The HealthCare.Gov Enrollment Period Is Now Open

It’s time to check out your options for health coverage through HealthCare.Gov! If you or your family needs health insurance for 2023, you can sign up on HealthCare.Gov from November 1, 2022 to January 15, 2023. To have coverage that begins on January 1, you must enroll by December 15. 

During the last open enrollment period, a record 1.8 million Texans enrolled in a plan through HealthCare.Gov — 550,000 more people than in 2021. Increased affordability and new financial help were big reasons for this increase. About 94% of Texas consumers got financial help with getting coverage, and 38% of Texans paid $10 a month or less for insurance.

What’s new this year?

Even if you’ve checked your options before, it’s worth checking them again. New rules and increased affordability may mean there are more appealing options for coverage. 

  • Family Glitch Fix
    • Just in time for open enrollment, a new rule was published that makes it possible for the family members of workers who get insurance through their employer to get help paying for their own coverage through HealthCare.Gov. Every Texan supported the rule, citing the impact on the 671,000 Texans who could benefit — the largest number of people in any state. But people can’t get financial assistance at HealthCare.Gov if they have an offer of adequate, affordable employer coverage. An employer plan is considered “affordable” in 2023 if the employee’s premium contribution is less than 9.12% of their household income. In the past, the affordability test didn’t consider the cost to add a worker’s spouse or kids to the plan, even though coverage for dependents is often very expensive. Now, affordability will also be considered for each family member. Families of low-paid workers, small business employees, workers in the service industry, and children under age 18 are expected to benefit most.
  • Coverage continues to be more affordable through 2025 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act
    • Many Texans can get comprehensive coverage with a $0 monthly premium and low or no deductibles, including:
  • Citizens earning between 100-150% of the federal poverty level (between $13,590 and $20,385 for an individual or between $27,750 and $41,625 for a family of four) 
  • Lawfully present immigrants, including many Legal Permanent Residents who are ineligible for Medicaid, are also eligible for these enhanced subsidies earning below 150% of the federal poverty level ($20,385 for an individual or $41,625 for a family of four). 
  • The “subsidy cliff” is still fixed. People earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level ($54,360 for individuals and $111,000 for families of four) can continue to get financial help paying for coverage, with premiums capped at 8.5% of their income.

Many Texans, including citizens and lawfully present immigrants, have options for shopping for health coverage. The process can be confusing — but help is available. 

Community organizations are standing by to offer free, expert help with the sign-up process across Texas: 

  • HealthCare.Gov has a tool to Find Local Help from certified enrollment assisters at local community-based organizations who can help you sign up for coverage through HealthCare.Gov, Medicaid, and CHIP. 
    • To filter search results for community-based groups, click on the “Type of local help” in the filters and select “assister.” 
  • The Get Covered Connector lets you search for enrollment assistance locations statewide by zip code. Bonus: in the Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi areas, you can also book an appointment for assistance.
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