Updated Subsidy Calculator and 300+ FAQs Help Consumers Understand the ACA Marketplaces as Open Enrollment Begins

Ahead of the annual Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period, the time during which consumers can shop for health plans or renew existing coverage, KFF has updated its Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator and its searchable collection of more than 300 Frequently Asked Questions about open enrollment, the health insurance marketplaces and the ACA.

KFF’s Health Insurance Marketplace Calculator provides estimates of 2021 health insurance premiums and subsidies for people purchasing insurance on their own in health insurance exchanges. Users can enter age, income, and family size information to estimate their eligibility for subsidies and how much they can expect to spend on health insurance.

The FAQ database covers a wide range of topics related to obtaining or renewing Marketplace coverage, and has been updated to answer questions about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this year’s open enrollment period, as well as recent policy changes that may affect women, immigrants, and non-traditional households. More than 180 of the FAQs in the collection are available in Spanish.

KFF has also updated its overview of the financial assistance available for people purchasing their own coverage, including premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies. As plan premiums will change in 2021 and new insurers are entering the marketplace in many states, consumers already enrolled should actively renew coverage to ensure they receive the most accurate subsidy amount.

Open enrollment for the Federal marketplace begins Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 and ends on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. In most state marketplaces, including new ones opening in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, open enrollment will end later. People in healthcare.gov states affected by natural disasters and/or the COVID-19 emergency can also request extended time to sign up.

Organizations assisting consumers are encouraged to link to the FAQ web page. Each question and answer may be shared individually by direct link, via Twitter and Facebook.

Visit https://www.kff.org/understanding-health-insurance for KFF’s most current resources for consumers looking for answers about open enrollment, the marketplaces and health insurance in general.