How to Get Free or Low-Cost Health Insurance

Summary

There are a variety of ways to access subsidized health coverage in the U.S. Some plans are free, including most Medicaid plans. Some employer-sponsored plans and marketplace plans can also be low-cost when an employer or government subsidies cover the full cost of coverage.

Other plans have small premiums. For example, most employer-sponsored health plans and many plans bought outside the marketplace are more costly.

There are also non-ACA-compliant plans, such as short-term medical insurance, that tend to have low premiums but also lower-quality benefits. These are not right for everyone and are generally a "last resort" for coverage.