Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan rates are calculated based on age, what region of Colorado you live in and tobacco use. Colorado law presently caps the tobacco rating at 15%.
Gender, pregnancy status and health history are NOT considered in the calculation of rates. While rates for the ACA plans won’t be higher if you have pre-existing conditions, you can’t get a lower rate if you’re in good health.
Contrary to what some rumors, the ACA (ObamaCare) does not mean free health insurance for most working Americans. However, it does expand Medicaid to individuals with annual incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty line.
Will the ACA Save Me Money or Cost Me More Money?
- For some people costs may go up, at least in the short-term.
- For others costs may go down
- For some it may stay about the same
- Older people can now be charged no more than 3 times the premium of younger people
- People under 30 years of age can get lower cost catastrophic plans
Subsidies are ONLY available through the health insurance exchange websites, but keep in mind that because the amount of the subsidy is on a sliding scale, the subsidy amount gets smaller as income increases. It’s possible there could be lower cost options outside the exchange.
It’s always smart to have a broker shop both inside and outside the marketplace for you.
- There are over one hundred plans outside the exchange that are fully ACA compliant
- There are over one hundred individual plans inside Connect for Health Colorado
- You need expert help to sort through all the plans and find the best value
- There is no extra cost or mark-up for broker services
For those who qualify, the federal subsidies provide an up front tax credit that reduces the plan’s monthly premium. You can also bypass the tax credit through the exchange and deduct it from taxes later. Tax credits are not available off-exchange.
The amount of the tax credit is the same regardless of what plan they choose. People aged 55-64 receive larger tax credits to help offset their higher premiums.
If this seems confusing, let us sort it out and make it easy for you. Get a quote and more information about ACA plans in Colorado.
Learn More About the ACA:
- Navigating the ACA
- Are You Eligible for a Subsidy?
- Affordable Care Act / ObamaCare 101
- ACA Questions & Answers
- ACA for Employers
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