Two different paths to coverage, based mainly on income.
Medicaid is a government health coverage program primarily based on income, run jointly by state and federal governments, with eligibility rules that vary by state. Marketplace insurance refers to private health plans sold through the ACA marketplace, which may come with income-based subsidies but are administered differently than Medicaid.
Generally, if your household income falls below a certain threshold relative to the federal poverty level, you may be directed toward Medicaid instead of marketplace subsidies, though the exact cutoff depends on your state, since some states expanded Medicaid eligibility and others did not.
You don't need to figure out in advance which program applies to you. When you check your eligibility, the process is designed to point you toward the right type of coverage based on your actual income and household details.
Medicaid often has little to no premium or cost-sharing depending on your state and income level, while marketplace plans involve choosing between private insurance companies and plan tiers. Both are legitimate paths to real coverage — which one applies depends on your situation, not which one is "better."
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page or read the full Coverage Guide.