What is the name of the health insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act?

The health insurance marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act is called the Health Insurance Marketplace.

These marketplaces are organized exchanges where individuals and families can compare and buy private health plans that meet ACA requirements. They are not insurers themselves. Instead, they provide a regulated marketplace, determine which plans may be offered, and help eligible applicants obtain premium tax credits or other financial assistance.

The ACA, formally the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, became law on 23 March 2010. Marketplace enrollment began on 1 October 2013, with the first plans taking effect on 1 January 2014. Some states operate their own exchanges, while others use the federally operated HealthCare.gov platform.

A common mix-up is confusing the marketplace with Medicaid or Medicare. Medicaid is a public program for eligible low-income people, and Medicare mainly serves older adults and certain disabled people. Marketplace plans are generally private insurance policies sold through an ACA exchange, although the application process can also screen applicants for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.