What are income rules for Marketplace eligibility for a 70-year-old with no income in 2025?

1. Marketplace access is separate from subsidies — you can buy coverage but may pay full price

A key distinction is that Marketplace enrollment and subsidy eligibility are different rules: anyone not otherwise barred by immigration or other non-financial rules can generally buy a Marketplace plan, including people aged 65 and older who do not have premium-free Medicare Part A, but subsidies (premium tax credits) require meeting income thresholds. Multiple analyses reiterate that a person age 65+ may purchase a Marketplace plan if not entitled to premium-free Part A, but premium assistance is limited to those with incomes at or above the statutory minimum tied to the FPL ^{[4] [5] [1]}. The practical result for a 70-year-old with no income is that Marketplace enrollment is possible, but coverage will likely be unaffordable without subsidies, unless the person qualifies for another program like Medicaid.

2. Subsidy rules: 100% FPL is the usual lower bound — zero income typically disqualifies

All sourced analyses converge on the technical floor that premium tax credits require household income at least 100% of the Federal Poverty Level; individuals below that line generally do not receive premium tax credits ^{[2] [1]}. One analysis explicitly states the 2025 100% FPL level for a single person as $15,060 and uses that to conclude a person with no income would not meet the subsidy test ^[5]. Another source reiterates that the subsidy band historically ran between 100% and 400% (with cost‑sharing reductions tied to lower bands), underscoring that zero income sits below the subsidy eligibility threshold and therefore premium assistance is not available in most cases ^{[1] [6]}.

3. Medicaid is the safety net — state expansion status matters for a person with no income

For someone with effectively no income, Medicaid is the primary program that can provide low- or no-cost coverage, but eligibility depends on state rules. In Medicaid expansion states the rough test is 138% of FPL for non-disabled adults, which would encompass a person with zero income; in non‑expansion states eligibility rules are tighter and may exclude adults without disability classifications or other categorical eligibility ^[3]. The analyses stress that state variation is decisive and recommend contacting the state Medicaid agency or Marketplace to determine whether the individual qualifies for Medicaid rather than Marketplace subsidies ^{[2] [3]}.

4. Medicare interaction: being age 70 raises other enrollment and penalty considerations

Although a 70-year-old can buy Marketplace coverage if Medicare enrollment is not in place, Medicare eligibility and enrollment rules can change the calculus and expose the person to late‑enrollment penalties or coverage gaps. One analysis highlights that people 65 and older who are not entitled to premium-free Part A can buy Marketplace plans, but once Medicare eligibility applies or once someone enrolls in Medicare, Marketplace subsidies are no longer available ^{[7] [4]}. The sources urge careful coordination because delaying Medicare Part B or Part D may trigger premium surcharges and gaps in drug or provider access.

5. Policy and temporary changes could affect affordability — watch subsidy expirations and state choices

Several analyses note that temporary federal subsidy enhancements and legislative changes can materially affect what a low- or no‑income older adult pays, and some of the enhanced credits in recent years were scheduled to change or expire, which would shift who ends up paying nothing versus full price ^{[8] [6]}. The available evidence underscores that the financial bottom line for a 70‑year‑old with no income depends on both current federal subsidy rules and the state’s Medicaid framework, so the individual should verify the present-year rules with their state Marketplace and Medicaid office to confirm exactly which programs and costs apply ^{[2] [8]}.