The recently approved American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is bringing some significant changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA). From now until August 15, 2021, those eligible for ACA coverage will be able to switch their health care plans and save money in the process, thanks to the expanded subsidies available to most Americans. Don’t miss this opportunity to help your clients by making their plans more affordable to have and easier to use. Here’s an overview of what agents should be doing during these ACA changes.
ACA Expansion
The American Rescue Plan includes five main changes to the Affordable Care Act that will support and improve both accessibility and affordability of the health insurance marketplace. The act will support the ACA by:
- Extending ACA subsidies to those whose income was too high to qualify for 2021 and 2022 coverage.
- Increasing those subsidies currently offered through the premium tax credit program for 2021 and 2022 plans.
- Providing those receiving unemployment benefits with more substantial subsidies through the premium tax credit program for 2021 and 2022 plans.
- Protecting taxpayers who inaccurately estimated their income for 2020, due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, from having to repay premium tax credits during tax season.
- Providing $20 million for state-based health insurance marketplaces so that they can modernize and provide updated services in compliance with the American Rescue Plan.
Those who do not currently have ACA coverage are eligible to apply, while those with ACA plans are eligible to switch plans.
What Agents Should be Doing
These changes offer all agents a golden opportunity to help their clients save money and get better health coverage. Nearly everyone on an ACA plan, or who is eligible for ACA coverage, may receive some additional subsidy that can help them protect their families while saving money. Even those in the Medicare space can ask clients for referrals of adult children and grandchildren.
Agents should reach out to every client in their book of business. If the client contacts healthcare.gov or another agent, or is contacted by another agent, the original agent may lose their spot as the agent of record and will miss out on rewriting that customer’s policy. This opportunity provides agents with a rare opportunity to assist each of their clients while making easy extra income.
American Rescue Plan
Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act on March 10, 2021. The legislative package includes a whopping $1.9 trillion in relief for industries, businesses, and individuals, and is aimed at preventing another national economic crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps the most widely recognized portion of the act is the distribution of $1,400 stimulus checks to individuals who make under a certain income threshold. Along with providing an enrollment extension and expanded subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, the American Rescue Plan also offering changes for both Medicare and Medicaid.
Agents
We hope this information on what agents should be doing during the American Rescue Plan’s period of change is helpful to you.
Empower Brokerage is dedicated to helping you educate your clients on the insurance they need and staying on top of their health. Whether it’s through webinar training, one-on-one calls, seminars, or marketing plans. We want you to be successful. Give us a call if you have any questions 888-539-1633.
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Originally from the snow-capped Rockies, Macee moved to Texas in 2016 to pursue an undergraduate degree in Strategic Communication. She currently serves as a writer and editor for Empower Brokerage, as well as the marketing manager for Preferred Senior Advisors. Macee is also working on her Master’s degree in management, and hopes to inspire others with her passion for telling stories through varied digital and print marketing efforts.
