ACA Premium Tax Credit Details Question

[dandarc]

Never been close to PTC when I've been self-employed before, but a new coast-fire part time gig looms. The question: do I have to buy the insurance via the marketplace to get the PTC, even if I go with "pay full price now and claim PTC on return" approach?

What I'm reading sounds like I do need to buy via healthcare.gov and I guess that is not that big of a deal vs. going directly to Florida Blue, but I was wondering if the marketplace is actually required or not.

[Rob_bob]

Yes, in order to claim the tax credit you have to get insurance through the Federal market place then claim when you file taxes.

In the early ACA days I paid my premium out of pocket and claimed the credit on my taxes.  Later the premiums became too high to pay out of pocket so I started taking the monthly subsidy.