Frequently-asked questions by tag
Do student health policies have to cover birth control without co-pays?
February 1, 2023 – Q. Do student health policies have to cover birth control without co-pays? A. Yes, although schools with religious objections to…
Do student health care plans have to cover preventive care at no charge?
February 1, 2023 – Q. Do student health care plans have to cover preventive care at no charge? A. Yes. Student health insurance plans must include preventive…
Do plans sold in the health insurance exchanges cover abortion?
January 10, 2023 – In more than half the states, ACA-compliant health insurance plans are not allowed to cover abortions except for circumstances involving…
What type of health insurance exchange does my state have?
December 13, 2022 – As of the 2023 plan year, there are 18 fully state-run health insurance marketplaces (SBMs), three state-based marketplaces that use the…
We claim our son, but not our daughter, on our taxes. How are premium subsidies calculated for families like ours?
December 5, 2022 – Q. My husband and I have two children. We claim our son on our taxes; he's in high school, lives at home and has a part-time job. Our 23…
Does every business with 50 or more employees pay a penalty if it doesn’t offer ‘affordable, comprehensive’ insurance?
December 1, 2022 – Businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees are required to offer comprehensive, affordable health insurance coverage…
Are smokers unable to afford insurance under the ACA?
November 2, 2022 – Q. I've heard that under the ACA, smokers have to pay 50% more for insurance – and that, even if they qualify for a tax credit, the…
If my income changes and my premium subsidy is too big, will I have to repay it?
October 20, 2022 – If a person receives a premium subsidy in the marketplace and then ends up with a total annual income higher than they projected, they may…
Can I purchase a Platinum policy and also get a premium subsidy?
July 12, 2022 – You can buy a Platinum plan and also get a premium subsidy. The size of the subsidy is based on the cost of a Silver plan, but you can…
Can health insurance policies still have lifetime or annual benefit maximums?
April 18, 2022 – All new individual and small-group plans have covered essential health benefits (EHBs) since 2014, and there cannot be dollar limits on…
My employer offers insurance, but I think it’s too expensive. Can I apply for a subsidy to help me buy my own insurance?
February 8, 2022 – You cannot qualify for a health insurance premium subsidy unless the insurance your employer offers would force you to kick in more than…
I purchased health insurance under the Affordable Care Act in Texas, but I have moved to Colorado. How do I transfer my coverage?
September 14, 2021 – If you purchased ACA-compliant health insurance in Texas and you're moving to Colorado, you'll need to select a new Colorado plan rather…
If I decide to gamble and go without insurance, isn’t that my business?
August 18, 2021 – An individual's decision to "gamble" and go without health insurance can result in uncompensated care – a financial burden on hospitals…
My health insurance options from my employer are on an exchange. Is this part of Obamacare?
July 31, 2021 – If the health insurance options from your employer are on an exchange, it could be a private exchange – not the Affordable Care Act's…
We’re a family of four with an income of $47,000 a year. What kinds of subsidies are available to help us purchase insurance through the exchanges?
July 25, 2021 – Q. We're a family of four with an income of $47,000 a year. What kinds of subsidies are available to help us purchase insurance through the…
I understand that subsidies come in the form of tax credits. But I’m unemployed and probably won’t owe any taxes. How would the subsidy help me?
June 7, 2021 – A: The premium subsidy offered through the exchanges is a tax credit, but it differs from some other tax credits in two important ways.…
Will my father’s premiums go up if I get coverage through his plan instead of my university’s plan?
June 4, 2021 – Q. I’m 24 and a graduate student. I can get health coverage through my university, but my father has an excellent plan at work, and he…
I work part-time. Am I eligible for a premium subsidy to help me buy insurance?
May 27, 2021 – Your eligibility for a premium subsidy isn't tied to how many hours you work. As long as you meet the income requirements for the premium…
How does the IRS calculate premium tax credits for self-employed people when their AGI depends on their health insurance premium amount?
May 19, 2021 – For self-employed Americans, premium amounts affect modified adjusted gross income, which in turn affects premium amounts. But the IRS has…
Are dental benefits included in ACA’s marketplace health plans?
May 5, 2021 – A: Pediatric dental is one of the ACA's essential health benefits. But there's no requirement that dental care for adults be…
If I have access to health insurance, can my husband’s company deny me coverage?
January 22, 2021 – The ACA requires employers with 50 or more workers to offer coverage to employees and their children (until age 26), but not a spouse. But…
If someone decides to not buy health insurance and is injured in accident, what happens?
January 22, 2021 – If you're uninsured, don't expect free medical care in the event of an…