Guide
Do you enroll on HealthCare.gov — or your own state's marketplace?
Every state has access to a Marketplace, but the operating model differs. For plan year 2026, CMS identifies three routes. The practical job is to reach the official application without relying on a stale third-party list.
Three 2026 Marketplace models
CMS's plan-year map distinguishes these operating models:
- •Federally facilitated Marketplace (FFM) — HealthCare.gov handles eligibility and enrollment.
- •State-based Marketplace on the federal platform (SBM-FP) — the state operates its Marketplace and uses the federal platform for key functions.
- •State-based Marketplace (SBM) — the state runs its own Marketplace platform and official website.
Why it actually matters
The plans and prices in your area are still set by insurers in your rating area either way. But the marketplace you use changes practical things:
- •The website and phone help you use to enroll and get support.
- •Your enrollment dates. Several state marketplaces run longer open-enrollment windows than the federal one.
- •Where your official result lives. Plan availability, exact price, eligibility, documents, and enrollment status must be verified on the platform serving your state.
How to find yours in one step
Start at HealthCare.gov's state routing pageand enter your state. If your state runs its own marketplace, the site sends you straight to it. That redirect is the definitive answer — no need to memorize which states are which, since the list changes as states transition.
Open your state's benchmark record
Read the sourced 2026 state average, its definition, and its boundary before you open a current personal quote on the official Marketplace.
Common questions
How do I know if my state uses HealthCare.gov or its own marketplace?
Use HealthCare.gov's official state routing page. For plan year 2026, CMS lists 27 federally facilitated Marketplace states, 3 state-based Marketplaces on the federal platform, and 21 state-based Marketplaces. Source: CMS; HealthCare.gov.
Does the Marketplace model tell me what I'll pay?
No. It tells you which official platform handles the application. Current plans, prices, financial help, and enrollment availability come from the official Marketplace result for your state and household.
Is enrolling directly always free?
Yes. Enrolling through the official marketplace — HealthCare.gov or your state's site — is always free, and we earn nothing from it. We show that direct option first, everywhere on this site.
Source: HealthCare.gov; the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on state-based marketplaces. The number of state-run marketplaces changes as states transition — confirm your state's platform and dates at HealthCare.gov or your state marketplace. General information, not financial advice. Published January 2026 · Last reviewed: 2026.