ACA Income Changes: Impact on Health Insurance Coverage and Subsidies

Losing a job can be a stressful experience, and it’s natural to have concerns about how it will affect your health insurance coverage. If you’re currently enrolled in an ACA health plan, you may be wondering what happens to your coverage and subsidies if you lose your job.

Impact on Health Insurance Coverage

When you lose your job, you may lose your employer-sponsored health insurance. However, you are not required to enroll in Medicaid if you lose your job. You have several options for continuing your health insurance coverage:

Enroll in an ACA health plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace: You can apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, regardless of whether you have lost your job. You may be eligible for subsidies to help pay for your coverage.
Continue your employer-sponsored plan: In certain cases, you may be able to continue your employer-sponsored plan for a limited time after you lose your job. You will need to check with your employer about this option.
Enroll in Medicaid: If you meet certain income requirements, you may be eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid is a government-sponsored health insurance program for low-income individuals and families.

Impact on Subsidies

If you lose your job and your income decreases, you may be eligible for increased subsidies to help pay for your ACA health plan. Subsidies are available to individuals and families with incomes below certain limits. The amount of subsidy you receive is based on your income and family size.

To report a life change event, such as losing your job, you can call the Health Insurance Marketplace at 1-800-318-2596. You can also update your information online at HealthCare.gov.

It’s important to note that you should not wait to report a life change event. Reporting a life change event will allow you to update your information and ensure that you are receiving the correct amount of subsidies.

If you have any questions about your ACA health insurance coverage or subsidies, we recommend that you seek assistance from a licensed insurance agent. A licensed agent can help you understand your options and enroll in a health plan that meets your needs.