Which of the following is available ONLY if the consumer purchases coverage in the health insurance exchange?

• A. Guaranteed issue
• B. Access to premium tax credits and reduced cost sharing
• C. No preexisting condition exclusions
• D. Free preventative care

Answer: (B)

Subsidies that lower your monthly premium and out-of-pocket costs are tied to buying coverage through the health insurance exchange. These are premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, and they’re available only to people who enroll in plans purchased on the marketplace and who meet income guidelines. If you shop outside the exchange, you generally don’t qualify for those subsidies, so you’d pay the full premium and higher out-of-pocket costs.

Protections like guaranteed issue, no preexisting condition exclusions, and free preventive care are ACA features that apply to ACA-compliant plans whether you buy on or off the exchange, so they aren’t exclusive to marketplace enrollment.