CMS Marketplace registry guides
ACA Health Insurance Guides
Guides on how CMS files ACA marketplace premiums, metal tiers, listed subsidies, and county cost variation.
- $640
- National Silver avg/mo
- 2,055
- Counties tracked
- 183
- Marketplace issuers
- 97,082
- ACA plans listed
Two boards, two leaders
According to CMS Marketplace Public Use Files, Monroe, Florida leads listed Silver averages at $1,318/mo (#1 of 2,055) while ranking #1,449 of 2,055 by plan count; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas leads issuer footprint at 546 plans (#1 of 183) at average-premium rank #58 of 183.
- $1,318
- Monroe, FL Silver #1 of 2,055
- #1,449 of 2,055
- Monroe plan-count rank
- 546
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas plans #1 of 183
- #58 of 183
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas avg-premium rank
Highest listed Silver average = county #1. Most listed plans = issuer #1. Registry facts from the loaded CMS PUF vintage, not a plan recommendation.
Metal inventory · plans
How 97,082 listed marketplace plans split by CMS metal level
Exclusive CMS metal_level counts (Expanded Bronze kept separate) - orthogonal to the Silver-average vs issuer plan-count ranks above.
Understanding ACA Subsidies: Who Qualifies and How Much You Save
How Premium Tax Credits work, income thresholds from 100%–400% FPL, the 2026 subsidy cliff, Cost-Sharing Reductions, and examples at different income levels.
Bronze vs Silver vs Gold: How to Choose Your ACA Metal Level
What actuarial value means, when each metal tier saves you money, how to run a total annual cost comparison, and a quick decision guide for different health situations.
ACA Open Enrollment Checklist: What to Do Before You Enroll
Step-by-step preparation for marketplace shopping, key dates, documents needed, income verification, plan comparison tips, and special enrollment periods.
Why Health Insurance Costs Vary So Much by County
Geographic rating, issuer competition, risk pool effects, and provider market power explain why ACA premiums differ dramatically from county to county.
How Insurance Carrier Competition Affects Your Premiums
Counties with more ACA insurers have lower premiums. Learn about monopoly markets, carrier entry and exit patterns, and what competition means for your plan options.
ACA Premium Trends 2022-2026: What the Data Shows
Five-year analysis of marketplace premiums, the stabilization era, medical cost inflation, subsidy expiration, and what regional patterns mean for your costs.
Explore the Data
Disclaimer: Guides on this site are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial or insurance advice. Always verify current plan details at HealthCare.gov or with a licensed navigator before making enrollment decisions.
Methodology
Our guides are based on publicly available data from authoritative government sources. All statistics, ratings, and figures cited in these guides are drawn directly from official datasets and publications, with sources clearly referenced throughout.
We aim to present complex government data in plain language that is accessible to general audiences. When methodologies differ between data sources or change over time, we note these variations inline. Our editorial process includes regular reviews to ensure accuracy and timeliness of the information presented.
Download marketplace catalog CSV - registry facts cited in these guides.