Advance Payments of the Premium Tax Credit APTC
ARPA American Rescue Plan Act
How to get & qualify for Subsidies
Introduction to Subsidies – Premium Tax Credit
- ACA/Obamacare and tax subsidies APTC are one of the most confusing things you’ll ever come across. The simplest thing to do is just get an Instant quote. Enter your projected AGI Adjusted Gross Income, line 11 of your tax return, note that MAGI Modified Adjusted Gross Income has a few other things, your date of birth, zip code and then we can set a Zoom Meeting to go over all of it.
- How do you get the premium tax credit?
- Check out our quote engine, to get a preliminary indication of the amount of subsidies you’ll qualify for. There is no extra charge for our services, just appoint us as your broker.
- In a lot of ways subsidies are hocus pocus smoke & mirrors as you have to file Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, with your tax return at the end of the year. You are also mandated to report changes within 30 days. So, at the end of the year if you make too much $$$ you might have to give it back. If you make less, you get money back on your taxes.
- Failing to file your tax return will prevent you from receiving advance credit payments in future years and can cause MAJOR PROBLEMS and coverage CANCELLATION!
- The premium tax credit is refundable so even if you hardly pay any taxes, you still benefit. The credit is generally paid in advance to a taxpayer’s insurance company to help cover the cost of premiums. IRS Website on “The Basics“
- Covered CA step by step guide to Health Insurance
FAQ’s, Links & Resources
- What can agents or brokers do to help prepare their clients who may be newly eligible for savings (Offers of Employer Coverage) on Covered CA plans?
- FAQ’s on IRS website
- Covered CA Brochure
- Tax Subsidy vs $1 Premium Credit
- What is Covered CA? Insure Me Kevin.com
- Covered CA Technical Broker Bulletins…
- If you qualify for Medicare… no subsidies
- Understanding Reasonable Opportunity Period (ROP) & Auto Discontinuance
- Portal Alert Notices Guide for Certified Enrollers
- Online Application Task Guide
- covered ca.com/documents-to-confirm-eligibility
- Tool Kits
- KFF Foundation FAQ’s
- irs.gov/affordable-care-act-tax-provisions
- VIDEO Introduction to Individual Plans for those coming from Employer Group Plans
- Pros – Cons – Complicated FAQ’s Research on staying with under 65 plan? Covered CA? vs Medicare
- Simple calculator to figure out your subsidy and enroll Online
- insure me kevin.com/did-your-covered-california-subsidy-suddenly-vanish
- insure me kevin.com/your-tax-return-is-not-linked-to-your-covered-california-account
- The Untold Story of the Workers Who Make the Affordable Care Act Work | Opinion
2024 Rates?
Covered CA Press Releases
- Covered California to Launch State-Enhanced Cost-Sharing Reduction Program in 2024 to Improve Health Care Affordability for Enrollees
- Covered California’s Health Plans and Rates for 2024: More Affordability Support and Consumer Choices Will Shield Many From Rate Increase
- National Rates 6% average KFF
- top health items in Biden’s new fiscal 2024 proposed budget
Steve Shorr VIDEO on subsidies
Health Care Reform
CMS VIDEO explains the advance premium tax credit and the different ways in which you can apply it to lower the cost of insurance for you and your family.
All our plans are Guaranteed Issue with No Pre X Clause
Quote & Subsidy #Calculation
There is No charge for our complementary services
Watch our 10 minute VIDEO
that explains everything about getting a quote
- Our Quote Engine Takes all the complexity out of using pencil and paper to figure out the premiums per the Obamacare/ACA rules under CFR §1.36B-3 *
- Get more detail on the Individual & Family Carriers available in CA
MAGI Modified Adjusted Gross Income
Calculate your Covered CA MAGI Income
take #Line8b 11 Adjusted Gross income then add line 2a, 6a & 8 (Foreign Income)
- 1040 IRS Annual Tax Form
- Schedule 1 Additional Income & Adjustments to Lower your MAGI Income
- Estimate next years MAGI Income?
