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Notice: During the government shutdown, continue using your 2025 health insurance plan and providers. Use this site to apply for and enroll in 2026 coverage during Marketplace Open Enrollment.

New in 2026: More plans now work with Health Savings Accounts

Notice:
More people than ever before can use
to help pay for their health care!
As a result of the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation signed into law by President Trump, more 2026 Marketplace plans — including all Bronze and Catastrophic health plans — now work with Health Savings Accounts to help you pay your share of costs for health care. 
You can contribute to a Health Savings Account when you're enrolled in an eligible
, like a Bronze or Catastrophic plan. 
  • Setting aside money in a Health Savings Account for health care costs, like
    ,
    , and
    , helps save you money and lowers your taxable income and what you might owe when you file taxes.
  • You decide how much to contribute to your Health Savings Account based on your budget. There's no minimum amount (but there’s a yearly limit).
  • The amount in your Health Savings Account rolls over year to year and can earn interest, putting more money in your account to cover your health care needs.
To save money on health care costs through a Health Savings Account, you must enroll in a plan that is specifically eligible to be used with a Health Savings Account, like any Bronze or Catastrophic plan or another Marketplace plan that’s designated as eligible for a Health Savings Account.

What’s a Health Savings Account, and how does it work?

A Health Savings Account saves you money on health care costs by letting you set aside money to pay for qualified medical expenses, like deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and even some dental, drug, and vision expenses, without paying taxes on it. (Funds generally can’t be used to pay plan premiums.) These accounts are offered by banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions. 
This money stays in your account until you need it for medical care and often earns interest, helping it grow over time. You choose how much to contribute based on your budget — even small monthly contributions can add up significantly over time. There's no minimum amount you need to put in, but there’s a yearly limit you can't go over. 
Health Savings Accounts provide several tax benefits: you can deduct contributions from your taxable income, what you don’t spend stays in the account and rolls over year to year, and any interest earned isn’t taxed. When you file your taxes, the money you put into your account lowers the amount of income you have to pay taxes on. By using untaxed dollars to pay for eligible medical expenses, you can lower your out-of-pocket health care costs.
Get details on how Health Savings Accounts work. 
 

When to consider Bronze & Catastrophic plans

For 2026, all Bronze and Catastrophic plans now work with Health Savings Accounts. If you're thinking about these plan types, here's what you need to know:
  • Bronze plans generally have the lowest monthly premiums but higher
    when you need care. Many cover services while you’re paying the deductible. They can be a good choice if you usually use a few medical services and mostly want protection from very high costs if you get seriously sick or injured. Learn more about Bronze plans.
  • Catastrophic plans have lower monthly premiums but the highest out-of-pocket costs and cover at least 3 primary care visits per year before you finish paying the deductible. They help protect you if something serious happens, like a major accident or unexpected illness. These plans are available to people under 30 or those over 30 who qualify for hardship or affordability exemptions. Learn more about Catastrophic health plans and what they cover.
Notice:
Starting in 2026, a hardship exemption will expand Catastrophic plan eligibility to anyone who isn’t eligible for savings on Marketplace coverage due to their income, if these plans are offered in your area. To find out if you qualify for a hardship exemption to enroll in Catastrophic coverage, tell us that you want to know if you qualify for financial help when you apply for coverage.
  • If you don't qualify for the premium tax credit due to your income, you'll automatically qualify for a hardship exemption to enroll in a Catastrophic plan (if available in your area). These plans will be available for you to compare during enrollment.
  • If you qualify for the premium tax credit but don’t qualify for extra savings (sometimes called “cost sharing reductions”) to lower your out-of-pocket expenses, you can apply separately for a hardship exemption to find out if you're eligible to enroll in Catastrophic coverage. Get more information on qualifying for an exemption.

Bronze & Catastrophic Plans: Side-by-side comparison

When choosing a plan for you and your household, think about your income, health needs, and what's available in your area. Bronze plans with Health Savings Accounts are usually a better deal than Catastrophic plans. But, in some areas, a Catastrophic plan might be your best option.
Bronze & Catastrophic plan details
Key features:Bronze plans:Catastrophic plans:
Availability Available everywhereNot available in all states or areas
Plan optionsVariety of choicesLimited (may only be 1-2 plans where available)
Monthly premiumsSimilar or may be lower cost than Catastrophic Usually low premiums, but may be higher than Bronze 
Services before deductibleCan cover several services before deductible is metOffers 3 primary care visits during deductible period
Eligibility for the premium tax creditYes, can use the premium tax credit to lower your monthly costs, if you qualifyNo, can’t use premium tax credit if you qualify. You pay full price for the premium

How to start a Health Savings Account

Enroll in a plan that is eligible to use with a Health Savings Account.
Get details on plans that work with Health Savings Accounts.
After you enroll, open a Health Savings Account. 
Discover how to find and set up a Health Savings Account.
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