The American Rescue Plan was signed into law on March 11, 2021.
The American Rescue Plan includes significant coverage and affordability expansions for ACA Marketplaces in addition to a third round of stimulus payments, the extension of certain unemployment benefits, and
many other helpful provisions.
In Massachusetts, that means ConnectorCare members, members receiving APTCs-only and some members with incomes beyond 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) will see premium reductions. The American Rescue Plan eliminates the subsidy cliff so that subsidies no longer end at 400 percent of the FPL, and there is no upper income limit for receiving APTCs. This means that any individual who purchases coverage through the Health Connector will now be eligible to access APTCs if their annual premium exceeds 8.5 percent of their annual household income and they do not have access to other coverage.
Member Messaging
Later this week, many Health Connector members will begin receiving
email communications about these upcoming changes. They will explain that the American Rescue Plan allows them to now qualify for more monthly tax credit savings to help lower monthly health insurance bills. Many people may see lower premiums in May.
Important: Members don’t need to take any action to qualify for these savings. The Health Connector is working to make these updates in tax credits for them automatically. However, this is a good time to work with members to update their information if anything has changed since they last applied. Remember, if their income has since gone down, they may now qualify for more tax credits and therefore lower premiums.
Mark your Calendars
The Health Connector realizes that you may have more questions about these changes. To learn more about what the American Rescue Plan changes will mean for Health Connector members and how you can help explain them to members, attend one of the upcoming Certified Assister webinars. The same information will be presented during each session.
Choose the webinar that works best for you:
Tuesday April 6th from 10 – 11:30 AM
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or
+1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 669 900 6833
Webinar ID: 912 1046 1255
Passcode: 228108
Wednesday April 14th from 2 – 3:30 PM
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Passcode: 822522
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 646 876 9923 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or
+1 669 900 6833 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799
Webinar ID: 983 5179 2062
Passcode: 822522
Additional Resources:
