The government has changed the way they figure Tax Credits (assistance paying premiums) for Affordable Care Act health insurance. They’re reaching out to people who have assistance now and to people who thought they weren’t eligible to tell them about the changes that might be beneficial to them. We applaud them.

Unfortunately, neither the healthcare.gov site nor representatives at 800-318-2596 are quite up to speed. Jerry S. Pearlstein Insurance has been keeping up with the changes. Here’s what we can tell you.

If you thought you were earning too much to get assistance we can help you understand the changes and whether you can benefit from them. Our information is up to the minute because we’ve been working with clients and the government since the changes went into effect. Call us now (847-362-8888) while an Open Enrollment situation is in effect.  We certainly can get you the right plan and all assistance available to you if you qualify. As always, this help comes at no cost to you.

If you’re getting assistance but think you can do better, you should know the “But….” in refiguring your assistance. The change we’re seeing so far is resulting in about a 5% decrease in premium. This, of course, is if your projected income and household size remain the same. BUT when the government revises your assistance, they create a new application. In effect, you’re starting over on your plan. You must begin again to meet the deductibles of your new plan and your Out- of- Pocket Maximum.

We arranged for over $3million in annual premium assistance for our clients during the last Open Enrollment For most of them it isn’t worth it to go back at this time.

Call us now if you don’t have health insurance or didn’t ask for assistance. We’ll be happy to see how you can benefit from the new rules and take you through the process to get all the benefits available.