Topics covered in this article Why it’s important to have awareness of the coverage you’re likely to get at different income levels Key income break points that will determine what you pay for coverage How income estimates impact coverage eligibility In case you missed it during a frenzied election season, the annual open enrollment period for ACA marketplace plans (which are  ACA-compliant health coverage) in 2023 kicked off on November 1. You may also have missed that last year, the American Rescue Plan Act made coverage in private plans sold in the ACA marketplace far more affordabl ..read more

Key takeaways ACA open enrollment will look mostly familiar this fall. Open enrollment dates and deadlines for 2023 plans Insurers entering and leaving individual and family markets The ‘family glitch’ fix will help some buyers. How are ACA premiums changing for 2023? You can start doing your plan shopping research now. The tenth annual open enrollment for ACA-compliant individual/family health coverage is just around the corner. It starts November 1, and will continue through January 15 in most states. Millions of Americans will enroll or renew their coverage for 2023 during open enrollmen ..read more

After months of stalled progress, legislation that would extend the American Rescue Plan’s health insurance subsidy enhancements is back on the table in the U.S. Senate. That’s great news for the 13 million Americans who are eligible for premium tax credits (subsidies) that offset the cost of marketplace (exchange) health insurance. The Inflation Reduction Act was announced in late July, and a vote in the Senate is expected next week. The legislation – which is both a climate and healthcare bill – addresses several pressing priorities, including a three-year extension of the subsidy enhancemen ..read more

Key takeaways For enrollees who don’t qualify for cost-sharing reduction, premium savings in a Bronze plan often outstrip out-of-pocket savings in a Silver plan. Tax-sheltered health savings accounts, available mainly with Bronze plans, increase premium subsidies. The psychological benefits of a lower deductible should at least be considered. For many of the 155 million Americans who get their health insurance through an employer, the employer-sponsored plan feels like a security blanket. Look closely, as circumstances may well force you to, and the blanket may be full of holes. Tales of wo ..read more

Key takeaways Managed care is focused on plan costs and quality. What’s the difference between an HMO, PPO, EPO, and POS plan? Should you consider managed care designation? Availability of managed care options varies by location. Four managed care considerations An HSA is not a type of managed care There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re shopping for individual health insurance coverage – from premiums to deductibles to on-exchange and off-exchange and ACA-compliant (or not). If you’re shopping in the individual health insurance market, you’ll definitely be making a choice of met ..read more

Key takeaways At low incomes, Silver is almost always the right choice. At higher incomes, the field tilts toward Bronze and Gold. In some states, Gold plans are available for less than Silver. In Pennsylvania, insurers are directed to price Silver plans slightly above the cost of a Gold plan with the same provider network. In Maryland, too, Gold plans are priced below the Silver benchmarks. For 2022, New Mexico implemented the strictest mandatory Silver loading in the country. Many factors besides premium and deductible should be considered while choosing a plan. When shopping for a health ..read more

Key takeaways Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, in 2022, Silver plans with strong cost-sharing reduction (CSR) are available for free to low-income enrollees in the ACA marketplace (income up to 150% FPL). Bronze plan holders may be leaving money on the table. Thanks to newly established year-round enrollment for people with incomes up to 150% FPL, low-income enrollees in Bronze plans can switch into Silver plans at any point. Many consumers buy Bronze plans, even when Silver coverage is free. The special enrollment period facilitating a switch from Bronze to Silver varies in state-based ex ..read more

Key takeaways The primary factor driving record ACA enrollment in 2022 was affordability – delivered by the American Rescue Plan. If the ARP’s subsidy structure isn’t extended, premiums will rise for millions in 2023. HHS estimates ARP’s enhanced subsidies are saving plan buyers $59 a month. Year-round special enrollment for low-income households would expire with ARP’s subsidies. Will Congress extend the ARP’s subsidy structure? How will the ARP subsidy extension uncertainty affect 2023 premiums? The sooner ARP’s subsidy structure is extended, the better. During the open enrollment period ..read more

Key takeaways The end of public health emergency could mean disenrollment for millions who have Medicaid coverage When will Medicaid eligibility redeterminations happen? How many people will lose Medicaid coverage when the public health emergency ends? What are your coverage options if you lose your Medicaid? Can you appeal your state’s decision to disenroll you from Medicaid? What are your options if you’re no longer eligible for Medicaid? What should you do if you currently have Medicaid coverage? Low-income enrollees will able to enroll in ACA coverage through during a special enrollment p ..read more

A major premise of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was that Americans who need to buy their own health coverage in the individual market should be able to obtain coverage – regardless of their medical history – and that the monthly premiums should be affordable. The rules to facilitate those goals have been in place for several years now. And although they have worked quite well for some Americans, there have been others for whom ACA-compliant health coverage was still unaffordable. But the American Rescue Plan, enacted earlier this year, has boosted the ACA’s subsidies, making truly affordable ..read more