Report: More than 2 million ACA enrollees forgo eligible subsidies

More than two million people with coverage on the health insurance exchanges may be missing out on subsidies that could lower their deductibles, copayments and maximum out-of-pocket spending limits, according to a new analysis (Source: “Study: 2 Million Exchange Enrollees Miss Out On Cost-Sharing Assistance,” Kaiser Health News, Aug. 21, 2015).

The report by Avalere Health found that of the 8.1 million individuals enrolled in exchanges in 2015 who earn incomes that make them eligible for a subsidized cost-sharing reduction, only 5.9 million are actually receiving them.

Those who may be missing out are people with incomes between 100 and 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Under the health law, people at those income levels are eligible for cost-sharing reductions that can substantially reduce their out-of-pocket costs. But there’s a catch: the reductions are only available to people who buy a silver-level plan.