How to Estimate Your 2027 ACA Subsidy Before Open Enrollment (Florida Guide)

Short version: Enhanced ACA subsidies are still in place for 2027. Most Palm Beach County families I work with pay somewhere between $0 and $350 a month for a Silver plan after subsidies — even at incomes higher than $100,000. Here's how to figure out your rough number today, before Open Enrollment opens November 1.

Every year around this time I get the same phone call: "I looked at the calculator online and it said my premium would be $600 a month, so I'm probably better off going without insurance." Nine times out of ten, when we run the real numbers, they qualify for a subsidy that brings it under $200. Sometimes under $50. Sometimes $0.

Online calculators are rough. But you can get in the right ballpark yourself in about 5 minutes if you know what to look at.

The three inputs that determine your subsidy

Your ACA subsidy — technically called the Advance Premium Tax Credit — is calculated from three things:

• Household size. Everyone you claim on your 2027 tax return. Includes you, spouse if filing jointly, and any tax dependents.
• Projected 2027 household income. Your best realistic estimate of Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). Not last year's return.
• Age of every enrollee. Insurance premiums are age-rated federally, so a 60-year-old's benchmark plan costs about 3x a 21-year-old's.

Step 1: Compare your income to the Federal Poverty Level

The subsidy math starts with your income as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for your household size. For 2027 plan year subsidies, the government uses the 2026 FPL figures:

• 1 person: $15,060
• 2 people: $20,440
• 3 people: $25,820
• 4 people: $31,200
• 5 people: $36,580
• Each additional person: +$5,380

Divide your projected income by the FPL number for your household size. Multiply by 100. That's your "% of FPL."

Step 2: Find your "applicable percentage" (what the government thinks you should pay)

Under the enhanced subsidies extended through 2027, the applicable percentage schedule looks like this:

• Under 150% FPL → 0% of income (benchmark Silver is free)
• 150–200% FPL → 0% to 2% of income
• 200–250% FPL → 2% to 4% of income
• 250–300% FPL → 4% to 6% of income
• 300–400% FPL → 6% to 8.5% of income
• Above 400% FPL → capped at 8.5% of income (no more cliff)

Multiply your applicable percentage by your income. Divide by 12. That's the monthly amount the government has decided you should reasonably pay toward the benchmark Silver plan.

Step 3: Find the benchmark Silver plan price for your area

This is where "your zip code matters" comes in. In Palm Beach County, the benchmark Silver plan for a 40-year-old is typically around $570-$640/month in 2027 pricing. For a 60-year-old, around $1,210-$1,350/month. Older applicants and higher-cost regions push this up.

For a family, you add each person's individual premium together (children pay a set lower rate up to age 20).

You can also get a rough estimate using the interactive subsidy calculator on this site — it uses Palm Beach County benchmark pricing.

Step 4: Subtract to get your subsidy

Your subsidy = (Benchmark Silver premium) − (Expected contribution from Step 2). If the answer is negative, no subsidy. If positive, that's your monthly subsidy.

The "make too much" trap

The most common mistake I see is people at $90,000-$150,000 income assuming they earn too much to qualify. Under the enhanced subsidies that are still in place, there is no upper income limit. A single 55-year-old earning $125,000 in Boca Raton still typically gets a $200-400/month subsidy because their benchmark plan is expensive enough that 8.5% of income doesn't cover it.

Self-employed? A few extra tips

If you're a 1099 contractor, Uber/DoorDash driver, real estate agent, or small business owner, your projected income is a bit of an art. A few things to know:

• The number you enter is net self-employment income after deductible business expenses.
• You can also deduct your ACA premiums on Schedule 1 (self-employed health insurance deduction), which lowers next year's income further. It's a small subsidy on top of the subsidy.
• If your income changes materially mid-year, log back into Healthcare.gov and update it. The subsidy adjusts monthly going forward.

What if I qualify for zero premium at all?

If your income is between 100% and 150% of FPL, most benchmark Silver plans in Florida come to $0/month. On top of that, you get Cost-Sharing Reductions — reduced deductibles and copays — that make a Silver plan behave almost like a Gold or Platinum plan. This tier is one of the best deals in American healthcare and most people who qualify don't know it. If you're in this range, please call. It's worth 15 minutes.

Common questions

How do I estimate my 2027 ACA subsidy in Florida?

Use the four-step method above, or shortcut it with the interactive calculator. For an exact number, submit your info through the calculator page and I'll call you back today.

Do ACA subsidies still exist in 2027?

Yes. The enhanced subsidies extended through 2027 are still active as of this writing. If Congress doesn't extend them again, they revert to pre-ARPA rules starting in 2028.

What income should I use for my 2027 subsidy estimate?

Your best realistic projection of 2027 Modified Adjusted Gross Income. For most W-2 employees, this is close to your gross wages plus any interest, dividends, and capital gains. For self-employed, it's net income after business deductions.

How much do most Palm Beach County families actually pay after ACA subsidies?

Most land between $0 and $350 a month for Silver plans. Bronze plans are lower. Gold plans are higher but come with lower deductibles.

When does 2027 ACA Open Enrollment start in Florida?

November 1, 2026 through December 15, 2026. Read our full Open Enrollment 2027 guide for the shortened-window details.