Ohio Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

Ohio Marketplace: HealthCare.gov

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

Medicaid in Ohio: Ohio Medicaid

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

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Ohio)

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

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$410$464$523$731$1,111

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Ohio)

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: Ohio ACA

Ohio's Medicaid expansion in 2014 stands out for its mechanism. Governor John Kasich — a Republican — wanted to expand Medicaid but faced opposition in the Ohio House, which passed a budget explicitly prohibiting expansion. Rather than accept that legislative outcome, Kasich's administration went to the Ohio Controlling Board, a six-member legislative panel with authority to approve federal funds appropriations. In October 2013, the Controlling Board voted 5-2 to accept $2.56 billion in federal Medicaid expansion funds, authorizing expansion to begin January 1, 2014 without a floor vote of the full General Assembly.

The maneuver was legally challenged but upheld. Ohio Medicaid now covers adults ages 19–64 with income up to 138% FPL. The Ohio Department of Medicaid administers the program through managed care plans.

Ohio uses HealthCare.gov (FFM) for marketplace enrollment and has no state-funded premium subsidy backfill for 2026. The enhanced PTCs under the American Rescue Plan expired December 31, 2025, and Ohio residents above 400% FPL receive no premium assistance in 2026.

Calculate your Ohio ACA cliff

Inputs default to Ohio; 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. 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 — Ohio ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Ohio?
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. Ohio has no state subsidy backfill, so crossing this threshold eliminates all premium assistance.
How did Ohio expand Medicaid under Kasich?
Governor John Kasich used the Ohio Controlling Board — a bipartisan legislative panel — to accept $2.56 billion in federal Medicaid expansion funds in October 2013, bypassing the Ohio House, which had passed a budget prohibition on expansion. The Controlling Board voted 5-2 to authorize expansion, which took effect January 1, 2014. Legal challenges to this administrative approach were unsuccessful.
What does Ohio Medicaid cover for expansion adults?
Ohio Medicaid covers adults ages 19–64 with income up to 138% FPL through managed care plans. The Ohio Department of Medicaid administers the program. Covered services include doctor visits, hospital care, behavioral health, prescriptions, and preventive care.
How do I enroll in 2026 marketplace coverage in Ohio?
Ohio uses HealthCare.gov (the federal FFM marketplace). Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. To apply for Ohio Medicaid year-round, visit benefits.ohio.gov.
Does Ohio have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
No. Ohio 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 Ohio?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Ohio are: Age 21: $410/mo, Age 30: $464/mo, Age 40: $523/mo, Age 50: $731/mo, Age 60: $1,111/mo. These are statewide averages; Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati metro areas may vary from rural counties. 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 Ohio?
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 Ohio has no state subsidy above 400% FPL, staying below the federal cliff has full dollar impact.

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