North Dakota Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

North Dakota Marketplace: HealthCare.gov

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

Medicaid in North Dakota: Medicaid (ND Department of Human Services)

North Dakota expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Medicaid (ND Department of Human Services) covers adults to 138% FPL.

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (North Dakota)

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

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$405$458$517$722$1,098

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (North Dakota)

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: North Dakota ACA

North Dakota expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2014 through a legislative vote — one of the early Republican-led states to do so. The North Dakota Legislative Assembly approved expansion in 2013, making it one of the more conservative states to embrace the ACA's Medicaid expansion in its first year. North Dakota Medicaid covers adults with income up to 138% FPL and is administered by the North Dakota Department of Human Services.

North Dakota uses HealthCare.gov (FFM) for marketplace enrollment. During the 2026 open enrollment period, 41,014 North Dakota residents selected private marketplace plans. Three insurers — Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medica Health Plans, and Sanford Health Plan — offered coverage. More than seven out of ten North Dakota enrollees qualified for premium subsidies averaging $462/month in savings. North Dakota's open enrollment window closes December 15 (shorter than most states), so early enrollment is advisable.

North Dakota has not enacted a state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. The enhanced PTCs under the American Rescue Plan expired December 31, 2025, and North Dakota residents above 400% FPL receive no premium assistance in 2026.

Calculate your North Dakota ACA cliff

Inputs default to North Dakota; 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
$1,608
$134 / 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. healthinsurance.org — North Dakota Marketplace
    “North Dakota uses the federally-facilitated Marketplace through HealthCare.gov for ACA coverage.”
  2. KFF — Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions
    “41 states (including DC) have adopted the Medicaid expansion and 10 states have not adopted the expansion.”

FAQ — North Dakota ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in North Dakota?
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. North Dakota has no state subsidy backfill, so crossing this threshold eliminates all premium assistance.
When did North Dakota expand Medicaid?
North Dakota expanded Medicaid under the ACA in 2014. The North Dakota Legislative Assembly approved expansion in 2013, making North Dakota one of the early Republican-led states to adopt Medicaid expansion in its first year. Medicaid covers adults with income up to 138% FPL through the North Dakota Department of Human Services.
How do I enroll in 2026 marketplace coverage in North Dakota?
North Dakota uses HealthCare.gov (the federal FFM marketplace). Note that North Dakota's open enrollment window closes December 15 — earlier than the January 15 deadline in most other states. Apply for North Dakota Medicaid year-round through the ND Department of Human Services.
Does North Dakota have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
No. North Dakota 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.
How is SLCSP calculated for North Dakota?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for North Dakota are: Age 21: $405/mo, Age 30: $458/mo, Age 40: $517/mo, Age 50: $722/mo, Age 60: $1,098/mo. These are statewide averages; your specific county may vary. 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 North Dakota?
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 North Dakota has no state subsidy above 400% FPL, staying below the federal cliff has full dollar impact.

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