Underwood Delivers on Promise to Lower Health Care Costs for Illinois Families, Americans Can Now Take Advantage of New Lower-Cost Plans Available Through the Health Insurance Marketplace | Representative Lauren Underwood
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Underwood Delivers on Promise to Lower Health Care Costs for Illinois Families, Americans Can Now Take Advantage of New Lower-Cost Plans Available Through the Health Insurance Marketplace

April 1, 2021

Under Underwood’s provision in the American Rescue Plan, Americans will see lower out-of-pocket costs and reduced premiums

WASHINGTON—On the first day new, lower premium prices are available on HealthCare.gov due to the American Rescue Plan, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) encouraged Illinois families to review new savings available to them. The new coverage options have been made available because Underwood's Health Care Affordability Act was included in the American Rescue Plan to lower out-of-pocket health care premium costs by making premium tax credits for Health Insurance Marketplace plans more generous and available to more Americans. As a part of the Biden administration's Special Enrollment Period, Illinoisans can enroll in a new plan or review current plans and make changes now through August 15, 2021 by visiting Healthcare.gov.

"Now more than ever, it's critical that Americans have access to affordable health care and because of my legislation in the American Rescue Plan, lower-cost plans are available! I encourage anyone who doesn't currently have insurance, and everyone who purchases coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace to take advantage of the Special Enrollment Period and review the savings available to you and your families," said Underwood.

Illinoisans can review or compare plans by visiting Healthcare.gov.

To receive lower monthly premium costs, current enrollees should review their application, make any changes needed to their current information, submit their application and select a plan, or reselect their current plan, which will adjust the amount of their premium tax credits for 2021 Marketplace coverage. Consumers who take action in April 30 to update their information and choose the plan of their choice will start receiving savings on their May 1 premiums. To learn more about how to enroll in a new or lower-cost plan, or how to determine if you're eligible for more significant savings, visit HealthCare.gov. For assistance in over 150 languages, consumers can call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Consumers can also find a local assister or agent/broker in their area by visiting https://localhelp.healthcare.gov.

Underwood's provision in the American Rescue Plan lowers costs and expands coverage to ensure individuals and families have access to affordable care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The provision addresses the high cost of health insurance premiums in the United States by:

  • Increasing the generosity of premium tax credits across all income levels, eliminating premiums for people at the lowest income levels and reducing premiums for millions of Americans;
  • Expanding eligibility for premium tax credits to people with incomes above 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL), guaranteeing that anyone who buys Marketplace insurance can purchase a plan for 8.5% of their income or less;
  • A family of four making $110,000 per year in Illinois' 14th Congressional could save more than $7,500 per year on health care premiums.