What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Vermont?

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. Vermont Premium Assistance (VPA) modestly reduces the required contribution below the cliff, but does not eliminate it. Above 400% FPL, no federal PTC or VPA applies.

How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in Vermont?

Vermont uses Vermont Health Connect at portal.healthconnect.vermont.gov. Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026 (Vermont extends beyond the federal deadline). Vermont Health Connect also enrolls eligible residents in Green Mountain Care (Medicaid). Outside open enrollment, enrollment requires a Special Enrollment Period.

Does Vermont have a state-funded subsidy on top of the federal PTC?

Yes — Vermont Premium Assistance (VPA), authorized under 33 V.S.A. §1812, reduces the required income contribution on the benchmark Silver plan by 1.5 percentage points below the federal applicable-percentage table. Vermont also maintains a state CSR supplement extending cost-sharing reductions to QHP enrollees up to 300% FPL. These are modest programs (~$4.3M annually combined) but provide meaningful incremental relief.

What is the Vermont state CSR supplement?

Federal CSR (cost-sharing reductions) on Silver plans applies to households at 100–250% FPL. Vermont's state CSR supplement, authorized under 33 V.S.A. §1812, extends cost-sharing reductions to QHP enrollees at 250–300% FPL — beyond the federal cap. This means Vermont residents on Silver plans at 250–300% FPL receive lower deductibles and copays than in states without this program.

What is the Medicaid threshold in Vermont?

Vermont expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL qualify for Green Mountain Care (Vermont's Medicaid). Dr. Dynasaur covers children and pregnant women at higher income levels. Vermont Medicaid is administered by the Department of Vermont Health Access.

How is SLCSP calculated for Vermont?

The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Vermont are: Age 21: $600/mo, Age 30: $680/mo, Age 40: $766/mo, Age 50: $1,070/mo, Age 60: $1,626/mo — among the highest in the US. Vermont's high premiums make the PTC extremely valuable for eligible residents and the cliff especially consequential. The cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.

Can I avoid the 2026 cliff by reducing my MAGI?

Yes — MAGI-reduction strategies (HSA contributions, deductible IRA, SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) for self-employed, capital-loss harvesting) can keep MAGI below 400% FPL. Given Vermont's exceptionally high SLCSP rates, the PTC available near the 400% FPL threshold is particularly large, making the cliff impact especially high and MAGI management especially worthwhile.

Vermont Cliff Calculator — 2026 ACA Subsidy

By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated May 13, 2026

Vermont Marketplace: Vermont Health Connect

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

Medicaid in Vermont: Green Mountain Care

Vermont expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Green Mountain Care covers adults to 138% FPL.

State Subsidy Backfill

Vermont Premium Assistance (VPA) — reduces required income contribution by 1.5 percentage points on benchmark Silver plan, stacking on federal APTC. State CSR supplement extends cost-sharing reductions to QHP enrollees up to 300% FPL (vs. federal 250% FPL cap). Statutory authority: 33 V.S.A. §1812. Modest program (~$4.3M annually).

2026 SLCSP Benchmark Premiums (Vermont)

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	$600	$680	$766	$1,070	$1,626

2026 ACA Cliff Thresholds by Household Size (Vermont)

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: Vermont ACA

Vermont has some of the highest individual health insurance premiums in the United States, driven in part by a small risk pool and older demographics. The 2026 statewide SLCSP for a 60-year-old reaches $1,626/month — one of the highest rates in the country. This makes the federal PTC especially valuable for Vermont residents, and the cliff at 400% FPL especially painful.

Vermont Premium Assistance (VPA), authorized under 33 V.S.A. §1812, reduces the required income contribution percentage for benchmark Silver plans by 1.5 percentage points below the federal applicable-percentage table. This stacks directly on top of federal APTC, modestly improving affordability for all eligible enrollees. The statute also authorizes Vermont's state CSR supplement, which extends cost-sharing reductions to QHP enrollees at up to 300% FPL — beyond the federal 250% FPL CSR cap.

