Affordable Insurance Exchanges

Affordable Insurance Exchanges are designed to make buying health coverage easier and more affordable. Starting in 2014, Exchanges will allow individuals and small businesses to compare health plans, get answers to questions, find out if they are eligible for tax credits for private insurance or health programs like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and enroll in a health plan that meets their needs. 

An Exchange can help you:

• Look for and compare private health plans.
• Get answers to questions about your health coverage options.
• Find out if you’re eligible for health programs or tax credits that make coverage more affordable.
• Enroll in a health plan that meets your needs.

What This Means for You

• For individuals and families, the Exchange is a single place where you can enroll in private or public health insurance coverage.
• For small employers, the Exchange is a way to level the playing field, where you have better choice of plans and insurers at a lower cost, the way larger employers do now.

For More Information

• Find detailed technical and regulatory information on Affordable Insurance Exchanges.
• Learn more about Exchanges and Essential Health Benefits.
• Report: States Moving Forward to Implement Affordable Insurance Exchanges (PDF - 116 KB).
• HealthCare Blog: A Health Care Marketplace to Help You Find Insurance.
• Fact Sheet: Seamless Access to Affordable Coverage.
• Use our interactive FAQ tool to find answers to insurance coverage-related questions or ask your own at answers.healthcare.gov.

Posted on: July 11, 2011

Last updated: January 25, 2012