What is off-exchange health insurance?

"Off-exchange" health insurance refers to health insurance that is not purchased through your state's health insurance exchange. This article will explain where and when you can get off-exchange coverage and how it's regulated. Each state has an official exchange, established under the Affordable Care Act.

What is an off exchange plan?

The term off exchange plan describes a health insurance policy that you buy directly from an insurance carrier or a licensed broker (like eHealth) outside of an official state or federal ACA (Affordable Care Act) Marketplace.

What is an on exchange insurance plan?

In many cases, an insurance carrier will offer both an on exchange and off exchange plan with the same coverage. This is done to increase consumer choice. On exchange plans also often require less out of pocket, as these plans are eligible for subsidies that substantially cut insurance costs.

What does “on the exchange” mean?

The term “on the exchange” refers to buying coverage that will be subsidized through premiums credits and/or cost sharing reductions. If you are buying “on the exchange,” you are in the 100-400% of the Federal Poverty Limit and have do not have access to group coverage through an employer or a spouse’s employer.