- Get instant quotes, subsidy calculation and coverages
- NO ASSET TEST for MAGI based subsidies in Covered CA or MAGI Medi Cal Qualification. Steve's VIDEO
- Nor is there a lien against your estate for Covered CA or MAGI Medi Cal
Federal Poverty Level &
Program Chart
Medi-Cal? Covered CA Subsidies? Enhanced Silver?
Federal IRS #Form8962 Instructions Premium Tax Credit
Reconciliation Form for Covered CA Subsidies attaches to 1040
Subsidy is IMHO hocus pocus - smoke & mirrors
it all comes out when you file taxes!
-
Introduction
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If you got too high a subsidy or too low, it gets reconciled at tax time on form 8962. If your subsidies were too high you may have to pay the excess back and maybe penalties, if too low, you can get a tax refund or lower the amount you have to pay. In a lot of ways, IMHO subsidies are hocus pocus, jiggery pokery - smoke and mirrors as it's all guesswork and promises. Be sure to report income and household changes within 30 days.
- Instructions for IRS Form #8962 Subsidy Reconcilation
- Tracking Your Covered California Subsidy on your 1040 Federal Tax Return Insure Me Kevin.com
- ARPA & Inflation Reduction Act of 2022
- Instead of increasing taxpayer audits, policymakers should simplify taxes across the board. That way, it would be easier for everyone to pay the correct amount to the government. heritage.org/who-those-87000-new-irs-agents-would-audit
- That 87,000 new tax agents estimate represents everything from IT techs to customer service people who answer the phone and help you file your return. Second, it includes attrition. So, the actual enforcement personnel is 5,000 LA Times * Mother Jones
- IRS backlog hits nearly 24 million returns, further imperiling the 2022 tax filing season
- ARPA Stimulus - you don't have to pay back 2020 overage on subsidies IRS.Gov *
- InsureMeKevin.com on subsidies & pay backs... 1.25.2022 update ARPA and 600% CA
- 1040 Instructions
- Overview FTB site
- How to Reconcile Subsidies FTB
- Calculate Pay Back
- Assistance Repaying California Subsidies
- covered ca.com/the most you might have to pay back
- 2022 Insure Me Kevin.com
- Our webpage on Form 8962 - Premium Tax Credit Subsidy Reconciliation
#Covered CA Certified Agent
No extra charge for complementary assistance
- Appoint us as your broker
- Get Instant Health Quotes, Subsidy Calculation & Enroll
- Videos on how great agents are
Technical Links for
Premium Tax #Credits §136 B
CFR 136 B 3 – How is Tax Credit #Calculated
|
Kaiser Foundation Subsidy Explanation |
- § 1.36B-1 Premium tax credit definitions.
§ 1.36B-2 Eligibility for premium tax credit.
§ 1.36B-3 Computing the premium assistance credit amount.
§ 1.36B-4 Reconciling the premium tax credit with advance credit payments.
§ 1.36B-5 Information reporting by Exchanges.
§ 1.36B-6 Minimum value. - CFR 155.305 HTML Eligibility Standards
- 26 CFR 1 & 602
- §1.36b-1 Premium tax credit definitions
- law.cornell.edu/uscode 1396a
- final regulations,
- proposed regulations relating to minimum value of eligible sponsored plans
- Notice 2013-41, whether or when individuals are considered eligible for coverage under certain Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, TRICARE, student health or state high-risk pool programs MR. Mip.
- final regulations on the reporting requirements for Marketplaces.
- HR 3590 Section 1001 HR 4872
- Code of Federal Regulations §1.36b-2Eligibility for premium tax credit.
#Report changes as they happen - within 30 days! 10 CCR California Code of Regulations § 6496
10 days for Medi Cal 22 CCR § 50185
Our webpage on ARPA & Unemployment Benefits - Silver 94
IRS Form 5152 - Report Changes
- Our VIDEO on how to report changes to Covered CA
- Lost your job? How to keep your Health Insurance. Shelter at Home VIDEO
- References & Links
- Here's instructions, job aid, reporting change in income
- Our webpage on the exact definition of MAGI Income
- If you've appointed us - instructions - as your broker, no extra charge, we can do it for you.
