12/01/2022

ACA Changes Impact of Employer Health Benefit Costs

Family glitch fix makes thousands qualified for cheaper insurance

The “open enrollment” window to buy subsidized healthcare from the federal government opened Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15. Here's the bigger news: A fix of the so-called "family glitch" means thousands more people may now qualify for cheaper insurance — but not know it.

"We're worried that if people had checked on this program in years past, they (may not have qualified) and now they won't come back and check again," said Jeremy Smith, program director for First Choice Services, one of two federally funded programs that help Granite Staters navigate options and enrollment. "So, we're trying to make sure that people know that this is a special year and that they need to come look at it."

The family glitch fix is one of three significant changes to the federal subsidized health plans. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)extends two others enacted under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act: more generous subsidies and no income limit to apply, meaning people who lost subsidies when their income increased even slightly will instead see subsidies taper off but not disappear.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Conway Daily Sun.