Vermont Health Connect is the SBM. Dr. Dynasaur is Vermont's CHIP program for children and pregnant women. Green Mountain Care (Medicaid) covers adults to 138% FPL. Vermont was the first state to attempt a single-payer health system under Act 48 (2011), though the plan was abandoned in 2014 due to funding challenges — a distinctive policy history that explains Vermont's ongoing state investment in coverage programs.

Calculate your Vermont ACA cliff

Inputs default to Vermont; 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: $4,212; $351 / 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

Vermont Statutes Annotated — 33 V.S.A. §1812
“The Department of Vermont Health Access shall reduce the premium contribution for these individuals and families by 1.5 percent below the premium amount established in 26 U.S.C. § 36B.”
Vermont Health Connect — Financial Help
“<UNVERIFIED: URL returned HTTP 403 Forbidden — page could not be fetched>”

FAQ — Vermont ACA Cliff

What is the 2026 ACA subsidy cliff in Vermont?: 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. Vermont Premium Assistance (VPA) modestly reduces the required contribution below the cliff, but does not eliminate it. Above 400% FPL, no federal PTC or VPA applies.
How do I enroll in 2026 coverage in Vermont?: Vermont uses Vermont Health Connect at portal.healthconnect.vermont.gov. Open enrollment runs from November 1, 2025 through January 31, 2026 (Vermont extends beyond the federal deadline). Vermont Health Connect also enrolls eligible residents in Green Mountain Care (Medicaid). Outside open enrollment, enrollment requires a Special Enrollment Period.
Does Vermont have a state-funded subsidy on top of the federal PTC?: Yes — Vermont Premium Assistance (VPA), authorized under 33 V.S.A. §1812, reduces the required income contribution on the benchmark Silver plan by 1.5 percentage points below the federal applicable-percentage table. Vermont also maintains a state CSR supplement extending cost-sharing reductions to QHP enrollees up to 300% FPL. These are modest programs (~$4.3M annually combined) but provide meaningful incremental relief.
What is the Vermont state CSR supplement?: Federal CSR (cost-sharing reductions) on Silver plans applies to households at 100–250% FPL. Vermont's state CSR supplement, authorized under 33 V.S.A. §1812, extends cost-sharing reductions to QHP enrollees at 250–300% FPL — beyond the federal cap. This means Vermont residents on Silver plans at 250–300% FPL receive lower deductibles and copays than in states without this program.
What is the Medicaid threshold in Vermont?: Vermont expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Adults with MAGI up to 138% FPL qualify for Green Mountain Care (Vermont's Medicaid). Dr. Dynasaur covers children and pregnant women at higher income levels. Vermont Medicaid is administered by the Department of Vermont Health Access.
How is SLCSP calculated for Vermont?: The 2026 statewide SLCSP age-band averages for Vermont are: Age 21: $600/mo, Age 30: $680/mo, Age 40: $766/mo, Age 50: $1,070/mo, Age 60: $1,626/mo — among the highest in the US. Vermont's high premiums make the PTC extremely valuable for eligible residents and the cliff especially consequential. The cliff distance (income vs. 400% FPL) is exact regardless of SLCSP precision.
Can I avoid the 2026 cliff by reducing my MAGI?: Yes — MAGI-reduction strategies (HSA contributions, deductible IRA, SEP-IRA or Solo 401(k) for self-employed, capital-loss harvesting) can keep MAGI below 400% FPL. Given Vermont's exceptionally high SLCSP rates, the PTC available near the 400% FPL threshold is particularly large, making the cliff impact especially high and MAGI management especially worthwhile.

Glossary
Premium Tax Credit (PTC)
Glossary
MAGI
Glossary
Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Glossary
Benchmark plan / SLCSP
Glossary
Cost-sharing reduction (CSR)
Glossary
Applicable-percentage table
State
New York — also has state CSR supplement
State
Massachusetts — ConnectorCare state