- Voter Registration
- Denial of benefits and possible criminal charges if you don't report changes in income!
- When Increasing Your Covered California Income Estimate Creates an Ethical Dilemma Insure Me Kevin.com
- Fudging Income?
- Western Poverty Law on reporting changes
- How to cancel coverage.
- agents and brokers who suspect or know a fraudulent application for insurance has been submitted to report the potential fraud to the California Department of Insurance Fraud Division. Read more >>> Wshblaw.com
- Visit our webpage on how to report changes
- VIDEO What is APTC Advance Premium Tax Credit
- Health Net VIDEO How to get subsidies – pay less for coverage
- Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA)
- Am I eligible to claim the Premium Tax Credit?
- IRS FAQ on Premium Tax Credit
Tax #Estimators
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) & The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
How do the Subsidies under ARPA compare to ACA?
HR 117 ARPA Premium Tax Credit
TAS Tax Tips: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 individual tax changes summary by year
cnn.com/trump-health-care-complicated
Premium Problems if ARPA isn’t renewed
July 12, 2022 VIDEO will ARPA be renewed for January 2022?
- BIG problems with premiums for 2023 if ARPA isn’t continued! Learn More Fact Sheet NASHP
- Covered CA Summaries – Generally simpler, plain English and better summary
- newsweek.com/cut-health-not-inflation-opinion
- american progress.org/11-ways-the-inflation-reduction-act-will-help
- route-fifty.com/why-senate-deal-could-keep-millions-losing-health-insurance
- Millions to Lose Coverage if American Rescue Plan PTCs Expire
- Five Things to Know about the Possible Renewal of Extra Affordable Care Act Subsidies
- Projected Coverage and Subsidy Impacts If the American Rescue Plan’s Marketplace Provisions
Sunset in 2023 - Democrats are feeling increased pressure to extend health care subsidies approved during the pandemic
- Delays Extending The American Rescue Plan’s Health Insurance Subsidies Will Raise Premiums And Reduce Coverage
- Reducing Premiums Can Lead to Improved Insurance Coverage Considering the fact that the majority of low-income consumers owe small premiums, researchers suggested that lowering premiums by a few dollars monthly could improve insurance coverage.
- Falling off the Subsidy Cliff: How ACA Premiums Would Change for People Losing Rescue Plan Subsidies
- Costs will increase significantly for nearly 150,000 Californians if Congress lets federal subsidies expire LA Times
- Zero-dollar premiums could improve coverage on ACA exchanges compared to those paying small amount
- health payer intelligence.com/hhs-cms-extend-american-rescue-plan-funding-for-hcbs-another-year
- I don’t know if or how this might apply to Covered CA subsidies.
- There might – will be big increases in 2022 when subsidies are lost, especially the unemployment benefit.
- Covered California Leader Urges Renewal of Enhanced Federal Aid for Health Premiums CA Health Line.org
- Pressure to extend subsidies ARPA Fierce Health News 5.24.2022
- Healthcare spending could drop $11.4B next year if ACA premium subsidies expire Health Care Dive.com 5.26.2022
Legislation to renew ARPA
- Temporary subsidies were originally passed as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021, which included two years of enhanced subsidies, 2021 and 2022. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which passed in 2022, extended these enhanced subsidies for an additional three years, ending after 2025. Health Care Finance News *
- khn.org/changes-signed-into-law
- #Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Wikipedia
- Text of HR 5376 Inflation Reduction Act
- Health Care, Climate and Taxes: Here’s What’s in the Inflation Reduction Act
- Health care budget bill to face open-ended ‘vote-a-rama’ Narrowed bill will be open for amendment on climate, taxes, child care and more
- white house.gov/by-the-numbers-the-inflation-reduction-act
- Insurers, providers exposed as clock winds down for enhanced ACA subsidies 7.22
- What’s in the Manchin-Schumer deal
- CMS to Congress: ‘Time is of the essence’ on extending boosted ACA subsidies 6.22.2022
- Build Back Better Act
#COVID19 Bill
The American Rescue Plan Act ARPA
2021 Federal Stimulus Package
March 2021
VIDEO Introduction to ARPA by Steve
- ARPA subsidies have been extended through 2025 Kff.org * Congress.Gov Section 12001 * under the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden on 8.17.2022
- Covered California’s Insurance Deals Range From ‘No-Brainer’ to Sticker Shock
- The Coronavirus bill represents the biggest expansion of Federal Help – Subsidies, since ACA/Health Reform/Obamacare started in 2010!
