Through HealthCare.gov, 58,000 Montanans are eligible for zero-dollar plans

From U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra announced Tuesday that 58,000 Montanans are eligible for zero-dollar plans through HealthCare.gov due to the American Rescue Plan signed by President Biden March 11.

About 30,000 current enrollees and 28,000 uninsured adults can sign up for quality health coverage with no monthly premiums. Additionally, 33,000 current enrollees and 32,000 uninsured adults are eligible for low-premium plans.

“We’re delivering lower health care costs to more Montanans because everyone deserves access to quality, affordable health care. Today, help is here – and people who are eligible for tax credits can start saving money on their health insurance premiums thanks to the American Rescue Plan,” Becerra said. “We have already seen more than half a million Americans nationwide gain quality affordable health care coverage through President Biden’s Special Enrollment Period. We are encouraging uninsured Montanans and current Marketplace enrollees to visit HealthCare.gov to see if they qualify for enhanced financial assistance to purchase quality, affordable health coverage.”

The American Rescue Plan increased tax credits available to millions of consumers, reducing premiums and giving consumers access to affordable, quality health care coverage. An average of 3 out of 5 eligible uninsured Americans can access zero-dollar plans after advance payments of premium tax credits and an average of 4 out of 5 current HealthCare.gov consumers will be able to find a plan for $10 or less per month after advance payments of premium tax credits. Biden opened access to an SEP on HealthCare.gov through Aug. 15 due to the continuing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, allowing consumers to sign up for a health insurance plan outside of the yearly Open Enrollment Period. More than 500,000 Americans have already signed up for health coverage on HealthCare.gov under the SEP.

Nearly 15 million Americans who lack health insurance and many current enrollees are eligible to receive additional financial support in obtaining Marketplace coverage as part of the American Rescue Plan. Recent reports show gains in enrollment among historically uninsured communities, including Black consumers and individuals near the poverty level. Of applicants who identified a race, 17 percent identified as Black – compared to about 11 percent in both 2020 and 2019 during the same time period. Among consumers requesting financial assistance, 41 percent report being at or slightly above the federal poverty level, compared to 38 percent in 2020 and 33 percent in 2019.

Consumers who want to enroll in coverage and see if they qualify for more affordable premiums can visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov to view 2021 plans and prices and, if eligible, enroll in a plan that best meets their needs. Additionally, consumers can call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596, which provides assistance in over 150 languages. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325. Consumers can also find a local assister or agent/broker in their area by visiting https://localhelp.healthcare.gov . Eligible consumers can apply through HealthCare.gov through Aug. 15, to gain access to the Special Enrollment Period to change or update their plan choices.

To see how the American Rescue Plan will bring down health care costs and expand on the Affordable Care Act, people can visit https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2021/03/12/fact-sheet-american-rescue-plan-reduces-health-care-costs-expands-access-insurance-coverage.html .

To learn more about Marketplace premiums for uninsured individuals and households for the states that use HealthCare.gov, people can visit https://aspe.hhs.gov/pdf-report/access-to-low-premiums-issue-brief-part-II .

To learn more about Marketplace premiums for current HealthCare.gov enrollees, people can visit https://aspe.hhs.gov/pdf-report/access-to-low-premiums-issue-brief-part-III .

For more information on the March enrollment report, people can visit https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2021-marketplace-special-enrollment-period-report-0 .

For more information about the Health Insurance Marketplace®[1], people can visit https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/getting-marketplace-health-insurance/.