The upcoming change that requires all individuals to have an individual health insurance policy is making many concerned about what it means for them. The biggest concern that people are expressing is one of being able to afford a policy as health insurance isn’t cheap. Fortunately, the legislation foresaw the fact that cost would be an issue for the uninsured and took steps to alleviate the cost in the form of individual subsidies.
There are two requirements needed in order to qualify for individual subsidies. One is to obtain an individual health insurance premium through an exchange and the other is to have income less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). As an example, the FPL for a family of four in 2011 was $89,000. Individuals whose employers policy is too expensive or has inadequate coverage can also qualify for individual subsidies.
The ACA has two kinds of individual subsidies to help offset the cost of insurance. One is a monthly premium assistance tax credit that lowers the amount that has to be paid. The other is cost-sharing assistance that limits an individuals’ maximum out-of-pocket expenses. Some may also qualify for reduction of other cost-sharing needs.