- Use our Quote Subsidy Calculator Engine, to see how ARPA works for you.
- There are way more subsidies and there is no upper income limit chart (FPL) for 2021 and 2022.
ARPA Provides:
- Those enrolled in Covered California health plans will not have to pay more than 8.5% of their household income for the second lowest cost silver plan – Get Quotes
- If you are not in Covered CA, there is a special enrollment period to apply. If you stay with the same insurance company, your deductibles & co pays will transfer over!
- Any person in 2021 who received unemployment insurance for one week or more, and their total income qualifies for coverage through Covered California, will receive federal premium tax credit available for 138% of FPL Silver 94? for the duration of the Public Health Emergency in 2021.
- In California, individuals making between 138 percent and 150 percent of the federal poverty level — between $17,776 and $19,140 per year — will see their already-low premiums eliminated. San Diego Union * Covered CA FAQ for Brokers *
- 100% federal premium subsidy for COBRA coverage Blue Shield *
- Despite What the White House Says, Obamacare Is Deeply Troubled PRI Center for Economics & Innovation
- Get quotes to see how ARPA would work for you.
- ARPA is funded to the tune of $34 Billion for only two years and would change the formulas for health insurance tax credits to make them more generous for most people, and also allow a wider number of individuals to qualify.
- ARPA follows President Biden’s strategy of getting all Americans covered. Modern Health Care 3.8.2021 * NPR *
- Covered CA will automatically check if clients get more subsidies. BUT! your consent to allow Covered CA to check your finances in the Federal Hub, etc. must be up to date. Here’s their quick guide on how to do that.
- ARPA is comprehensive and there are several provisions that we are watching closely that would affect how people pay for their health insurance coverage:
- Removing the cap on subsidies for people earning more than 400% [600% in CA] of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) –Currently those with a Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of more than 400% of the FPL are not generally eligible for Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTC). Additionally, there is legislation that would make the removal of the 400% cap permanent.²
- Lower the maximum a person has to pay for the Benchmark Plan from 9.83% of MAGI to 8.5% of MAGI – This provision would drop the amount the insured person has to pay for insurance from 9.83% of his MAGI to 8.5%.
- Provide no-cost Silver Plans for people receiving unemployment insurance – Americans on unemployment insurance during 2021 would receive the Benchmark Silver Plan in their market for a $0 premium contribution while they are receiving unemployment insurance.⁴
- APRA COVID Stimulus bill will also pay your COBRA and Cal COBRA premium.
- All ages will be affected, but this bill will have the greatest impact on near-seniors, or those aged 55-64 because of the cost of their ACA coverage. Stephens Mathews Email 3.11.2021 *
Resources & Links
- HR 1319 on Congress.Gov
- Congressional Budget Report – Premium Tax Credit
- 242 page pdf of HR 1319
- Insure Me Kevin.com
- Kaiser Foundation Analysis & Summary 3.15.2021
- Cal Matters.org
- Affordability
- HHS Fact Sheet
- IRS Overview
- Covered CA Website on ARPA
- CC March 18th 22 page slide show
- Federal Data Services Hub
- Target Strategies
- Covered CA Broker Briefing April
- July 28,2021 Press Release
- Covered CA says subsidies are too big to ignore
- Sample – Messaging for on-exchange members with a subsidy
- Blue Cross Power Point Presentation
- Word & Brown Insurance Wholesaler Summary
- Unemployment Compensation Enhancements Silver 94
- Extensive FAQ from Anthem Webinar
- california healthline.org covered-california-insurance-deals-2022
- Impact of the American Rescue Plan Act on State-Based Health Insurance Marketplaces: Increased Affordability and Access for Consumers
- ACA Health Insurance Enrollment Sets New Record
- Covered CA ONLINE Application – Job Aid
#Native Americans Heath Insurance subsidies, etc
No Health Care Expenses, Depending on Income
Federally recognized American Indians and Alaska Natives who earn less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level (see chart) will not have to pay certain out-of-pocket medical costs, such as copays and deductibles, if they purchase health insurance coverage through Covered California, no extra charge for use to help you. Get Quote
No Cost-Sharing for Covered Services Provided by an American Indian Health Provider or Clinic, Regardless of Income
There are no copays or deductibles for any covered services received directly through the federal Indian Health Service, tribes, tribal organizations or urban American Indian organizations.
