What a 1095-A is and why you need it
A 1095-A is a tax form your health insurance company sends you each year if you bought coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace (also called the ACA marketplace or healthcare.gov). It shows how much you paid for insurance, how much the government subsidized it, and how many months you had coverage. The IRS uses this form to verify that you had health insurance and to reconcile any tax credits you received during the year.
You need this form to file your federal tax return if you bought Marketplace coverage at any point during the tax year. Even if you had coverage for only one month, the insurance company will send you a 1095-A. If you don't receive one by early February, you'll need to track it down before filing your taxes, because the IRS has a copy and will know if your return doesn't match.
Key Takeaways
- Your health insurance company mails the 1095-A to the address on file, usually by January 31, though delays are common.
- If you don't receive it by mid-February, log into your Marketplace account or call your insurance company to request a copy.
- The form shows your monthly premiums, the subsidies you received, and which months you had coverage — all information the IRS already has.
- You must report the information from your 1095-A on your tax return, even if you disagree with what it says.
- If the form contains errors, contact your insurance company to request a corrected version before you file your taxes.
When and where your 1095-A arrives
Your insurance company is required to mail the 1095-A by January 31 of the year after your coverage ended. In practice, many arrive in late January or early February. The form goes to the mailing address you provided when you enrolled in your plan, so if you moved during the year, it may go to an old address.
Check your mail carefully during January and February. The 1095-A is a multi-part form — you keep one copy, one goes to the IRS, and one goes to your state tax authority. It will come from your insurance company's name, not from the Marketplace itself. If you enrolled through healthcare.gov, the form still comes from your actual insurer (like Blue Cross, Aetna, or a regional plan), not from a federal office.
How to find your 1095-A online
Most insurance companies now let you read your 1095-A from their member portal or website. Log into your account with the same username and password you use to check your coverage or pay your premium. Look for a section labeled "Documents," "Tax Forms," "1095-A," or "Statements." The form is usually available by mid-January, sometimes earlier.
If you enrolled through healthcare.gov, you can also log into your Marketplace account and look for tax documents there. Some states that run their own Marketplace (like California, New York, or Massachusetts) may post the form in the state's portal instead. Check your insurance company's website first — that's where the actual form lives.
What to do if you haven't received it
If it's mid-February and you still don't have your 1095-A, contact your insurance company directly. Call the customer service number on your insurance card or on the company's website. Have your policy number ready. Tell them you need a copy of your 1095-A for tax purposes. They can either mail a replacement or email it to you, depending on their process.
If you enrolled through the Marketplace and can't reach your insurance company, you can also contact the Marketplace directly. Call 1-800-318-2596 (for healthcare.gov) or your state Marketplace's number. They can tell you which insurance company issued your plan and provide contact information. Keep a record of who you spoke with and when, in case you need to prove you made the request.
Understanding what's on the form
The 1095-A has three main sections. The top shows your personal information and policy details. The middle section lists your monthly premiums — the amount you were supposed to pay each month. The bottom section shows the monthly advance premium tax credits (the subsidy) the government paid on your behalf.
Line 12 on the form shows the total number of months you had coverage. If you had coverage for all 12 months, this will say 12. If you enrolled mid-year or lost coverage early, it will show fewer months. The IRS uses this to make sure you're not claiming credits for months you weren't insured. Don't assume the form is wrong if the numbers look low — verify the dates you actually had coverage before contacting your insurance company.
If the 1095-A contains errors
Review your 1095-A carefully against your own records. Check that your name, policy number, and coverage dates match what you remember. Look at the monthly premium amounts — they should match what you were charged. If you see a discrepancy, contact your insurance company and ask them to issue a corrected form, called a corrected 1095-A or amended 1095-A.
Common errors include wrong coverage dates (if you enrolled late or cancelled early), incorrect premium amounts, or subsidy amounts that don't match what you saw in your Marketplace account. The insurance company can usually correct these within a few business days. Ask them to send the corrected form to you and confirm they're also sending the corrected version to the IRS. If you file your taxes before receiving the corrected form, you may need to file an amended return later.
How to use the 1095-A when filing taxes
When you file your federal tax return, you'll report information from your 1095-A on Form 8962 (Premium Tax Credit Reconciliation). Your tax software will ask you questions about your coverage and walk you through entering the numbers from the form. You must report the information even if you think it's wrong — if there's a discrepancy between what you report and what the IRS has on file, they'll contact you after you file.
The reconciliation process compares the subsidies you actually received during the year against the subsidies you were supposed to receive based on your final income. If you received more subsidy than you were may have access to to, you may owe money back when you file. If you received less, you may get a refund. This is why it's important to report changes in income to the Marketplace during the year — it keeps the subsidy amount accurate and reduces surprises at tax time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I had coverage from two different insurance companies during the same year?
You'll receive a separate 1095-A from each company for the months you were covered by that plan. You'll need to report information from both forms when you file your taxes. Make sure you have all of them before you file — if the IRS receives forms you don't report, they'll flag your return.
Do I need the 1095-A if I didn't receive any subsidy?
Yes. Even if you paid the full premium yourself with no government help, your insurance company still sends a 1095-A. You still need to report it on your tax return to show you had coverage. The form will show zero subsidy, but you still must file it.
Can I file my taxes before I receive the 1095-A?
Technically yes, but it's risky. If you file without it and the IRS receives a 1095-A that doesn't match your return, they'll send you a notice. It's safer to wait until you have the form in hand, even if it means filing a few days later. If you're getting a refund, the delay is usually worth it to avoid problems.
What happens if my insurance company never sends the 1095-A?
Contact the insurance company and the Marketplace again, in writing this time. Keep copies of your emails or letters. If they still don't send it, you can file your taxes based on the information in your Marketplace account — most Marketplace accounts show the same data that appears on the 1095-A. The IRS has a copy of the form, so they'll know you had coverage even if you don't have the physical document.
Is the 1095-A the same as my insurance ID card?
No. Your insurance ID card shows your coverage details for using healthcare. The 1095-A is strictly a tax document that shows what you paid and what subsidies you received. You need both, but they serve completely different purposes.