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Affordable Care Act Marketplace Subsidies in Alaska Presented by Patricia Atkinson. Background. Authorized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010;
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Affordable Care ActMarketplace Subsidiesin AlaskaPresented by Patricia Atkinson
Background • Authorized by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010; • Health insurance subsidies for individuals and families between 100% and 400% FPL, who do not have access to affordable coverage through their employer or government agency; • Subsidies available January 1, 2014; • Purpose is to make health insurance more affordable.
Types of Subsidies Available • Monthly premium tax credit: • For families between 100% and 400% FPL; • Family pays portion of monthly premium, based on family income; • Calculated as a percentage of income, from 2 – 9.5% depending on FPL; • May be paid by federal government directly to insurance plan; • Or, family may pay full premium and receive tax credit when they file income tax return.
Types of Subsidies Available 2. Cost Sharing Assistance: • For families between 100% and 250% FPL; • Limits out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, coinsurance, and copays; • Subsidies decrease as family income increases.
Coverage Gap • For non-disabled adults who do not have dependent children at home, who are below 100% FPL, there are no subsidies available. • About 32,000 Alaskans fall into this category.
Coverage Gap Options are very limited for these low-income adults: • pay out-of-pocket for their care; • purchase health insurance at full price; • obtain primary care services at a sliding discount if they live in a community with a community health center; • rely on charity care from local hospitals if they live in a community with a hospital that offers charity care; • go without health care services.
Qualified Health Plans • Must cover essential health benefits; • Limit cost sharing (deductibles and copays); • Satisfy other consumer protections under the ACA; • Two companies in Alaska authorized to sell through the Marketplace - Premera and Moda; • Bronze, Silver, and Gold policies represent the actuarial values (amount of cost sharing); • Premium subsidies are based on second lowest cost silver plan.
Alaska Native/American Indians • Must apply for exemption if desired; • If choose to purchase health insurance, no cost sharing if income under 300% FPL; • Special monthly enrollment periods available.
Examples • Premium subsidies calculated using Premera Plus Silver HSA policy for non smokers; • Premera Area 1 (zip codes 995xx); • Out of pocket costs based on in-network health care only; • Families may choose different policy or be located in different area, which could influence amount of subsidy.
Dick and Jane • Dick and Jane are 58 and 62, and their income is 300% FPL ($58,140). • They can purchase a silver policy in the Marketplace for $1,836 per month. • They will pay $460 per month for the premium, and receive a monthly tax credit of $1,376. • They will not receive subsidies for their annual out-of-pocket costs.
Joe, Mary, and Brittany • Joe is 28 years old, Mary is 29, they have a 6 year old daughter Brittany. • Their income is 200% FPL ($48,820.) • Brittany is eligible for Denali Kid Care. • Joe and Mary can purchase a silver policy for $747 per month to cover themselves only. • They will pay $256 per month (6.3% of their income) and the premium tax credit, which can be paid directly to the insurer monthly, will be $491 per month. • Their annual out-of-pocket costs are capped at $4,500 for the family.
Karen and Kevin • Karen, age 45, and Kevin, age 47, are an Alaska Native family with three children. • Their annual income is 250% FPL ($86,175), and they do not currently have health insurance. • The family receives health care services through the Tribal health system. • They decide to apply for health insurance through the Marketplace, although they could apply for an exemption. • They choose the least expensive bronze plan, $1,191 per month. Their tax credit is calculated by subtracting the required monthly contribution based on their income ($578) from the second lowest cost silver plan in the area ($1,664) for their specific family member ages. • They are eligible for a tax credit of $1,086 per month, so they will pay $105 per month for their premium ($1,191 - $1,086). • They will also not pay for any copay, deductible, or other out-of-pocket expense.
Brianne • Brianne is a single mother, 29 years old, with three children. • Annual income is 175% FPL ($51,520). • Children are on Denali KidCare, Brianne is uninsured. • Silver plan just for herself is $379 per month. • Tax credit is based on family of four, so she will pay $221 per month (5.15% of her income), and receive a tax credit of $158. • Her out-of-pocket costs are also limited to an annual family maximum of $4,500.
Chuck, Julie, and Robert • Chuck is 57, Julie is 56, Robert is 18. Chuck and Robert are Alaska Native, Julie is non-Native. • Annual income is 138% FPL ($33,686), so Robert is eligible for Medicaid. • Chuck and Robert receive health care through the Tribal health system, but Julie is uninsured and must purchase a plan to avoid a tax penalty. • They would pay 3.29% of their income or $92 per month for the policy, and receive a maximum tax credit of $1,524. • They could purchase a silver plan for Julie for $790 and a bronze plan for Chuck for $726. • $790 + $726 = $1516, tax credit is $1516 per month. • Maximum out-of-pocket is $2,250 for Julie.
Appendices • Appendix 1: Calculations of premium contributions and max out-of-pocket by FPL • Note: mixing 2013 FPL with 2014 subsidies • Appendix 2: Sample plans and premiums for younger and older families. • Apendix 3: Examples of family income, premium price, family contribution, tax credit, and max out of pocket by FPL.
Helpful Resources • www.healthcare.gov • http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/ (you can also access frequently asked questions from this page) • https://www.premera.com/ak/visitor/ • https://www.modahealth.com/ • http://www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/ • http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/factsheets/2011/03/americanindianhealth03212011a.html