It was in early 2021 that Congressional Democrats passed & President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which among other things dramatically expanded & enhanced the original premium subsidy formula of the Affordable Care Act, finally bringing the financial aid sliding income scale up to the level it should have been in the first place over a decade earlier.
In addition to beefing up the subsidies along the entire 100 - 400% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) income scale, the ARPA also eliminated the much-maligned "Subsidy Cliff" at 400% FPL, wherein a household earning even $1 more than that had all premium subsidies cut off immediately, requiring middle-class families to pay full price for individual market health insurance policies.
Here's what the original ACA premium subsidy formula looked like compared to the current, enhanced subsidy formula:
BALTIMORE (Oct. 31, 2024) – Marylanders can enroll in low cost health plans for 2025 on MarylandHealthConnection.gov, the state’s health insurance marketplace. It’s the only place that offers tax credits to bring down the cost of the monthly premium.
Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2024, through Jan. 15, 2025. Coverage starts Jan. 1, 2025, for plans selected by Dec. 31, and coverage starts on Feb. 1, 2025, for plans selected the first two weeks of January. This open enrollment period is for private plans only. Those who qualify for Medicaid may enroll any time of year.
“More Marylanders than ever are enrolled in health plans through Maryland Health Connection.” said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. “This past year, people who got private health insurance saved an average of $388 a month on their monthly premium.”
BALTIMORE (Oct. 1, 2024) – Marylanders can now preview 2025 health plans and prices on MarylandHealthConnection.gov, the state’s online health insurance marketplace. Use the “Get an Estimate” tool to compare health plans and savings.
Open enrollment to sign up for a 2025 health plan runs from Nov. 1, 2024 through Jan. 15, 2025. New this year, Marylanders can enroll in plans from Wellpoint Maryland, Inc. Other insurance companies include: Aetna, CareFirst, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare. Vision and dental plans also are available.
“Health insurance makes an impactful difference in the lives of Marylanders every day," said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. “With savings through Maryland Health Connection, health care is within reach. In fact, 9 out of 10 Marylanders who enroll get financial help with their health coverage.”
Health Carriers Propose Affordable Care Act Premium Rates for 2025 New carrier files to enter individual market statewide
BALTIMORE – The Maryland Insurance Administration has received the 2025 proposed premium rates for Affordable Care Act products offered by health and dental carriers in the individual, non-Medigap and small group markets, which impact approximately 496,000 Marylanders. This includes rate submissions from Wellpoint Maryland Inc., an HMO that will begin offering Affordable Care Act products in Maryland for the first time.
One of the most inane restrictions of the ACA in my view, as I noted in my "If I Ran the Zoo" wish list back in 2017, is that, by default, it doesn't allow undocumented immigrants to enroll in ACA marketplace health plans ("Qualified Health Plans" or QHPs).
I don't just mean that they aren't eligible for federal financial subsidies--that's a prohibition which I can at least understand, even if I don't agree with it. I mean that they aren't allowed to enroll in ACA exchange-based QHPs even at full price, as noted in Section 1312(f)(3):
(3) Access limited to lawful residents.--If an individual is not, or is not reasonably expected to be for the entire period for which enrollment is sought, a citizen or national of the United States or an alien lawfully present in the United States, the individual shall not be treated as a qualified individual and may not be covered under a qualified health plan in the individual market that is offered through an Exchange.
Enrollment grew more than 17% since last year to an all-time high in 11th year of state-based marketplace
BALTIMORE (Jan. 18, 2024) – More people than ever before enrolled in health coverage during the recent open enrollment through Maryland Health Connection.
Open enrollment began Nov. 1, 2023, and ended Jan. 15. During the 90-day enrollment period, 213,895 enrolled – a 17% increase from the 182,166 Marylanders who enrolled a year ago. It was the largest increase and the largest total ever on Maryland’s health insurance marketplace.
“Health care is a basic right that every Marylander deserves. Today, we are one step closer to building a healthier state where everyone can receive the care they need," Governor Wes Moore said. “We will continue to move in partnership to ensure that in Maryland, health care is affordable and accessible to all. It's an integral part of our pledge to leave no one behind."
BALTIMORE (Nov. 1, 2023) – Marylanders can now enroll in health plans for 2024 at Maryland Health Connection, the state’s health insurance marketplace.
Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2023, through Jan. 15, 2024. Coverage starts Jan. 1, 2024, for plans selected before Dec. 31, and coverage starts on Feb. 1, 2024, for plans selected the first two weeks of January. This open enrollment period is for private plans only. Those who qualify for Medicaid may enroll any time of year.
“Life can feel unpredictable - be it losing a job, losing Medicaid coverage following the end of the public health emergency, moving to Maryland, turning 26 and aging out of your parent’s plan, or deciding to be your own boss.” said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. “Maryland Health Connection has free or low-cost plans to give you peace of mind.”
MARYLAND HEALTH CONNECTION HOSTS HISPANIC HEALTH ACCESS ROUNDTABLE
In Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, MHC Engages in Community Initiatives to Empower Community
BALTIMORE (Oct. 20, 2023) – Maryland Health Connection continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering health equity and improving access to coverage for all communities, including the Hispanic community as Hispanic Heritage Month wraps up and Open Enrollment approaches. In a collaborative effort to engage and inform the Latino community, Maryland Health Connection hosted the Hispanic Health Access Roundtable on Oct. 17, at the Montgomery College Rockville Campus.
BALTIMORE (Oct. 3, 2023) – Marylanders can now preview 2024 health plans and prices on MarylandHealthConnection.gov, the state’s online health insurance marketplace. Use the “Get an Estimate” tool to compare health plans and savings. Open enrollment to sign up for a 2024 health plan runs from Nov. 1, 2023 through Jan. 15, 2024. Enroll in plans from Aetna, CareFirst, Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare. Vision and dental plans also are available.
“Maryland Health Connection is committed to keeping rates as low as possible for Marylanders and their families. We offer some of the lowest rates in the nation," said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. “Life happens. A health plan can give you a sense of security and stability when parts of your life may feel unpredictable.”
Maryland Insurance Administration Approves 2024 Affordable Care Act Premium Rates
Reinsurance Program Continues Positive Impact on Individual Rates
BALTIMORE – Maryland Insurance Commissioner Kathleen A. Birrane today announced the premium rates approved by the Maryland Insurance Administration for individual and small group health insurance plans offered in the state for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
Rate Changes for the Individual Market
The rates for individual health insurance plans subject to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will change/increase by an average of 4.7% for 2024. Approximately 229,000 Marylanders are impacted by the approved rates. However, the actual percentage by which the rates for a specific plan will change depends on the carrier and plan.
