For 2023 Obamacare (ACA) plans, the “income limit” depends on what you mean: getting any subsidy vs. getting cost-sharing help, and it also varies by family size and state Medicaid rules.

Core income ranges for 2023

For premium tax credits (the main Obamacare subsidy), eligibility is based on your household Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). In 2023:

  • Subsidies generally apply from 100% FPL up to at least 400% FPL for Marketplace plans.
  • In Medicaid expansion states, people between 0% and 138% FPL may qualify for Medicaid instead of Marketplace subsidies, so practical subsidy eligibility in the Marketplace often starts above 138% FPL there.

Using 2023 FPL numbers, here are typical annual income ranges that correspond to roughly 100–400% FPL (where most people can get ACA premium subsidies):

[1] [1] [1] [1] [1]
Household size Approx. income range for 2023 ACA premium subsidies (100–400% FPL)
1 person About $13,590 – $54,360 per year
2 people About $18,310 – $73,240 per year
3 people About $23,030 – $92,120 per year
4 people About $27,750 – $111,000 per year
5 people About $32,470 – $129,880 per year
(For each additional family member, the 100% FPL number increases by about $4,450, and 400% FPL scales accordingly.)

Cost-sharing reductions (extra help)

There is a lower “income limit” band if you’re asking about cost-sharing reductions (CSR), which lower deductibles and copays on Silver plans:

  • CSR generally applies from about 100% up to 250% FPL.
  • For a single person in 2023, that’s roughly $13,590 to around $33,975.
  • For a family of four, that’s roughly $27,750 to about $69,375.

Quick example

For a 1‑person household in 2023:

  • Below roughly $13,590 : Often Medicaid-eligible in expansion states, not Marketplace subsidies.
  • Between $13,590 and $33,975 : Eligible for both premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions (on Silver plans).
  • Between $13,590 and $54,360 : Eligible for premium tax credits (subsidies) only.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.