Updated Nov. 28, 2022 – New for 2023, more Kansans are eligible for premium tax credits! Now, if your employer-offered plan is not deemed affordable, you may qualify for premium tax credits through Healthcare.gov. This includes single-person plans, employee+spouse plans, employee+child(ren) plans, and family plans. You can check eligibility towards premium tax credits by using this Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator.
More information about these tax credits can be found here.
Source: KFF.org
What is the premium tax credit?
When you apply for health insurance on the Marketplace (www.healthcare.gov), you can see if you qualify for a “premium tax credit” to lower the amount you pay each month for the insurance plan. The amount of the premium tax credit depends on your estimated household income for the year you want coverage.
How do I use the premium tax credit?
You can use all, some or none of your premium tax credit in advance to lower your monthly premium payment. The Marketplace will send it in advance directly to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (or another carrier) so you pay less each month.
If you use more advance payments of the tax credit than you qualify for, you must repay the difference when you file your federal income tax return. If you use less premium tax credit than you qualify for, you’ll get the difference as a refundable credit when you file your taxes.
To find Blue Cross, simply look for the BlueCare EPO products. Remember, the premium tax credit does not apply to dental insurance, so you’ll want to visit bcbsks.com/dental to enroll separately.
Who is eligible?
You are eligible for the premium tax credit if you meet all the following requirements:
- Purchase coverage through the Marketplace
- Have household income that falls within a certain range
- Are not able to get affordable coverage through an eligible plan that provides minimum value
- Are not eligible for coverage through a government program, like Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP or TRICARE
- File a joint return, if married
- Cannot be claimed as a dependent by another person
Sources: http://www.irs.gov and the Federal Register
Income range levels
The amount of premium tax credit you may get depends on your estimated income for the year you want coverage (not the current year). If your estimated income falls between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level for your household size, you qualify for a premium tax credit.
What if my income changes?
If your income changes, or you add or lose members of your household, your premium tax credit might change too. Be sure to report these changes to the Marketplace as soon as possible.
We’re here for you!
Getting health insurance for you and your family is an important step to better health and well-being. Deciding which plan is best for you can be a big decision. And we’re here to help you navigate by clearly explaining the coverage in terms you can understand. Call us today at 866-679-7824.