Connecticut Health Foundation: 'Closing Health Insurance Affordability Gap – Two Options for Connecticut'
While
THE PROBLEM
People with incomes just above the Medicaid threshold struggle to afford health care coverage and are disproportionately likely to be uninsured. This puts them at higher risk of poor health outcomes - due to delayed or avoided care - and medical debt.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the uninsured rate in
WHO FALLS INTO THIS CATEGORY?
This paper primarily focuses on people earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but who are below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
* This includes individuals earning between approximately
* For parents in a family of four, this is the equivalent of earning between approximately
WHAT ARE THEIR OPTIONS FOR HEALTH COVERAGE?
Those with incomes above the Medicaid limit can buy health insurance through the state's exchange, Access Health CT, with federal financial aid available to lower the costs. However, even these discounted costs can represent a significant portion of a family's already-stretched budget. For example, an individual earning
WHAT CAN
This paper focuses on two options for the state to make more affordable coverage options available to near-poor adults. They are:
* Raise the income limit for Medicaid to cover more low-income state residents.
- The state could set a new upper income limit for Medicaid.
- The federal government would pay half the cost of this coverage.
* Help reduce the cost of buying insurance through Access Health CT through state-sponsored subsidies to complement the federal subsidies.
- The state could pay some or all of people's premiums for coverage on the exchange, or pay different amounts based on peoples' incomes.
- Several states already provide state-funded subsidies for exchange coverage, including
As a follow-up to this paper, researchers will model the costs of each option and identify the impact each could have on the existing insurance market.
CAN THIS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Research shows that even modest increases in affordability can make a difference in getting people covered. In
WHAT ELSE DO WE NEED TO KNOW?
Any changes in health care coverage options have effects on other parts of the health care system. This paper examines each coverage option based on several key considerations. To read the full report, visit www.cthealth.org.
Content omitted: Key Considerations When Evaluating Affordability Options
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WHITE PAPER and TABLE: https://www.cthealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fact-sheet-Closing-the-affordability-gap.pdf
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