A so-called "family glitch" in the 2010 health care law threatens to cost some families thousands of dollars in health insurance costs and leave up to 500,000 children without coverage, insurance and health care analysts say.
Congress defined "affordable" as 9.5% or less of an employee's wages, mostly to make sure people did not leave their workplace plans for subsidized coverage through the exchanges. But the "error" was that it only applies to the employee — and not his or her family. So, if an employer offers a woman affordable insurance, but doesn't provide it for her family, they cannot get subsidized help through the state health exchanges.
That can make a huge difference; the Kaiser Family Foundation said an average plan for an individual is about $5,600, but it goes up to $15,700 for families.
Other challenges for families remain as the Obama administration and the health care industry gear up for the Oct. 1 opening of the exchanges, websites for each state on which customers can shop for and buy health insurance.
The law requires uninsured Americans to buy health insurance; many are eligible for government subsidies to help them for the policies. For example:
• Kids may not receive Medicaid or exchange coverage if their parents aren't eligible and, therefore, don't know to check.
• Undocumented immigrants may not learn their children are eligible for insurance.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/23/aca-family-glitch-issues/2804017/
Congress defined "affordable" as 9.5% or less of an employee's wages, mostly to make sure people did not leave their workplace plans for subsidized coverage through the exchanges. But the "error" was that it only applies to the employee — and not his or her family. So, if an employer offers a woman affordable insurance, but doesn't provide it for her family, they cannot get subsidized help through the state health exchanges.
That can make a huge difference; the Kaiser Family Foundation said an average plan for an individual is about $5,600, but it goes up to $15,700 for families.
Other challenges for families remain as the Obama administration and the health care industry gear up for the Oct. 1 opening of the exchanges, websites for each state on which customers can shop for and buy health insurance.
The law requires uninsured Americans to buy health insurance; many are eligible for government subsidies to help them for the policies. For example:
• Kids may not receive Medicaid or exchange coverage if their parents aren't eligible and, therefore, don't know to check.
• Undocumented immigrants may not learn their children are eligible for insurance.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/09/23/aca-family-glitch-issues/2804017/