2022 Cost Assistance Obamacare

Everything You Need to Know About Obamacare Cost Assistance For 2022

We cover everything you need to know about cost assistance for 2022 health plans under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare).

In other words, here is everything you need to know about Premium Tax Credits, Cost Sharing Reduction Subsidies, Medicaid and CHIP, HSAs, and Medical Deductions for plans purchased during open enrollment 2022 all in one page.

TIP: Check out 2023 Obamacare cost assistance for 2023 health plans.

Types of Assistance

First off, the types of assistance offered under the Affordable Care Act are:

• Premium Tax Credits
• Cost-Sharing Reduction Subsidies (Silver Plans only)
• Medicaid Expansion and CHIP
• HSAs (Health Savings Accounts) and Medical Deductions

Next, the chart below offers a quick overview of ObamaCare’s cost assistance options by “MAGI” income for 2022.

NOTE: Medicaid/CHIP eligibility will be updated when the new Federal Poverty level data is published in early 2022.

TIP: Want to find out what you can save quickly, check out our Subsidy Calculator.

The 2021 Federal Poverty Guidelines Used in 2022

Below are the 2021 Federal Poverty Guidelines that went into effect in early 2021 (the ones you use for 2021 Medicaid/CHIP and for 2022 marketplace cost assistance).^[1]

These guidelines are the key to all cost assistance under the Affordable Care Act. Specifically, these guidelines are used for:

• Medicaid/CHIP between late Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 after the poverty level guidelines are published.
• 2022 marketplace cost assistance on all marketplace health plans held in 2022 and purchased during open enrollment for 2022 (which runs from November 1, 2021, to December 15, 2021).
• For special enrollment in 2022.
• For ACA taxes for the 2022 calendar year filed in 2023.

NOTE: Our federal poverty guideline list has the 100% poverty level, 138% Medicaid expansion threshold, the 250% CSR subsidy threshold, and the 400% premium tax credit thresholds so you can at a glance see what assistance you qualify for. Please note that for Medicaid Expansion if you make under 138% you qualify, for CSR it is between 100% – 250%, and for tax credits, it is between 100% and 400%. See details on subsidies under the ACA.

TIP: For mobile and smaller screen sizes, drag the table below to scroll and see the different poverty levels.

NOTE: Alaska and Hawaii use different guidelines (see this link to guidelines as published in the Federal Register).

FACT: The Federal Register notice for the 2021 Poverty Guidelines was published on February 1st, 2021.

Details on Each Assistance Type

Below are details on each type of cost assistance for 2020

Medicaid and CHIP

In all states that expanded Medicaid adults making below 138% of the poverty level qualify for Medicaid. Other states have unique eligibility. CHIP eligibility tends to be higher but differs by state.

You can sign up for Medicaid and CHIP 365 days a year.

You may qualify for free or low-cost care for Medicaid based on income and family size if you make 138% of the poverty level or, for example, $17,775 for an individual or $36,570 for a family of four for Jan 2021 – Jan 2022. Specifics may differ by state.

Contact your state Medicaid office or use the marketplace for details.

TIP: Starting in late Jan / early Feb each year new guidelines are published. After the new guidelines are published in 2022 you’ll use those for Medicaid and CHIP.

The Premium Tax Credit Subsidy Caps By Percentage of Household Income for SLCSP 2022

Premium tax credits are tax credits that can be taken in advance as Advanced Premium Tax Credits or at tax time as Premium Tax credits (or you can do a mix). Premium tax credits cap premium spending for a family based on MAGI income compared to the federal poverty level and are based on the cost of the second-lowest silver plan (SLCSP) in a state’s Marketplace. To qualify you must purchase a marketplace plan.

The chart below shows the minimum and maximum percentage of the household income that a person will pay for that plan. The amount you’ll pay is based on your household income (compared to the federal poverty level) and is adjusted based on the price of the plan chosen.

