The Biden Administration announced on Tuesday 23 than the health insurance markets, which were to be open until 15 May so that more people affected by the covid pandemic – 19 could acquire medical coverage, they will not close until 15 August.
In addition to the fact that consumers will have three more months to buy a medical plan, or change the one they have, health experts assure that there is a political reading in the decision announced by Biden and made official by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which oversees the markets.
In his campaign, Joe Biden spoke extensively of his commitment to push for universal government-funded health insurance for all citizens. Many see in this extension the royal path towards this discussion.
Although the markets offer coverage from private insurers, the plan has strong federal support, as well as the promotion of subsidies so that the cost of premiums (what is paid per month for the medical plan) is drastically reduced.
The official statement on this extension also announced that, as of April 1, and as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (the rescue plan for COVID – 19), there will be more additional savings for consumers, up to $ 50 extra per person.
The announcement was made when the Affordable Care Act (ACA, popularly known as Obamacare) meets 11 years. This law created the federal market and supported broad care, without limitations due to age or illness.
In a statement, Xavier Becerra, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said: “A Through this special enrollment period, the Biden administration is giving the American people the opportunity they need to find an affordable health care plan that works for them. The Rescue Plan will reduce costs for millions of Americans, and encourages consumers to visit health care.gov and sign up for a plan by 14 August ”.
More help to pay for your medical plan
Under ACA, the subsidy that an individual or family receives must be adjusted based on the household income, and must be a sum that ensures that the person does not spend more than a certain percentage of their income on their medical coverage .
What Biden is promoting is to reduce this percentage, to increase the size of the subsidy by 2021 – 22 .
Tuesday’s announcement 23 March expands that aid.
These changes allow upper-middle-income Americans to also be eligible for financial assistance to purchase plans on the federal marketplace or marketplace. In addition, the subsidies that are already destined for the lowest-income affiliates have been increased
In order to make the subsidies to pay the premiums larger, the plan also raises the eligibility limit which, as already mentioned He said, it is based on earnings. In other words, now, individuals or families with incomes of 400% above the federal level of poverty can be helped.
This means, for example, that an individual who earns an annual salary of $ , 520, or a family of 4 that wins and $ 106, 000 can get health insurance with a premium (or monthly fee) much lower than before, especially if you choose a Silver plan (the mid-tier plan in your area).
The help you you need
Remember that medical insurance gives you the peace of mind that in the event of any eventuality, accident or emergency, you and your family will be able to access the best health professionals.
There are different ways to enroll in health insurance. The easiest thing to do is contact an agent to help you. You can call HolaInsurance at + 1 (888) 106 – 7476. Help is provided here in Spanish.
You can also ask an agent to contact you.
Enter your information here and an agent or broker registered in the Insurance Market will speak directly with you.
Relief for 9M without health insurance
In 2021, 30 states use the federal platform (health care.gov); 14 use their own markets (in addition to the District of Columbia), and 6 have mixed systems (they have their own websites for basic information, like comparing plans and prices, but use the federal site for registration).
More than 9 million Americans Without health insurance they could get free or subsidized coverage with the reopening of these markets.
An analysis by KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) revealed that 4 million people Without insurance they could get a Bronze plan without paying a premium, and an additional 4.9 million could get subsidies to offset the cost of this plan.
The 8.9 million people eligible for free or reduced-cost coverage represent nearly 60% of the approximately 15 millions of uninsured nationwide.
Latinos are among the groups furthest behind in medical care , although they are at higher risk of developing pre-existing conditions, and of contracting covid.
To massively boost this initiative, the Biden administration has also given an injection of money ($ 2.3 million in additional funds) to community centers of health where navigators work, which are the people who help minorities to register, with cultural competence.
” President Biden has made clear that all Americans deserve access to quality, affordable health care. Browsers help Americans understand their health insurance options, connect consumers to financial support, and help them enroll in Marketplace, Medicaid, or CHIP plans, ”said Jeff Wu, CMS Acting Deputy Administrator in a statement. .
States that use the federal registration platform (which now closes on 15 of August)
- Alabama, Alaska
- Arizona, Arkansas
- North Carolina, South Carolina
- North Dakota, South Dakota
- Delaware, Florida
- Illinois, Indiana
- Iowa, Kansas
- Kentucky, Louisiana
Georgia, Hawaii
It remains to be seen which states that manage their own markets will follow in the footsteps of the federal market.