Louisiana Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

Louisiana Marketplace: HealthCare.gov

Louisiana uses a federally-facilitated marketplace (FFM) called HealthCare.gov. Louisiana residents enroll at HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in Louisiana: Healthy Louisiana

Louisiana expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Healthy Louisiana covers adults to 138% FPL.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Louisiana)

Statewide average monthly second-lowest-cost Silver plan (SLCSP) premiums by age. Actual premiums vary by rating area.

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$460$521$587$821$1,247

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Louisiana)

MAGI above these amounts zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit. FPL region: contiguous48.

Household size12345
400% FPL cliff$62,600$84,600$106,600$128,600$150,600

Key Facts: Louisiana ACA

Louisiana expanded Medicaid in 2016 under Governor John Bel Edwards via Executive Order JBE 16-01, making it a notable expansion in the Deep South — a region where most states have declined to expand. The program enrolled more than 500,000 previously uninsured adults in its first year. Healthy Louisiana, the state's Medicaid managed care program, now covers adults earning up to 138% FPL through a network of managed care organizations.

Louisiana uses HealthCare.gov (FFM) for marketplace enrollment, meaning the federal government controls plan certification and the consumer interface. Louisiana has not enacted a state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. The enhanced PTCs under the American Rescue Plan expired December 31, 2025, and Louisiana residents above 400% FPL ($62,600 for HH=1) receive no premium assistance in 2026.

Louisiana's marketplace premiums are moderately above the national average, reflecting a less competitive insurer market and higher underlying healthcare costs in parts of the state. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) administers Medicaid Expansion and the Healthy Louisiana program.

Calculate your Louisiana ACA cliff

Inputs default to Louisiana; adjust to your household specifics. Cliff = $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4).

Your situation

Member ages
self

Coverage

Income

You're under the cliff

100%138%200%300%400%

You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.

Annual PTC
$2,064
$172 / month
MAGI headroom before cliff
$12,600
until you hit 400% FPL

PTC dollar values use a state-level SLCSP estimate; verify your exact second-lowest-cost Silver plan on healthcare.gov for your zip.

Primary Sources

  1. Louisiana Department of Health — Medicaid Expansion
    “Medicaid Expansion is full coverage Medicaid that will pay for doctor visits, lab work, and hospital care.”

FAQ — Louisiana ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Louisiana?
For a household of 1, MAGI above $62,600 (400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base) zeros out the federal Premium Tax Credit under IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-25. Household of 4: $128,600. Louisiana has no state subsidy backfill, so crossing this threshold eliminates all premium assistance.
How did Louisiana expand Medicaid?
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed Executive Order JBE 16-01 in January 2016, directing the Louisiana Department of Health to apply for ACA Medicaid expansion. This made Louisiana the 31st expansion state, and notably the first in the Deep South to expand under a Democratic governor. The expansion took effect July 1, 2016.
How do I enroll in marketplace coverage in Louisiana?
Louisiana uses HealthCare.gov (the federal FFM marketplace). Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. You can apply for Healthy Louisiana (Medicaid) through medicaid.louisiana.gov year-round. HealthCare.gov screens for Medicaid eligibility automatically during marketplace applications.
Does Louisiana have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
No. Louisiana has no state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. Residents rely entirely on federal APTC, which ends above 400% FPL ($62,600 for HH=1). The American Rescue Plan enhanced PTCs expired December 31, 2025.
What is Healthy Louisiana?
Healthy Louisiana is Louisiana's Medicaid managed care program. It covers low-income adults (to 138% FPL under expansion), children, pregnant women, and other eligible populations through a network of managed care organizations. The program is administered by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
How is SLCSP calculated for Louisiana?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Louisiana are: Age 21: $460/mo, Age 30: $521/mo, Age 40: $587/mo, Age 50: $821/mo, Age 60: $1,247/mo. These are statewide averages; your specific parish may vary ±20–30%. The federal cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.
Can I reduce my MAGI to stay below the 2026 cliff in Louisiana?
Yes — common strategies include maximizing HSA contributions, deductible IRA or SEP-IRA/Solo 401(k) contributions if self-employed, harvesting capital losses, and deferring Roth conversions. Because Louisiana has no state subsidy above 400% FPL, staying below the federal cliff is especially valuable.

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