Free Health Insurance New Hampshire: Your 2027 Medicaid & Marketplace Guide
Free health insurance in New Hampshire isn't a gimmick — it's Granite Advantage Medicaid, or it's a premium tax credit. New Hampshire uses HealthCare.gov for 2027, and open enrollment runs November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027. Here are the 2027 income limits, the Medicaid work requirements that start January 1, 2027, and how to lock in coverage by December 15.
Get a Free 2027 Quote ↓Health Insurance in New Hampshire for 2027: What "Free" Really Means
Quick answer: New Hampshire adults 19–64 with income up to about 138% of the poverty level (about $22,025 a year for one person) may qualify for Granite Advantage, the state's Medicaid expansion. Above that, premium tax credits on HealthCare.gov can bring some plans to $0. Open enrollment for 2027 runs November 1, 2026 to January 15, 2027.
Last updated:
Free health insurance New Hampshire residents can actually get comes from two places. The first is the Granite Advantage Health Care Program, which the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) calls "New Hampshire's Medicaid expansion category." The second is a premium tax credit on HealthCare.gov, the federally facilitated Marketplace that New Hampshire uses for 2027. If your household income falls between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, the credit pays part or all of your monthly premium directly to the insurer, and at lower incomes that math can land on a $0-premium plan. The same rules apply statewide, from Manchester and Nashua to Concord, Dover, Portsmouth, and Keene.
Here's what changed for 2027. The extra "enhanced" tax credits of 2021–2025 expired at the end of 2025, and they are not back for 2027 under current law unless Congress acts. Credits are smaller than they were in 2025, and the 400% FPL cliff is back: that's about $63,840 for one person, and $1 over the line means a $0 credit. Granite Advantage is changing too. Medicaid work requirements start January 1, 2027, and DHHS has proposed monthly premiums for some members that are not in effect (details below).
FreedInsure LLC is an independent brokerage; its licensed agent, Constantino Lardi (NPN 20230457), is licensed in 42 states, New Hampshire included. We calculate your exact 2027 credit, compare the plans offered where you live, and enroll you — and our help is 100% free to you. We're a private broker, not HealthCare.gov and not a government agency. Call (844) 788-3733 or see if you qualify.
New Hampshire Health Insurance Income Limits for 2027
Marketplace savings for 2027 coverage are based on the 2026 federal poverty guidelines: $15,960 for one person and $33,000 for a family of four. The IRS sets how much of your income you're expected to pay for the benchmark Silver plan, from 2.15% to 10.22% as income rises, and the tax credit covers the rest.
| 2027 Household Income | Household of 1 (about) | Household of 4 (about) | What You Typically Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to ~138% FPL | Up to $22,025 | Up to $45,540 | Likely Granite Advantage (Medicaid) for adults 19–64 (133% FPL plus a 5% income disregard — see below) |
| ~138–150% FPL | $22,025–$23,940 | $45,540–$49,500 | The biggest credits — you pay no more than 4.30% of income for the benchmark Silver plan, and 94% CSR Silver plans are available ($4,000 self-only out-of-pocket max) |
| 150–200% FPL | $23,940–$31,920 | $49,500–$66,000 | You pay 4.30%–6.78% of income for benchmark Silver, plus 87% CSR Silver plans ($4,000 self-only out-of-pocket max) |
| 200–250% FPL | $31,920–$39,900 | $66,000–$82,500 | You pay 6.78%–8.66% of income; 73% CSR Silver plans still trim cost sharing ($9,600 self-only out-of-pocket max) |
| 250–400% FPL | $39,900–$63,840 | $82,500–$132,000 | You pay 8.66%–10.22% of income — credits taper but still cut real dollars off the premium |
| Over 400% FPL | $63,840+ | $132,000+ | No premium tax credit for 2027 under current law — full-price plans, so shopping smart matters most |
These dollar bands are derived from the 2026 guidelines, so treat them as approximate. The Medicaid row uses the 138% line; Medicaid uses the current year's poverty guidelines, so those dollar limits will update once the 2027 guidelines take effect.
Income means your projected 2027 household income — W-2 wages, 1099 and gig income, self-employment, seasonal work, everything. Getting it right matters more than ever: for tax years after 2025 there is no cap on repaying excess advance credits, so a low estimate can mean paying back the full difference at tax time. Starting January 1, 2027, federal law also limits premium tax credits to fewer groups of lawfully present immigrants (green-card holders remain eligible). Want a number now? Try the 2027 ACA subsidy calculator or read our full ACA income limits guide.
