The ACA (Affordable Care Act) established rules that health insurance companies must follow, including coverage for pre-existing conditions and access to tax credits or subsidies based on household income. The Marketplace is the platform where individuals and families shop for and enroll in major medical health insurance plans, whether they qualify for subsidies or not. “Obamacare” is simply a common nickname for the ACA. All individual and family major medical plans are offered through the Marketplace rather than directly through insurance carriers. Many customers may qualify for tax credits and subsidies that help lower the monthly cost of insurance premiums based on income and household size. Customers with higher incomes who do not qualify for subsidies can still enroll in Marketplace plans at full cost. These plans are designed for individuals and families who do not have access to major medical coverage through an employer.