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23K Now Eligible for Health Care in NH

Published Monday Apr 5, 2021

23K Now Eligible for Health Care in NH

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 22,900 uninsured New Hampshire residents are newly eligible for premium tax credits and 1,000 uninsured residents are now eligible for free silver benchmark plans.

The NH Insurance Department says all three health insurance companies offering plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace (Healthcare.gov) will offer deductible and out-of-pocket maximum expense credits for consumers who want to change plans within the same company as a result of the American Rescue Plan.

The Department coordinated with Ambetter by NH Healthy Families, Anthem, and Harvard Pilgrim to resolve a deductible and out-of-pocket maximum re-set issue that would have occurred if consumers selected a different plan within the same company.

From April 1 to August 15, consumers can enroll for the first time, or resubmit their application on Healthcare.gov, to take advantage of lower monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. All consumers who currently have a plan through Healthcare.gov are encouraged to visit the website and reprocess their application. For many, this will generate the increased premium tax credit amounts that can be allocated toward the plan cost.

Jeremy Smith, program director for NH Navigator, a non-profit enrollment assistance group, says that this extended enrollment period, along with the lower prices and expanded eligibility, is the most significant thing to happen to health care in NH since the rollout of the ACA. 

“Thousands of residents have gained health coverage since the rollout of the ACA back in 2013, but we know that coverage was still out of reach for a lot of families. These expanded subsidies will make coverage more affordable right away for almost everyone who wants marketplace insurance.” Premiums will decrease, on average, by $50 per person per month or by $85 per policy per month. Four out of five enrollees will find a plan for $10 or less/month after premium tax credits.

NH Navigator is available to assist people with the process of signing up and applying for subsidies. Those already enrolled must update their application to receive the new rates.

Anyone in NH can call (603) 931-3858 to get free enrollment assistance. Consultations are available over the telephone or through a telehealth option, allowing callers to see their application completed in real-time. There is no charge for enrollment assistance. The agency receives federal funding to assist consumers. More information is available at www.acanavigator.com.

 

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