Obamacare was created to provide all Americans with access to affordable, quality healthcare. Subsidies are a big part in ensuring this affordability because they greatly reduce the costs of owning a policy, especially to those who need financial assistance the most.
A subsidy is like a discount on your policy -- not on only on the premium (how much you pay for insurance every month), but also on the out-of-pocket expenses (co-pays, deductibles, etc.).
The amount of the subsidy is based on your household income and the number of people in your household. Known as the “Advance Premium Tax Credit” in technical terms, subsidizes can be applied monthly towards the rate of your plan or as a lump sum credit on your tax return at the end of the year.
Eligibility for subsidies depends on where you live, your age, your income and whether or not you are a smoker. Generally speaking, the lower your income, the larger your credit.
If you live in one of the 48 continental states, you should be able to qualify for a subsidy on both your premium and your out-of-pocket medical expenses if your income falls into one of the below ranges:
If you live in Alaska, you should be able to qualify for a subsidy on your premium if your income falls into one of the below ranges:
If you live in Alaska, you should be able to qualify for a subsidy on your out-of-pocket medical expenses if your income falls into one of the below ranges:
If you live in Hawaii, you should be able to qualify for a subsidy on your premium if your income falls into one of the below ranges:
If you live in Hawaii, you should be able to qualify for a subsidy on your out-of-pocket medical expenses if your income falls into one of the below ranges:
Is your income below the range for the number of people in your household? In other words, say there are two people in your household, and you live in one of the 48 continental states. The listed range for this household size and location is $15,730 to $62,920. If you make less than $15,730, then you can still save on healthcare coverage.
Remember, the main purpose of the Affordable Care Act is to ensure that health insurance is available to everyone. If your income is less than the lowest number listed in a given range, then that means you are eligible for Medicare/Medicaid at little to no cost. Not every state has Medicare/Medicaid available for this purpose. If you live in one of these states, you will be eligible for a Catastrophic Plan.
Not completely sure about your subsidy eligibility? Don’t worry! Go ahead and enter your zip code and our technology will help determine your subsidy eligibility during the quote and application process. ObamacareUSA.org is here to make sure you pay the lowest rate for the best health coverage available to you!