ACA 2022 preview not calcing correctly?

[boarder42]

So when I ran numbers thru this pre the ACA increased subsidies i got numbers similar to what i get today, lowest price plan for me was 230ish per month.  Then that stimulus passed and changed the levels.  and i was getting as low as 25 dollars a month. 

Now the new plan previews are showing 230 a month with the same income.  Any one else seeing this?

[dandarc]

Not at healthcare.gov for me - things look reasonable for our household. Possible prices have gone up in your area or subsidies have gone down (this happened to us - just in time for actually being able to get a premium tax credit for the first time ever).

[dandarc]

So the first point is obvious - baseline premiums go up every year usually. Depending on your family structure, that $200 increase might not even be all that much in terms of percentage.

On the 2nd possibility - since your premium tax credit is based on the 2nd-lowest cost silver plan, if that 2nd lowest cost silver plan goes down, your premium credit goes down dollar for dollar at the same income level, so the net price goes up dollar for dollar.

Is there new competition in your area? That's what happened with us - until 2021 there were only 2 silver plans available, so PTC was high for everyone in our county based on a high-end silver plan. Enter 3 or 4 new insurance companies, and suddenly there's competition at every price level, and PTC is substantially lower for everyone.

[geekette]

Premiums change as you age, as well.

Do spouses need to have the same plan? 

[ltt]

So the first point is obvious - baseline premiums go up every year usually. Depending on your family structure, that $200 increase might not even be all that much in terms of percentage.

On the 2nd possibility - since your premium tax credit is based on the 2nd-lowest cost silver plan, if that 2nd lowest cost silver plan goes down, your premium credit goes down dollar for dollar at the same income level, so the net price goes up dollar for dollar.

Is there new competition in your area? That's what happened with us - until 2021 there were only 2 silver plans available, so PTC was high for everyone in our county based on a high-end silver plan. Enter 3 or 4 new insurance companies, and suddenly there's competition at every price level, and PTC is substantially lower for everyone.

This is very good to know---well, not that it makes me feel better, but it explains things a little better--I think.

When I went in to look at the numbers, same plan as last year--a gold plan, I was shocked at the increase in premium price.  Yes, household income will be about $8-$10k higher next year, but the premium went up over $1,000 per month!  And, yes, the PTC went down around $900 and some dollars per month. There are two more insurers now writing in the zip code.

[boarder42]

Yeah I didn't pay attention to the silver plans 100% but I believe there was one silver plan creator last year maybe 2 and now it appears the cheapest plan creator is in both silver and bronze. 2400 bucks doesn't kill our plans by any stretch but I'd rather not pay it.

[Loren Ver]

I just started the poking around process (looking at silver plans).  The prices for us are similar to what they were at the second half of 2021.  This includes deductibles and out of pocket maxes.

Things that did change:

We got a third player in the market for the first time ever.  It has always been two, so that is interesting.  Maybe that is keeping prices down.

Our doctors seem to have more acceptance of the two major players of insurance.  Before it was very split, but now we actually have a choice (except for one specialist). 

I hope I didn't jinx it for when I actually buy!

LV

[boarder42]

I can still see 21 pricing and silver is down 100ish in 22 and bronze is up 100ish. So this would account for the 200 a month difference in plans per month for us since it's linear.

[jim555]

The subsidies hinge on the Second Lowest Cost Silver Plan.  If there is a new low cost plan it may lower the subsidies for everyone.

[boarder42]

It's not new same provider cheaper plan. Annoying.

[DaTrill]

What state?  I assume all states use different providers and prices? 

Is there a lot of turnover in programs with ACA? 

[secondcor521]

What state?  I assume all states use different providers and prices? 

Is there a lot of turnover in programs with ACA?

Correct, and it depends on the state, respectively.