Don't Miss Out on Health Insurance Savings

More Pennsylvanians age 64 and younger now qualify for tax credits to help lower the cost of their Affordable Care Act coverage purchased through the state’s health insurance marketplace, Pennie.

The federal American Rescue Plan increases the tax credits for health insurance premiums and expands how many can qualify for them. New and current enrollees have until Aug. 15 to sign up or to reevaluate their coverage needs.

AARP has created a resource to help you navigate plan options, at aarp.org/acapennsylvania. Help is also available by going to Pennie.com or calling 844-844-8040.

“This legislation throws a lifeline to lower- and middle-income Pennsylvanians,” said Joanne Grossi, 62, of East Norriton, AARP Pennsylvania’s volunteer state president. “This is going to make health insurance much more affordable.”

An estimated 6 percent of state residents ages 45 to 64 don’t have health coverage, a recent report by AARP and Drexel University shows.

Households that pay more than 8.5 percent of their income toward the cost of an ACA benchmark plan now qualify for federal tax credits to help them afford health insurance. The average American with a marketplace plan can save $50 per month with the new assistance, which lasts through 2022.

The new subsidies are retroactive to Jan. 1 for those already enrolled through the marketplace.

—Hilary Appelman