If you had a 2015 Marketplace health plan and used premium tax credits to lower your monthly payment, you'll need to "reconcile" when you file your federal tax return. Reconciling can affect either the amount of your refund or the amount of tax you owe.

To reconcile, you'll compare 2 figures:

• The amount of premium tax credit you used in advance during the year. (This was paid directly to your health plan so your monthly payment was lower.)
• The premium tax credit you actually qualify for based on your final 2015 income.

If you used more premium tax credit than you qualify for, you’ll pay the difference with your federal taxes. If you used less, you'll get the difference toward a refund.

See a step-by-step guide to reconciling your premium tax credit.

IMPORTANT You must have your Form 1095-A to complete this process. Don’t have your 1095-A? See how to find it.

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Open Enrollment for a 2016 Marketplace health plan is over. But in some cases, you may still be able to get health insurance for 2016.

• If you experience a qualifying event for health insurance — like getting married, having a baby, or losing other coverage — you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. If you do, you can enroll in a Marketplace plan outside the annual Open Enrollment Period.
• You can apply for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) any time of year. If you qualify, coverage can start immediately.
• Members of federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native shareholders can enroll in Marketplace coverage any time of year. They can change plans as often as once a month.

Are you eligible?

Just answer a few questions to find out if you qualify for either a Special Enrollment Period or Medicaid and CHIP.

SEE IF YOU QUALIFY

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Most people who didn’t have qualifying health coverage in 2015 must either pay a fee or get a "health coverage exemption."

Exemptions are available based on a number of circumstances, like certain hardships, some life events, health coverage or financial status, and membership in some groups. If you qualify and get an exemption, you don’t have to pay the fee.

If you didn’t have coverage for some or all months of 2015, use our exemption tool by using the button below to find health coverage exemptions that may work for you. Just answer a few questions, and we’ll show you:

• Exemptions that may apply to you, including one you may claim on your tax return if insurance is unaffordable to you
• Details to help you see if you qualify
• Step-by-step instructions for how to apply, including links to forms you need

USE OUR EXEMPTIONS TOOL

Important: While the tool provides a lot of useful information, it’s not an exemption application. It can only show you if one of the health care exemptions may work for you, and how to apply.

Learn more about how to apply for an exemption.

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If you (or anyone in your household) had a Marketplace health plan for 2015, keep an eye out for Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement in the mail. It should arrive through the U.S. mail by mid-February, and it’ll also appear online in your Marketplace account.

You’ll need it to file your 2015 federal income tax return and figure out your final 2015 premium tax credit, if you qualify for one.

IMPORTANT Don’t file your taxes until you have an accurate 1095-A.

How to use your 1095-A

1. Read the instructions on the back carefully, and make sure everything is accurate. If it’s not, contact the Marketplace Call Center.
2. Make sure the information about the “second lowest cost Silver Plan” (SLCSP) is complete. If zeroes show on Part III, column B of the form, you can look up the correct amounts.
3. Once everything is correct, you’ll use Form 1095-A to figure out your final premium tax credit and reconcile any part of this that you used in advance to lower your premiums. That means you’ll compare the premium tax credit you used in 2015 with the tax credit you actually qualify for based on your final income.

Need help?

• Learn more about Form 1095-A, including how to find it online.
• See a step-by-step guide to reconciling your premium tax credit on Form 8962.

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The last day to apply for and enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan for 2016 was January 31, 2016.

IMPORTANT If you enrolled in a Marketplace health plan for 2016 before the deadline, be sure to pay your first premium to your insurance company, not to the Marketplace, to complete your enrollment.

You may still be able to get coverage

If you didn’t meet the Open Enrollment deadline, you may still be able to get 2016 health insurance if you:

• Have a qualifying life event — like getting married, having a baby, or losing health coverage — that qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period.
• Qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid and CHIP. You can apply any time, all year.

More on Special Enrollment Periods

• Learn more about Special Enrollment Periods, including what changes may qualify and how to report them.
• Not sure if you qualify? Just answer a few questions, and we’ll show you your next steps.
• If you already know you qualify, you can log in to update your application and get new eligibility results. Get more detailed instructions here.

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