What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Maryland?

The federal PTC cliff is at $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4) — 400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base. Maryland's HB 1082 state premium assistance softens the impact below that cliff: 100% replacement of lost enhanced PTC for households below 200% FPL, and partial replacement from 200-400% FPL. Above 400% FPL, no subsidy — state or federal — applies.

What is the Maryland State Premium Assistance (HB 1082)?

HB 1082, enacted by the Maryland General Assembly in 2025, is a one-year state program providing premium assistance to replace the expired federal enhanced PTCs. Households below 200% FPL receive 100% replacement; households from 200-400% FPL receive partial replacement. The program is administered through Maryland Health Connection and is automatic for eligible enrollees — no separate application required.

What is the Young Adult Subsidy in Maryland?

Maryland's Young Adult Subsidy, enacted via HB 1090 in 2021, provides additional state premium assistance for marketplace enrollees aged 18-37 earning 138-400% FPL. This ongoing program predates the federal enhanced PTC expiration and stacks with both federal APTC and the HB 1082 assistance for young adult enrollees.

How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in Maryland?

Use Maryland Health Connection at marylandhealthconnection.gov. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 (Maryland may extend). State subsidies (HB 1082 and Young Adult Subsidy) are automatically applied during enrollment for eligible households. Maryland Medicaid applications can also be submitted through Maryland Health Connection.

What is the Medicaid threshold in Maryland?

Maryland expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL ($22,597 for a single adult in 2026) qualify for Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance), delivered through HealthChoice managed care organizations. Children and pregnant women qualify at higher income levels.

How is SLCSP calculated for Maryland?

The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Maryland are: Age 21: $380/mo, Age 30: $431/mo, Age 40: $485/mo, Age 50: $678/mo, Age 60: $1,031/mo. These are among the lower SLCSP rates in the Southeast. Your specific county 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 Maryland?

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. Maryland's HB 1082 assistance reduces — but does not eliminate — the cliff below 400% FPL. Above 400% FPL, no state assistance applies, so strategies to stay below the cliff remain highly valuable.

Maryland Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated May 13, 2026

Maryland Marketplace: Maryland Health Connection

Maryland uses a state-based marketplace (SBM) called Maryland Health Connection. Maryland residents enroll at Maryland Health Connection — not HealthCare.gov.

Medicaid in Maryland: Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance; HealthChoice = MCO delivery)

Maryland expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance; HealthChoice = MCO delivery) covers adults to 138% FPL.

State Subsidy Backfill

Maryland State Premium Assistance via HB 1082 (2025) — one-year program replacing 100% of lost federal subsidy for households below 200% FPL; partial replacement from 200% to 400% FPL. Stacks with pre-existing Young Adult Subsidy (HB 1090, 2021) for enrollees aged 18-37 at 138-400% FPL.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Maryland)

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

Age	21	30	40	50	60
Monthly SLCSP	$380	$431	$485	$678	$1,031

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Maryland)

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

Household size	1	2	3	4	5
400% FPL cliff	$62,600	$84,600	$106,600	$128,600	$150,600

Key Facts: Maryland ACA

Maryland has two separate state-funded health coverage subsidy programs active in 2026, making it one of the more protective states against the federal enhanced PTC expiration.

The first is the Maryland State Premium Assistance, enacted via HB 1082 (2025 legislative session). This one-year program provides 100% replacement of the expired federal enhanced PTC for households earning below 200% FPL — meaning Maryland residents in that income band pay the same premiums in 2026 as they did under the enhanced PTCs. Households between 200% and 400% FPL receive partial replacement. HB 1082 does not extend past the 400% FPL federal cliff.

The second is the Young Adult Subsidy, enacted via HB 1090 in the 2021 legislative session and pre-dating the federal enhanced PTC expiration. This ongoing program provides additional state premium assistance for marketplace enrollees aged 18-37 at 138-400% FPL, layering on top of both the federal APTC and the HB 1082 assistance for eligible young adults.

Maryland Health Connection (marylandhealthconnection.gov) is the state-based marketplace; Maryland Medicaid covers adults to 138% FPL. Maryland's combination of a subsidized enrollment platform and dual state subsidy programs places it among the stronger state-level ACA protections in the Southeast region.

Calculate your Maryland ACA cliff

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

Your situation

Household size

State

Filing status

Member ages

selftobacco

Coverage

One or more members have employer-sponsored coverage offered

Income

Wages (W-2)

You're under the cliff

100%138%200%300%400%

You are at 319% of the federal poverty level.

Annual PTC: $840; $70 / 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

Maryland Health Benefit Exchange — Press Releases (HB 1082)
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Maryland Health Connection — Homepage
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FAQ — Maryland ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Maryland?: The federal PTC cliff is at $62,600 (HH=1) / $128,600 (HH=4) — 400% of the 2025 FPL contiguous-48 base. Maryland's HB 1082 state premium assistance softens the impact below that cliff: 100% replacement of lost enhanced PTC for households below 200% FPL, and partial replacement from 200-400% FPL. Above 400% FPL, no subsidy — state or federal — applies.
What is the Maryland State Premium Assistance (HB 1082)?: HB 1082, enacted by the Maryland General Assembly in 2025, is a one-year state program providing premium assistance to replace the expired federal enhanced PTCs. Households below 200% FPL receive 100% replacement; households from 200-400% FPL receive partial replacement. The program is administered through Maryland Health Connection and is automatic for eligible enrollees — no separate application required.
What is the Young Adult Subsidy in Maryland?: Maryland's Young Adult Subsidy, enacted via HB 1090 in 2021, provides additional state premium assistance for marketplace enrollees aged 18-37 earning 138-400% FPL. This ongoing program predates the federal enhanced PTC expiration and stacks with both federal APTC and the HB 1082 assistance for young adult enrollees.
How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in Maryland?: Use Maryland Health Connection at marylandhealthconnection.gov. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15 (Maryland may extend). State subsidies (HB 1082 and Young Adult Subsidy) are automatically applied during enrollment for eligible households. Maryland Medicaid applications can also be submitted through Maryland Health Connection.
What is the Medicaid threshold in Maryland?: Maryland expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL ($22,597 for a single adult in 2026) qualify for Maryland Medicaid (Medical Assistance), delivered through HealthChoice managed care organizations. Children and pregnant women qualify at higher income levels.
How is SLCSP calculated for Maryland?: The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Maryland are: Age 21: $380/mo, Age 30: $431/mo, Age 40: $485/mo, Age 50: $678/mo, Age 60: $1,031/mo. These are among the lower SLCSP rates in the Southeast. Your specific county 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 Maryland?: 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. Maryland's HB 1082 assistance reduces — but does not eliminate — the cliff below 400% FPL. Above 400% FPL, no state assistance applies, so strategies to stay below the cliff remain highly valuable.