Utah Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated

Utah Marketplace: HealthCare.gov

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

Medicaid in Utah: Utah Medicaid

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

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Utah)

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

Age2130405060
Monthly SLCSP$380$431$485$678$1,031

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Utah)

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: Utah ACA

Utah's Medicaid expansion history has an unusual legislative twist. In November 2018, Utah voters passed Proposition 3 with 53% support, directing full Medicaid expansion to 138% FPL. However, before the voter-approved measure took effect, the Utah Legislature passed SB 96 (2019) to modify the expansion — initially limiting it to 100% FPL with a work requirement and federal funding cap waiver request, rather than the full 138% FPL the voters approved. After CMS declined to approve a funding cap, the Legislature ultimately implemented full expansion to 138% FPL effective January 1, 2020.

Utah uses HealthCare.gov (FFM) for marketplace enrollment. There is no state-based exchange. Utah has no state-funded premium subsidy backfill in 2026. Utah's SLCSP benchmark premiums are among the more affordable in the West (age 40: $485/month), similar to California and Arizona.

Calculate your Utah ACA cliff

Inputs default to Utah; 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
$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

  1. healthinsurance.org — Utah Marketplace
    <UNVERIFIED: healthinsurance.org Utah page contains no text about Proposition 3, Medicaid expansion, or 138% FPL; Ballotpedia and Wikipedia Utah Prop 3 pages returned empty/404; no accessible alternate primary source found>
  2. healthinsurance.org — Utah: CSR FPL threshold reference
    If your household income is no more than 250% of the federal poverty level, you can also receive cost-sharing reductions (CSR) assistance

FAQ — Utah ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Utah?
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. Utah has no state subsidy backfill, so crossing this threshold eliminates all premium assistance.
Did Utah expand Medicaid?
Yes — Utah voters passed Proposition 3 in November 2018 directing full Medicaid expansion to 138% FPL. The Legislature initially attempted to modify the expansion before it took effect (SB 96, 2019), but after CMS declined the funding cap waiver, Utah implemented full expansion to 138% FPL on January 1, 2020. Utah Medicaid now covers adults up to 138% FPL.
How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in Utah?
Utah uses HealthCare.gov (the federally facilitated marketplace) for marketplace enrollment. Open enrollment runs November 1 through January 15. Utah Medicaid accepts applications year-round at apply.utah.gov for adults at or below 138% FPL.
Does Utah have a state subsidy on top of the federal PTC?
No — Utah has no state-funded premium subsidy backfill in 2026. Residents rely solely on the federal Premium Tax Credit. When the ARPA-enhanced subsidies expired at end of 2025, Utah took no state legislative action to backfill the lost assistance.
How is SLCSP calculated for Utah?
The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Utah are: Age 21: $380/mo, Age 30: $431/mo, Age 40: $485/mo, Age 50: $678/mo, Age 60: $1,031/mo. These are statewide averages; Salt Lake metro vs. rural Utah counties 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 Utah?
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 Utah has no state subsidy above 400% FPL, staying below the federal cliff has full dollar impact.