Pssst...Anticipated health plan changes for 2027- from a managed care insider and Marketing MBA
- aclarkeinsurance
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
As of this writing, details about approved ACA rates/plans as well as Medicare rates/plans are not yet available. SOLO plans with Connecticare are discontinued after 2026.
After contacting Governor Lamont's campaign, some insight about the State's position on extending the state temporary assistance for individual/family health plans. Federal extension of the so-called Enhanced Tax Credits in less likely. Expect to hear more from us --target date of Labor Day 2026.
How CAN you prepare for the upcoming year?- ACA Plans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having your anticipated adjusted gross income for 2027 handy (if seeking any type of subsidy). Are you planning to contribute to a tax advantaged investment or other deduction on your tax return? (Confer with your tax advisor, we are not permitted to give tax advice).
Have your medical history, key provider list and current Rx medications handy (including dosage and frequency), any expected surgeries or procedures for the upcoming year? Having a new baby? These are deciding factors in choosing an optimal plan.
Understand the HSA plans- www. irs.gov to find out more about funding an HSA and possibly getting a tax deduction. Many local banks offer them as well as online vendors. You can do an internet search and do your own research on the cost (if any) and the benefits such as the debit card, the services you can pay with HSA, funding flexibility and features, functions and benefits.
Understand what you CAN and CAN'T pay for with an HSA. Know the IRS limits (DIYers: Internet search- plan year- individual or family and pro-rate if for partial year).
If opening an HSA account mid-year, be mindful of any applicable pro-rationing that you need to calculate so you don't overfund your plan. You must have an HSA compatible plan (any Bronze level plan). You no longer need to have "HSA" in the plan title, although the "HSA" named plans are the traditional HSA plan design, in which (all out of pocket costs go towards the deductible except covered preventive care by an in network provider). Examples of what is considered "preventive care" for cost sharing purposes:
Annual physical, annual ob/gyn visit, mammography and colonoscopy are a few examples. Each carrier determines what THEY consider to be preventive care at no cost to the member.
Check with your individual insurance carrier if you want to clarify and confirm what preventive care will be covered for you at no out of pocket cost, to avoid frustration.
Do the math; compare the out of pocket costs and premiums for 3 of your most compatible plans.
Per the Governor's office, Governor Lamont supports the continuation of the state assistance to make ACA marketplace plans more affordable. The federal tax credits are still available to those who qualify. Alternative health plans such as short term medical plans from years ago are not coming back to CT. Hartford's position is they are not as comprehensive as the ACA plans and will not be offered in the State in the foreseeable future.
Buying outside of the standard mainstream plan offerings with Anthem and Connecticare can lead to issues. If the plan doesn't work out, you can't re-enroll in an ACA marketplace plan until the next open enrollment. The purpose of ANY insurance is to minimize risk; if you sign up for something outside of the mainstream insurance, you are assuming the financial risk. In the past, some clients have thought they were smarter than the average bear and signed up for a non-ACA plan. If you would like to pull up a chair and grab a cup of coffee sometime, I will tell you what happened.
**Representing Access Health ACA plans since 2013
Certified Access Health Broker **
Comments