Ability to Buy Insurance Anytime
American Indians and Alaska Natives can buy or change health insurance plans once a month through Covered California and are not subject to open-enrollment periods. Our webpage on special enrollment
Exemption from the Shared Responsibility Payment
All members of federally recognized tribes and all American Indians and Alaska Natives who are eligible for services through an Indian Health Service provider are eligible from an exemption from the shared responsibility payment (the tax penalty consumers pay if they do not have minimum essential health coverage).
more exemption information.
Our webpage on CA Penalty *
Exemptions from CA Mandate Penalty
covered ca.com/documents-to-confirm-eligibility/american-indian-or-alaskan-native
Additional information that may be of interest to American Indians and Alaska Natives is available below:
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ “Outreach & Education Resources” page
- Information about the Affordable Care Act from the Indian Health Service
- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ information page for special populations
- The California Rural Indian Health Board’s website about Covered California and the Affordable Care Act
- The California Consortium for Urban Indian Health
- Covered California Tribal Consultation
- healthcare.gov/american-indians-alaska-natives
- coveredca.com/american-indians
- USA Today – ACA hard sell for Native Americans 10.15.2013
- Tribal Pharmacy Dispenses Free Meds and Fills Gaps for Native Americans in the City KHN.org
- ca health advocates.org/tribal-nations-medicare/
More Links
- What tribe are you a member of?
- Check out these links:
- coveredca.com/american-indians/
- ihs.gov/aca/
- ihs.gov/ihcia/
- ihs.gov/forpatients/patientsrights/
- cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/American-Indian-Alaska-Native/AIAN/Outreach-and-Education
- cms.gov/special-populations
- crihb.org/
- oag.ca.gov/native american
Southern CA
Tongva Territory
- mwgoe.org Many Winters Gathering of Elders – San Pedro, CA
- facebook.com/Many Winters Gathering of Elders/
- Map of Tongva Territory – Scroll Down
FAQ's #Negative MAGI Income – Qualification for Medi Cal? Subsidies?”
- Question If your MAGI Income is negative, can you still qualify for Covered CA subsidies APTC even if you have some income, before you get to line 11 of your 1040?
. - Answer - NO! See the income chart. Your MAGI Income - AGI needs to be over 138% of FPL Federal Poverty Level
- CFR 1.36 B C how APTC Premium Assistance is calculated
- We also have no idea how long a tax loss will show up on line 11 adjusted gross income line of your 1040? See the IRS publications on Long Term Capital gains, above.
- No problem getting health coverage, you just won’t get subsidies. Click here to get quotes and enroll online.
- Sources
- Western Poverty Law and go over them with appropriate counsel.
- How to calculate MAGI Income
- Q & A on Intuit Site
- See publication 536 Net Operating Loss
- Form 8962 Reconcile Premium Tax Credit You must enter your Modified Adjusted Gross Income MAGI
- IRS FAQ - What are the Income Limits
- Covered CA online application asks for Tax Deductions Email dated Wed 11/29/2023 8:54 AM Click on image to enlarge
- Question If your carry over net operating loss (from prior years) is allowed to be taken into account, is it part of the Federal Modified Adjusted Gross Income number ) or does California specifically require you to take it out of the equation?
