We’re still talking about the fix for Family Glitch. Remember, that’s the new federal change that allows spouses and dependents to shop on Healthcare.gov WITH SUBSIDIES if the cost of family coverage through an employer is too high.
So, who is the Family Glitch Fix going to help? Eventually, millions of people.
Who Exactly?
One group it is expected to help significantly is women and children. I’ve been reading a new study from the Employee Benefits Research Institute that looked at coverage between 2012 – 2020 and learned this:
“There is strong evidence that the ACA ’family glitch‘ reduces the likelihood that partners are covered by non-group coverage, especially among families with children. Women whose partner has group coverage are 2–3 times more likely to be uninsured than have non-group coverage.”
So, in cases where a family plan that covers everyone in the household might be too expensive to buy, women are much more likely to go without insurance than have an individual plan or Medicaid.
Meanwhile, in single-parent households, only 63–69% of children had group coverage if their parent had group coverage. At the same time, in two-parent families, 89% of children had group coverage if their father had group coverage. For single-parent families who make too much to qualify for Medicaid, fixing the Family Glitch could mean a lot more children getting access to affordable health insurance.
Check out and share this video (1:33) we created to explain the fix for the Family Glitch and who it can help. If you know someone who might benefit from knowing about it, it is not too late for them to start shopping, even if they already signed up for their group coverage for 2023.
Also, if you are looking for an official calculator to figure out if your employer’s family plan insurance premiums are too pricy, check out Healthcare.gov starting this Monday, Dec. 12. As of right now (Dec. 9, 2022), you have to create an account and go deep into the application process to access the calculator. But I’m told it will be available without applying starting next week.
Get Help Picking a Plan
Speaking of next week, if you want a Healthcare.gov plan with coverage that starts Jan. 1, you will need to sign up by Dec. 15. But if you’re still exploring your options and need more time, never fear – Open Enrollment Period goes through Jan. 15, 2023.
And as I often say, don’t go it alone. If you’re unsure about what you qualify for or need help understanding your plan choices, you can work FOR FREE with a licensed agent who has experience in Healthcare.gov plans. You are not obligated to buy just because you talk to an agent, so I’d strongly encourage you to take advantage of this option, especially if you’re new to the Healthcare.gov market.
Connect with an agent by visiting GetPlanOptions.com or calling 1-844-GET-BLUE (1-844-438-2583; TTY 711). Agents are available 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays until Jan. 15. They will be closed on Christmas (Dec. 25)and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2023).
Straight Talk is … I’m trying to spread the word about the Family Glitch fix and I need your help.
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