Granite Advantage and NH Medicaid in 2027 — Our Honest Take
New Hampshire expanded Medicaid. The program is NH Medicaid (Medical Assistance), run by DHHS, and adults ages 19–64 qualify through Granite Advantage with income no higher than 133% of the federal poverty guidelines — $1,769 a month for one person on DHHS's October 2026 program fact sheet — as long as they aren't pregnant and aren't entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Part A or B. Medicaid's income rules also allow a 5% disregard when income is just over a limit. That's why national charts, including our Medicaid income limits by state guide, show New Hampshire at 138%: about $22,025 a year for one person and $45,540 for a family of four.
| Group | DHHS Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Granite Advantage (adults 19–64) | Up to 133% FPL ($1,769 a month for one person), plus the 5% disregard |
| Children's Medicaid (under 19) | Up to 196% FPL |
| Expanded Children's Medicaid (under 19) | Above 196% and up to 318% FPL |
| Pregnant women | Up to 196% FPL, with 12 months of postpartum coverage regardless of income |
| Parents & caretaker relatives | A dollar standard based on the FANF payment standard, not the poverty guidelines |
| Family Planning Medical Assistance | Up to 196% FPL (limited coverage) |
New Hampshire covers children through Medicaid, with CHIP funding, rather than through a separate CHIP program. If your household includes kids, check their eligibility separately from yours — children qualify at much higher incomes than adults do.
New for 2027: Granite Advantage work requirements
Starting January 1, 2027, Granite Advantage members ages 19–64 who aren't exempt must show 80 hours a month of work (paid, in-kind or unpaid), community service, an approved work program, or school or career and technical education at least half-time — or a combination. Income of at least $580 a month also counts, and seasonal workers can use a six-month average.
Timing depends on whether you're already covered. New applicants must meet the requirement in the month before they apply, so someone applying in January 2027 shows it for December 2026. Current members start at their first redetermination date in 2027, which is also when 6-month redeterminations begin; at that review you must show at least one compliant month since your last redetermination. DHHS says it is still waiting for final guidance from the federal government, so details may change.
Who's not affected: DHHS's list includes people under 19 or over 64; pregnant or postpartum people (12 months); parents, guardians or caretakers of a child 13 or younger or of someone with a disability; former foster youth under 26; veterans rated totally disabled; medically frail people; people eligible for or enrolled in Medicare Part A, or enrolled in Part B; people in drug or alcohol treatment; people meeting TANF work rules or subject to SNAP work rules; people who are incarcerated or were released in the prior 3 months; and Indians and Urban Indians. Full details are on DHHS's Medicaid work requirements page.
Other changes — and a premium proposal that is not in effect
DHHS's Stay Covered NH page also lists 6-month renewals for certain adults, limits on retroactive coverage, and eligibility changes for non-U.S. citizen adults beginning October 1, 2026. DHHS says most of these changes apply only to Granite Advantage members.
Separately, on September 10, 2026, DHHS posted a public notice for a new Section 1115 waiver, required by the 2025 state budget, that would charge premiums to Granite Advantage members with income at or above 100% FPL. The proposed amounts are $60 a month for a household of one, $80 for two, $90 for three, and $100 for four or more, subject to the federal cap of 5% of income, and members who don't pay for 60 days or more would be disenrolled. These premiums are a proposal, not current rules: public comment runs through October 16, 2026, and the waiver still needs CMS approval. We'll update this page if that changes.
How to apply: apply online through NH EASY, call the DHHS Customer Service Center at 1-844-ASK-DHHS (1-844-275-3447) (TDD Relay 1-800-735-2964), Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or visit your local DHHS District Office. Medicaid isn't tied to open enrollment, so you can apply any time of year.
Straight talk: Granite Advantage is a state program, not something we sell. If it's your best option, we'll tell you exactly that and point you to the application — no charge, no strings. And if your income sits above the Medicaid line, that's precisely where marketplace credits take over, and where a side-by-side comparison of the plans in your area matters most.
Income near the line? Granite Staters with seasonal work, gig income, or variable hours can move between Medicaid and the marketplace from year to year. If you lose Medicaid, HealthCare.gov says you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period for marketplace coverage if the loss happened in the past 90 days. Don't guess at the boundary; a 10-minute call maps it.
New Hampshire Health Insurance Marketplace: Plans & Prices for 2027
New Hampshire's marketplace runs on HealthCare.gov, and every plan sold there is ACA-compliant: the 10 essential health benefits, no pre-existing condition exclusions, and preventive care at no cost. Carriers vary by area and can change from year to year, so the only lineup that matters is the one for your ZIP code. We confirm which carriers actually offer 2027 plans where you live, and check them against your doctors and prescriptions, before recommending anything. (See our carrier partners.)
Bronze
Lowest premiums — they can be $0 after credits at lower incomes — with the highest deductibles. Exchange bronze plans now count as HSA-eligible, and the 2027 HSA limit is $4,500 for self-only coverage.
Silver
The sweet spot for most subsidy-eligible households. Under ~250% FPL, Cost-Sharing Reductions can cut a 2027 out-of-pocket maximum from $12,000 to as low as $4,000 for one person. CSRs come only with Silver.
Gold
Higher premium, lower out-of-pocket. The smart pick when you know care is coming — a planned procedure, a pregnancy, ongoing prescriptions.
Add-Ons
Dental & vision, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans stack alongside your ACA plan — often the difference between covered and comfortable.
