Medicaid Eligibility and Tax Return Refunds

Imagine you estimated your annual income too high when enrolling in ACA health insurance coverage. Your income circumstances changed, resulting in you earning less than the Medicaid eligibility threshold. You paid health insurance premiums throughout the year, but you were eligible for Medicaid coverage. Can you get a refund for the premiums you paid?

Understanding Medicaid Eligibility

Medicaid is a government-funded health insurance program for low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is determined based on income, household size, and other factors. If your income falls below the Medicaid threshold, you may qualify for premium-free coverage.

Premium Refunds for Medicaid Eligibility

In certain situations, you may be eligible for a refund of the health insurance premiums you paid if you were later determined to be eligible for Medicaid. This is because you should not have been paying premiums for private health insurance if you were eligible for Medicaid.

To qualify for a premium refund, you must meet the following conditions:

You were enrolled in a qualified health plan through the Marketplace.
You paid health insurance premiums.
You were later determined to be eligible for Medicaid coverage for the same period you paid premiums.
You repaid any premium assistance you received from the Marketplace.

How to Get a Refund

To get a refund for premiums paid while eligible for Medicaid, you can:

Contact the Marketplace and provide proof of Medicaid eligibility.
File your taxes using Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit. On this form, indicate that you were eligible for Medicaid and repaid any premium assistance received.

Accounting for Months with Too Much Income for Medicaid

If your income exceeded the Medicaid eligibility threshold for some months during the year, you will need to account for those months when filing your taxes. You can do this by:

Paying the full monthly premiums for those months using after-tax dollars.
Enrolling in a premium-free Medicaid plan and paying back any premium assistance received for those months.

Seeking Professional Help

Navigating the complexities of ACA health insurance and Medicaid eligibility can be challenging. If you have questions or need assistance, it’s recommended to seek the help of a licensed insurance agent. They can provide personalized guidance and help you determine the best course of action based on your specific situation.