- Answer Please see above on the definition of MAGI Income. I’m not aware of states having any authority over your Federal Tax return.
- Covered CA does not authorize agents to give tax advise. They suggest you get it from Volunteers at VITA.
- Note that the Income Chart says FEDERAL Poverty Level!
-
Do you really expect a clerk at Medi Cal to answer this kind of question?
-
We can help you with Covered CA when your income reaches 138% or more of FPL or if you go direct. Get quotes here.
- Answer Please see above on the definition of MAGI Income. I’m not aware of states having any authority over your Federal Tax return.
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MAGI details from a Higher Up at Medi Cal
- Medi Cal agrees that MAGI can be negative and will educate the Counties...
- Good afternoon Steve,Thank you for raising this issue with DHCS. Without a signed Medi-Cal Authorized Representative form MC 382 on file with the county or provided to DHCS, I cannot speak to any specifics surrounding a Medi-Cal case.However, speaking in general terms, when a case is escalated to DHCS typically we will do direct outreach with the county involved and Covered California (if needed). If training issues are identified such as incorrect information being provided, then training and resources will be provided.
Additionally, DHCS has flagged “negative” reported loss income as a policy clarification area to provide further guidance on in future for counties, since it is not uncommon but can be a confusing area to make sure the information is captured correctly in the systems and the policy is clear.
Thank you for raising this and helping identify this opportunity for improvement, and have a wonderful rest of your day!
- Kathryn Floto, MPA | Health Program Specialist II
Medi-Cal Eligibility Division
California Department of Health Care Services -
Good morning,
For Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) Medi-Cal income and deductions policy, DHCS published All County Welfare Director’s Letter (ACWDL 21-04).
Page 2, Section 1 provides guidance on policy for countable income for MAGI program calculation, which is federal taxable income minus any allowable (post-tax) deductions under federal code. Page 3 links to an Income and Deductions chart tool to determine if a post-tax deduction can be used for MAGI-based Medi-Cal and for Covered California eligibility. Please note that the chart and the Covered California website deductions are post-tax deductions, and pre-tax deductions are already included when calculating AGI.
Tax loss is not considered an acceptable post-deduction for MAGI Medi-Cal or Covered California per federal code. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has also published a document detailing MAGI rules with deduction information on page 7.
If the tax loss is considered as more of a capital gains/loss, or other loss such as real estate reported on Schedule E, then this amount should be entered into the system as an income with a negative (for example: -819,988). This will tell the system the income is actually at a loss and will reduce the income.
I would be happy to research your client’s case specifically if you can provide identifying information for me to look her up (name, DOB, SSN). Please let me know if you or your client are interested and I can initiate a secure e-mail and send over appropriate documents to share private information for your client to fill out in order for me to share back any results.
Thank you, and please let us know if you have any further questions.
Kathryn Floto, MPA | Health Program Specialist II
Medi-Cal Eligibility Division
California Department of Health Care Services
https://www.coveredca.com/learning-center/tax-forms-and-filing/financial-help-repayment-limits/
https://hbex.coveredca.com/toolkit/pdfs/Renewal_Toolkit_Final.pdf
https://edition.pagesuite.com/popovers/dynamic_article_popover.aspx?guid=f67aee35-8383-45cb-b0d2-ceb47943a414&v=sdk
https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/the-next-big-aca-fight-subsidies.html
https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/individual-market-ira-subsidies/
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/obamacare-subsidies-presidential-election/
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/publications/top-10-ways-to-make-your-health-benefits-work-for-you.pdf
https://acatimes.com/what-would-the-acas-premium-tax-credit-expiration-mean-for-compliance/
https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/kamala-harris-and-healthcare-policy-maternal-health-abortion-rights-the-affordable-care-act-equity-and-ai
https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/kff-rolling-back-enhanced-subsidies-would-raise-premium-payments
https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/weight-loss-drugs-1-factor-behind-aca-premium-increases-3-things-to-know.html