Thread by @charles_gaba

📣🎉 #ACA enrollment is BACK, and this time it's a #BigFrigginDeal!

Here's 10 important things to remember when you #GetCovered!
acasignups.net/21/04/15/aca-e…

1. MILLIONS WHO DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL HELP BEFORE DO NOW...AND IT COULD SAVE YOU *THOUSANDS* OF DOLLARS!

(and those who already qualified now qualify for *more* help!)

This table shows the financial help sliding scale under the #ACA (which cuts off help for middle-class enrollees)...and under the #AmRescuePlan, which covers 100% of the premiums for millions of people & caps them at no more than 8.5% *EVEN FOR MIDDLE-CLASS AMERICANS*:

2. DON'T MISS THE NEW DEADLINE!

Residents of most states have until August 15th, but the deadline is sooner in Idaho, Massachusetts & Vermont. If you miss the deadline, most people won't be able to #GetCovered until November (though there are exceptions)!

This table shows the 2021 Special Enrollment Period deadlines in every state +DC, as well as who's eligible to take advantage of it! In most states it's open to EVERY documented U.S. resident; in a few states it's only for those currently uninsured. CT's restarts on 5/01:

3. AVOID GARBAGE: MAKE SURE YOU'RE ENROLLING IN AN #ACA-COMPLIANT PLAN, THRU AN ACA-APPROVED EXCHANGE WEBSITE!

Thanks to the #AmRescuePlan, there's no rationale for BUYING JUNK PLANS ANYMORE! *EVERYONE* can afford an #ACA plan now!

Here's a table of the *official* #ACA exchange website for all 50 states + DC. Note that there are 3rd-party sites authorized to sell ACA plans as well, like HealthSherpa, but some of those also sell non-compliant plans. Stick to sites which *only* sell on-exchange #ACA plans!

4. IN 5 STATES YOU STILL HAVE TO PAY A FINANCIAL PENALTY IF YOU *DON'T* #GETCOVERED!

The federal mandate may be gone, but CA, DC, MA, NJ and RI have their own penalty for residents who don't have #ACA-compliant healthcare coverage (unless you qualify for an exemption).

Here's a table summarizing the annual mandate penalty in each of these states for NOT having #ACA-compliant healthcare coverage (unless you qualify for an affordability or other exemption):

5. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR *FREE PLATINUM PLANS* (Branded as "SILVER + EXTRA SAVINGS")!

If you earn less than 200% FPL (~$25,5K/yr if you're single; ~$52K for a family of four), CHOOSE A SILVER PLAN...IT'S ACTUALLY PLATINUM IN DISGUISE!

Due to how #ACA subsidies work & w/the extra help of the ARP, if you earn < 150% FPL you can get a *free* Silver plan w/*extra* CSR savings that effectively turn it into PLATINUM...and if you earn 150 - 200% FPL, it'll cost no more than 2% of your income: acasignups.net/21/04/01/milli…

6. MILLIONS OF THOSE WHO EARN *MORE* THAN 200% FPL ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FREE *GOLD* PLANS!

It's an ABSURDLY stupid story, but the bottom line is that thanks to a long series of events, many people who earn *more* than 200% FPL will find Gold plans with premiums lower than Silver...or even for $0/month: acasignups.net/21/04/13/updat…

7. IN MOST STATES, CURRENT #ACA ENROLLEES ARE BEING ALLOWED TO *SWITCH PLANS* MID-YEAR IF THEY WANT TO!

Normally, can't switch healthcare plans mid-year unless you have a Qualifying Life Event...but during the 2021 Special Enrollment Period, *most* states are letting you do so.

In fact, some carriers are even giving credit towards deductibles/etc! acasignups.net/21/03/19/calif…

8. IF YOU'RE ON UNEMPLOYMENT IN 2021, YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR A $0-PREMIUM "SECRET PLATINUM" PLAN...EVEN IN "MEDICAID GAP" STATES!*
*(for 2021 only)

Under the #AmRescuePlan, anyone on unemployment in 2021, including many in the #MedicaidGap, will qualify for a $0-premium, low-deductible #ACA plan (aka "CSR94 Silver").

NOTE: This won't be live in most states until July. acasignups.net/21/04/01/arp-m…

9. Even if you aren't eligible for a FREE plan, millions *more* are eligible for a LOW-COST plan...and I don't just mean Bronze; many are eligible for Silver, Gold or even #SecretPlatinum (high-CSR Silver) for less than $50/month!

I'm collecting REAL-WORLD examples of folks getting extra savings on #ACA plans. Please send yours my way...include as many details as you're comfortable sharing about your household, plan, income, price, etc. and I'll add them here: acasignups.net/21/04/16/keep-…

📣 @HHS_ASPE recently issued a report estimating *6.8 MILLION* Americans are eligible for the FREE #ACA plans I discuss upthread in HC.gov states alone--if extrapolated for all 50 states +DC, that's even higher! acasignups.net/21/04/01/aspe-…

IN SUMMARY:
📣 Up to 4.4 million are eligible for $0-premium Silver plans
📣 Most of those eligible for $0-premium Silver are EFFECTIVELY eligible for $0-premium PLATINUM!
📣 Up to 2.0 million are eligible for $0-premium GOLD plans
acasignups.net/21/04/01/milli…

10. (sigh) I hate to harsh my own buzz by ending this thread on a down note, but I do have to remind everyone that yes, it's still possible that the SCOTUS could strike down the entire #ACA due to a jaw-droppingly stupid lawsuit.

The decision is expected...soon.

🚨 The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to announce the fate of the #ACA as soon as April 22nd...or as late as June 30th.

If they uphold the law, great. If they don't...well, there's still a chance of Congress issuing a simple legislative fix. I hope.
acasignups.net/21/04/20/updat…

Anyway, if you find my work useful and want to support it, you can do so here, thanks! acasignups.net/support