Here are the Premium Tax Credit Subsidy Caps for 2021 from Rev. Proc. 2021-23:

NOTE: For 2021 – 2022, Section 9661 of the American Rescue Plan caps marketplace health insurance premiums. Not only does it provide lower caps for those who get subsidies through cost assistance, but it also caps the premium that can be charged the benchmark plan at no more than 8.5% of household income. This means even without subsidies you won’t pay more than 8.5% of household income for a benchmark health plan.

NOTE: To qualify for tax credits you must make between 100% – 400% of the poverty level (FPL). If your state expanded Medicaid you will be eligible for Medicaid instead of tax credits below 133% (or 138% adjusted) FPL. However, please note, those who aren’t eligible for Medicaid expansion who are on unemployment can get marketplace assistance under the American Rescue Act.

Cost Sharing Reduction Subsidies 2022

Cost Sharing Reduction (CSR) subsidies reduce your out-of-pocket expenses on silver plans purchased through the health insurance marketplace for those with incomes between 100% – 250% of the poverty level.

CSR subsidies lower your coinsurance, and lower copays, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket costs you will pay in a policy period.

There are three levels of CSR subsidies: CSR 73, CSR 87, and CSR 94. The numbers refer to the actuarial value (AV). Benefits sheets will include different summaries for different CSR levels. Please note values may adjust each year.

Income Level Actuarial Value (the costs a Silver plan will cover due to cost-sharing reduction subsidies for % of the Poverty Level).

• 100-150% FPL = 94% Actuarial Value (CSR 94)
• 150-200% FPL = 87% Actuarial Value (CSR 87)
• 200-250% FPL = 73% Actuarial Value (CSR 73)
• More than 250% FPL = 70% Actuarial Value

NOTE: For more information see the 2022 Actuarial Value Calculator.

NOTE: Actuarial values are subject to change each year, the % numbers above may be adjusted before open enrollment.

Out-of-Pocket Maximums and Deductible Limits For 2022

Each year the ACA sets new limits for out-of-pocket maximums and deductibles. Here are the limits for 2022 plans for individuals and families.

• $8,700 for self-only coverage ($8,550 in 2021)
• $17,400 for family coverage ($17,100 in 2021)

NOTE: For 2022, your maximum deductible is the same as the out-of-pocket maximum.

NOTE: The individual limit applies to each individual in the plan. Thus, for 2022, even though the family limit is $17,400, no one member can occur more than $8,700 in covered expenses before the maximum is reached for that member.

NOTE: See Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022 for final levels.

Maximums and Deductibles on HSA-Eligible Plans in 2022

The maximum and deductible requirements for HSA qualifying plans are not the same as maximums and deductibles on health plans in general. Below are the HSA limits for 2022.

Minimum Deductible for HSA Eligibility 2022

• $1,400 for self-only coverage (no change from 2021)
• $2,800 for family coverage (no change from 2021)

NOTE: It is $2,800 for embedded individual deductible (no change from 2021)

NOTE: The minimum deductible, which is the minimum deductible your High Deductible Health Plan must have after cost assistance.

Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit for HSA Eligibility 2022

• $7,050 for self-only coverage ($50 increase from 2021)
• $14,100 for family coverage ($100 increase from 2021)

NOTE: The maximum out-of-pocket is the highest maximum a plan can have to qualify for an HSA.

TIP: The maximums are slightly lower on HSA compatible plans than they are in general on health plans. This has to do with the fact that the rates are raised by different mechanisms. The difference allows for non-HSA compatible high deductible plans. Thus, if you want an HSA, make sure your plan is “HSA Eligible.”

HSA Contribution Limit for 2022

• $3,650 for self-only coverage
• $7,300 for family coverage

NOTE: 55 plus can contribute an extra $1,000.

TIP: See Revenue Procedure 2021-25 for final HSA levels.

Medical Deductions 2022

For 2017 and 2018, medical expenses were deductible if they exceed 7.5 percent of your AGI (adjusted gross income). For 2019 forward, this threshold increased to 10 percent of your AGI. Thus, in 2022 the threshold is 10 percent of AGI.

1. notice 2021-01969. Federalregister.gov.