New Hampshire's reinsurance program. New Hampshire runs a state reinsurance program under a federal Section 1332 waiver. CMS approved its extension on November 19, 2024, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2030.
What about 2027 prices? The New Hampshire Insurance Department says preliminary individual and small group rates are posted by August 1 at ratereview.healthcare.gov, and final rates are available November 1 (see its health insurance premium rates page). Check 2027 prices for your ZIP code when open enrollment opens — another reason to re-shop instead of auto-renewing.
Every ACA plan for 2027 caps in-network out-of-pocket costs at $12,000 for one person and $24,000 for a family. Beyond marketplace plans, we also help New Hampshire residents with term life insurance and other supplemental coverage. If you miss open enrollment and don't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, our guide to short-term health insurance in New Hampshire explains how those plans differ from ACA coverage before you rely on one.
One honest warning: a $0 premium is not $0 care. Free bronze plans carry real deductibles, and a 2027 marketplace plan can have an out-of-pocket maximum as high as $12,000 for one person. If your income is under ~250% FPL, a CSR Silver plan is often the far better deal than the "free" one. That's the judgment call a broker exists for.
Obamacare New Hampshire Open Enrollment 2027: Key Dates
CMS lists New Hampshire as a federally facilitated Marketplace for plan year 2027, so the HealthCare.gov calendar applies: Open Enrollment runs November 1, 2026 – January 15, 2027. Some states run their own exchanges with different deadlines, but New Hampshire isn't one of them. You can compare every state on our 2027 open enrollment deadlines by state page.
November 1, 2026
Open enrollment opens on HealthCare.gov. Compare 2027 plans, premiums, and your new credit amount.
December 15, 2026
Last day to enroll for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. This is the deadline that matters most.
January 15, 2027
Open enrollment ends. Enroll between December 16 and January 15 and coverage starts February 1, 2027 — a one-month gap.
After January 15
You'll need a qualifying life event (losing job coverage, losing Medicaid, moving, marriage, or a birth) to open a Special Enrollment Period, usually 60 days long (90 days after losing Medicaid or CHIP). Medicaid applications stay open year-round.
Enrolling through FreedInsure takes about 15 minutes: (1) we project your 2027 income and calculate the exact credit, (2) we compare the plans in your area against your doctors and prescriptions, and (3) we submit the enrollment and stay on as your advisor all year. Same plans, same prices as going direct — plus a human who answers. Call (844) 788-3733, or reach the HealthCare.gov Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 (TTY 1-855-889-4325). For the national picture, read our Open Enrollment 2027 guide.
Straight talk on auto-renewal: if you do nothing, most enrollees are automatically re-enrolled in the same or a similar plan. But with credits smaller and premiums changing, last year's plan at last year's assumptions can be this year's overpay. Never let a plan auto-renew without a 15-minute re-shop — and do it before December 15 so any change starts January 1.
How FreedInsure Helps
FreedInsure compares 14+ health insurance carriers simultaneously to find you the best rate and coverage for your specific situation.
Independent Broker
We represent multiple carriers, not just one. No captive loyalty. Our only goal: best coverage at the lowest price for YOUR situation. If one product is better than another, we tell you honestly.
Always Free
Our service costs you $0. You get the same plans at the same price as going direct — plus personalized expert guidance, plan comparison, and enrollment assistance.
Real Licensed Advisors
Not a chatbot. Not a call center. Licensed insurance professionals who understand your specific situation. Same advisor handles your case from first call through enrollment. Available by phone, text, and email.
10,000+ Members Enrolled
We've helped over 10,000 members across 42 states. 4.9 Google rating. We know which carriers work best in which ZIP codes, which plans have the strongest networks, and which options most people overlook.
Ready to get started? Call (844) 788-3733, check your New Hampshire eligibility, or complete the form below. A licensed advisor will call within 15 minutes with personalized options. No pressure, no spam, no data selling. Just expert guidance that's 100% free.
Free Health Insurance New Hampshire FAQ: 2027 Answers
Official Sources for This Guide
- HealthCare.gov: Dates and deadlines for 2027 coverage
- NH DHHS: Bureau of Family Assistance Program Fact Sheet (10/2026)
- NH DHHS: Medicaid Work Requirements: What You Need to Know
- NH DHHS: Public Notice on Proposed Granite Advantage Premiums (September 10, 2026)
- HealthCare.gov: Special Enrollment Period (60 days; 90 days after losing Medicaid or CHIP)
- CMS: Section 1332 State Innovation Waivers (New Hampshire)
- IRS: Rev. Proc. 2026-26 (2027 premium tax credit percentages)
Get Your Free Quote
Licensed advisor compares 14+ health insurance carriers for your 2027 New Hampshire plan. Free, no obligation.
Keep Going
What Our Members Say
Beat the December 15 Deadline. We Can Help.
Licensed advisor. Free 2027 quotes. 14+ carriers compared. (844) 788-3733.
Get My Free Quote →