The subsidy makes this closer than sticker price suggests
A Marketplace premium can look far more expensive than an employer's paycheck deduction — but once a premium tax credit and the employer's HSA money are both counted, the real gap is often much smaller. See the ACA Marketplace Subsidy Calculator to explore the credit on its own.
Frequently asked questions
Why use the out-of-pocket max as the spending estimate?
This caps your estimated spending at either your expected medical costs or your plan's out-of-pocket maximum, whichever is lower — it doesn't model the exact split between deductible and coinsurance in between, since that varies by plan design. Treat it as a reasonable estimate, not an exact bill.
Does the employer HSA contribution really offset the cost?
Yes — money your employer puts into your HSA is real, usable-for-medical-expenses compensation, so subtracting it gives a fairer comparison than looking at premium and deductible alone.
What if I'd lose employer HSA eligibility on the Marketplace?
You can still contribute to an HSA with a qualifying high-deductible Marketplace plan, but there's no employer match — this only counts an employer contribution on the employer-plan side, which is usually the realistic case.
Last updated: June 2026