The American Rescue Plan Act, the law that passed in the spring of 2021, includes new provisions that make coverage more affordable for most Montanans. Here are a few highlights and details, but this stuff gets really confusing. Local help is available to help you make sense of these changes and your coverage options.

Expected premium contributions, the amount you pay toward your plan, have been reduced:

• Background: The amount you pay toward your premium is based on your income and where you fall on the Federal Poverty Level. Most Montanans receive a tax credit that makes up the difference between the expected contribution based on your income and the cost of the benchmark Silver Plan in your area.
• Want to learn more? Check out this fact sheet about the changes from Health Reform: Beyond the Basics.
• As you can see, this quickly gets confusing. The easiest way to see what you qualify for under is to fill out the calculator.

More Montanans May Qualify for Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTC):

• Tax credits are now available to those above 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. However, the credit will not apply once the premium for the benchmark Silver Plan (the second-lowest cost Silver Plan) is at or below 8.5% of someone’s projected income. 

Anyone receiving unemployment benefits at any point in 2021 will be determined to be at 133% of the Federal Poverty Level

• This means that anyone who received unemployment benefits will qualify for an affordable Silver Level Plan and receive cost sharing reductions to reduce out of pocket costs when going to the doctor. This is regardless of actual income for 2021.

But find out for yourself, fill out the calculator and see what you might qualify for!