ACA Marketplace plans and tax credits in Tennessee

What the Marketplace is

The Health Insurance Marketplace® is where individuals and families who don't get coverage through a job can buy private health insurance plans that follow ACA rules. Tennessee uses the federal Marketplace at HealthCare.gov. Every Marketplace plan covers the ACA's essential health benefits, and insurers can't turn you down or charge you more because of a pre-existing condition.

For 2026, 569,310 Tennesseans picked a Marketplace plan, and 71.5% of them used an agent or broker (CMS).

Metal levels: bronze, silver, gold

Plans are grouped by how you and the plan split costs. Bronze plans have the lowest monthly premiums and the highest costs when you get care; gold plans are the reverse; silver is in between.

Tennessee 2026 sign-ups by metal level: bronze 319,290 (56%), silver 213,810 (38%), gold 36,113 (6%), platinum 97 (CMS).

Premium tax credits

A premium tax credit lowers your monthly premium. How much you get depends on your expected household income for the coverage year and your household size, and it is tied to the price of the benchmark (second-lowest-cost silver) plan where you live. You can take it in advance each month or claim it when you file taxes; either way it is reconciled on your federal return.

In 2026, 514,288 Tennessee enrollees (90%) received advance credits averaging $772 a month, leaving them an average premium of $67 a month (CMS).

The temporary, larger tax credits that applied from 2021 through 2025 expired at the end of 2025 (KFF), so the 2026 figures above already reflect the regular credit rules. HealthCare.gov posts 2027 income levels and savings on November 1.

Estimate your income carefully. If your income ends up higher than you estimated, you may owe some of the advance credit back at tax time.

Cost-sharing reductions (extra savings on silver plans)

If your income qualifies, a silver plan can come with lower deductibles and copays. 196,796 Tennessee enrollees had these cost-sharing reductions in 2026 (CMS). You only get them if you pick a silver plan.

Who usually can't get a tax credit

• People with an offer of affordable job-based coverage that meets minimum standards (this generally includes a spouse's family coverage).
• People eligible for Medicare, TennCare or other qualifying coverage.
• Married couples who don't file jointly, apart from limited exceptions.

When you can enroll

Outside Open Enrollment you need a Special Enrollment Period, usually triggered by a life event such as losing other coverage, moving, marriage or a new baby.

Open Enrollment 2027 guide