The Obama Administration said yesterday that consumers eligible for health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act may soon be able to apply for the subsidies without obtaining coverage through www.HealthCare.gov.
NAIFA has long argued that people eligible for health care subsidies should not be restricted to the government marketplaces.
“NAIFA is pleased that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is open to allowing consumers to apply for subsidies even if they obtain coverage outside of the government marketplaces,” said NAIFA President John Nichols. “This is an important fix that will allow consumers greater flexibility and more options for obtaining health care coverage.”
The decision comes as many Americans continue to have trouble using the www.HealthCare.gov portal. However, regardless of the ACA site’s technical glitches, it is important for consumers to have the freedom to use their subsidies on plans purchased outside the exchanges.
“If the goal is to provide Americans with affordable health care coverage, rather than simply bolster the marketplace numbers, then it only makes sense for those who are eligible for subsidies to be able to use the subsidies no matter where they obtain coverage,” NAIFA President John Nichols added. “In some cases, people may find that plans offered off of the government marketplaces are a better fit for themselves or their families, or may be cheaper. Why should they be stuck with a less suitable option simply because they qualify for a subsidy?”