Jump to: Overview, Eligibility, Tips for Students, How to apply, What to Expect After Applying,  Outside Help.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The Affordable Care Act, ACA, Obamacare, Health Insurance Marketplace, Healthcare.gov are all the same thing. The goal of this program is to make affordable health insurance available to more people. The healthcare insurance plans purchased through the marketplace are administered by private health insurance agencies and subsidized by the federal government. The subsidy is called the premium tax credit and is based on the individual's income level. The subsidy ranges from $0 to $400 (2024) for people living in Montana. The largest downside of this option is that apart for emergency services it only provides insurance in the state it was obtained in.

Eligibility

  • The law provides consumers with subsidies (“premium tax credits”) that lower costs for households with incomes between $20,782 and $60,240 (138% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, 2024) Below 138% you may qualify for Medicaid.
  • The open enrollment period is November 1 – January 15, outside this period there are special enrollment periods that open when the applicant has a life event like losing other coverage, moving, getting married, or having a baby.
  • If you are not offered employer coverage (or those who face unaffordable employer coverage) 
  • You must have an address in the state you are applying for benefits.
  • An Helpful Tool to see ACA plans and get estimates before you apply is available, it will ask you some basic questions about your income, family size and location.

Student Specific Tips

  • If you are a dependent under the age of 26, you are included in your parent’s tax household.
    • If your parents live in Montana, you can be included in your parents’ application.
    • If your parents live outside of Montana, you can apply yourself in Montana, but your parents’ income is still a factor when determining benefits.
  • If no one claims you as a dependent you should fill out your own application.
  • As an MSU student you must have insurance. Marketplace plans fulfill this requirement.
  • Acute and primary care services are free to fulltime students (taking over 6 credits) through Student health partners. Call 406-994-2311 to schedule.
  • Student Health Partners Pharmacy will bill your plan for prescriptions.

Examples of Potentially Medicaid Eligible Students

A 26yo student who recently lost their parents insurance, they work all year round but are not offered health insurance from their employer at a youth camp in the summers and make $15,000/year.

A 19yo student whose parents do not have health insurance, they can apply independently as long as they are not claimed as a dependent.

A 27yo international graduate student who works part time and earns $23,000/year either through work or through a scholarship. 

The Application Process

Healthcare.gov website is the fastest way to apply.  It walks you through a streamlined application and gives immediate results. You can also apply over the phone at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) or even fill out a paper application.

What you will need: Printable PDF Checklist

  • Information about your household, this includes your spouse, children, anyone you include in your taxes.
  • Home and/or mailing address, you will have to have an address in the state you are applying for coverage in.
  • Your Social Security Number, both for yourself and anyone in your household
  • Information about any professional helping you apply --this resource does not count—but in the need help section of this page there are quality resources to help you.
  • Immigration document information (only applies to lawfully present immigrants)
  • Employer and income information, the application will try to assess how much you will make in the upcoming year. There is a handy tool for calculating your estimated income. But the application will also walk you through this.
  • Information on your current health coverage—if any

What to Expect After Applying

If you use the online application, you will receive immediate results and be directed to the marketplace where you can select an insurance plan. Before gaining access to the marketplace, you will have to download your individual eligibility PDF.

Plans start on the first of the month after you have paid your first premium. You can pay your premium by going to Healthcare.gov, logging into your account, choosing your application, under existing application, click on blue button to “Pay Your First Health Insurance Monthly Premium”, select the green button “pay for Health plan now” which will bring you to your health insurance company’s website to pay. To verify coverage, it is recommended you call the insurance company, and they can confirm you are enrolled and paid your first premium.

Outside Resources