Grace period

A short period after your monthly health insurance payment is due to pay all owed premiums to avoid losing coverage.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010 to make affordable health insurance available to more people, expand Medicaid, and support innovative medical care delivery methods designed to lower the costs of health care generally.

Allowed amount

The maximum amount a plan will pay for a covered health care service. May also be called “eligible expense,” “payment allowance,” or “negotiated rate.”

Tax filing requirement

The minimum amount (or threshold) of income requiring you to file a federal tax return. 2023 filing requirements for most taxpayers: Gross income of at least $13,850 (individuals) or $27,700 (married filing jointly). Different thresholds apply for dependents, people 65 and older, and those who use other tax filing statuses (like married filing separately).

Stand-alone dental plan

A type of dental plan offered through the Marketplace that’s not included as part of a health plan. You may want this if the health coverage you choose doesn’t include dental, or if you want different dental coverage.