American Rescue Plan Improvements to Covered California Affordability: Who Gains?

“The American Rescue Plan (ARP) has a number of important health coverage provisions, including 100% premium subsidies for COBRA coverage through September 2021. Those receiving unemployment benefits in 2021 will pay only $1 per month for an enhanced silver 94 plan, the Covered California plan option requiring the least cost sharing from households. (Covered California hopes to implement the subsidies for unemployment insurance recipients by this summer, though the subsidies are for the entire calendar year of 2021.)

In addition, the ARP includes substantial additional premium subsidies for coverage purchased through Covered California for 2021 and 2022. Californians earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level ($19,140 for a single person in 2021) qualify for an Enhanced Silver 94 Plan for $1 per month. Expected contributions vary by income but are significantly lower for families at every income level. The ARP also eliminates the federal subsidy cliff that existed for those with income above 400% FPL; no family is required to pay more than 8.5% of income for a benchmark plan.”

For more information and updates on the American Rescue Plan please follow this link.

HCA