Will leaving the ACA Marketplace Family Size box blank impact your health insurance?

The IRS recently announced a change to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace that could have a big impact on some people’s health insurance coverage. Starting in 2023, the Marketplace will no longer require applicants to provide information about their family size when they apply for coverage. This means that people who leave the family size box blank will be able to get the same coverage options and premium subsidies as those who provide information about their family size.

This change could have a significant impact on people who are not sure how many people will be in their household in the upcoming year. For example, people who are planning to start a family or who are expecting a child may not know how many people will be in their household when they apply for coverage. Leaving the family size box blank will allow them to get coverage for everyone in their household, regardless of how many people are actually living there.

However, it is important to note that leaving the family size box blank could also have some negative consequences. For example, people who leave the box blank may not be eligible for certain premium subsidies. Additionally, people who leave the box blank may be more likely to experience coverage gaps if their household size changes during the year.

Overall, the IRS’s decision to make this change is a positive one. It will make it easier for people to get health insurance coverage, regardless of their family size. However, it is important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of leaving the family size box blank before making a decision.

If you are not sure whether or not to leave the family size box blank, you should talk to a licensed health insurance agent. They can help you understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of leaving the box blank and can help you make the best decision for your individual circumstances.

Additional Information

The IRS’s announcement about the change to the ACA Marketplace can be found here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-announces-changes-to-health-coverage-tax-credit-rules-for-2023
A helpful article about the change from Kaiser Family Foundation can be found here: https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/irs-announces-changes-to-aca-marketplace-rules-for-2023/
A helpful article about the change from HealthCare.gov can be found here: https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/family-size/