Searching through sources...

Analyzing...

Tickets submitted through the messenger or by a support agent in your conversation will appear here.