No income level guarantees a $0 plan. The credit depends on your household size and income estimate and is worked out against the price of the second-lowest-cost Silver plan where you live, so whether any plan reaches $0 depends on local prices as well as on income. For 2027 coverage the Marketplace measures income against the 2026 poverty guidelines. You also must not have an offer of affordable employer coverage, not be eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP or TRICARE, not file as married filing separately, and, new for 2027, be a U.S. citizen or national, a green card holder, a Cuban or Haitian Entrant, or a COFA migrant.
| Household size | 100% of poverty level | 400% of poverty level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $38,680 | $154,720 |
What is published for 2027 and what is not
On October 30, 2026, HealthCare.gov was still showing 2026 savings amounts and said its 2027 income levels and savings would be posted on November 1, the day open enrollment opens. So we cannot yet quote what 2027 plans in Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach will cost after the credit. What is settled: the 100% to 400% range, the 2026 guidelines used to measure it, and the eligibility rules above. Open enrollment runs to January 15, 2027, and you need to enroll by December 15 for coverage that starts January 1.
What a $0 plan can cost you
A $0 premium is not $0 coverage. Cost-sharing reductions, which lower deductibles, copays and the out-of-pocket maximum, come only with a Silver plan, so if your income qualifies you for them, a $0 plan at another metal level gives them up, and a low-cost Silver plan can cost less over a year once you use care. The credit also rests on your income estimate: if your 2027 income turns out higher, you may have to repay part of it when you file, and you must file a tax return with Form 8962 to reconcile it.
What to do next
Below 100% of the poverty level, many adults in Florida get neither the credit nor Medicaid, because Florida has not expanded Medicaid, but HealthCare.gov still advises filling out an application, since more detailed income information can place you in the range. Estimate your 2027 income carefully, include everyone in your tax household, and compare the $0 plans with the Silver plans before you choose. We enroll you on HealthCare.gov ourselves and check the income estimate with you, in English, Spanish, French or Haitian Creole.
Read the full guide: How ACA premium tax credits work
Related questions
Do I need some income to get a $0 plan?
Yes. The premium tax credit generally starts at 100% of the poverty level, $15,960 for one person on the guidelines used for 2027 coverage. Below that, you probably will not qualify for the credit.
Will my $0 plan stay $0 if I earn more?
Not necessarily. Report income changes to the Marketplace: a higher income usually means a smaller credit, and if you used more credit than you qualified for, you repay the difference at tax time.
Can a green card holder get a $0 plan for 2027?
Yes, if the other rules are met. From January 1, 2027 the premium tax credit is limited to U.S. citizens and nationals, green card holders, Cuban or Haitian Entrants and COFA migrants.
Sources
- Saving money on health insurance: income levels & savings — HealthCare.gov (CMS) · read 2026-10-30
- Federal poverty level (FPL) — HealthCare.gov (CMS) · read 2026-10-12
- Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services · 2026-01-15 · read 2026-10-12
- Second lowest cost Silver plan (SLCSP) — HealthCare.gov (CMS) · read 2026-10-30
- How to save on your monthly insurance bill with the premium tax credit — HealthCare.gov (CMS) · read 2026-10-30
- Cost-sharing reductions — HealthCare.gov (CMS) · read 2026-10-30
- The Premium Tax Credit — The basics — Internal Revenue Service · read 2026-10-13
- Guidance on Noncitizen Eligibility for Advance Payments of the Premium Tax Credit (APTC) and Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs) for Plan Year 2027 — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight · 2026-10-05 · read 2026-10-26
- Health Insurance Marketplace — HealthCare.gov (CMS) · read 2026-10-13
- Medicaid expansion & what it means for you — HealthCare.gov (CMS) · read 2026-10-30
This page explains published rules and figures, with the source for each one. It is not advice about your own situation.