State and Federal Subsidies for California in 2020

Health insurance consumers in California may be eligible for both federal and state subsidies in 2020. Federal subsidies have been available since the beginning of the Affordable Care Act in 2013. However, starting January 1, 2020, there will also be additional money for discounts on health insurance premiums funded through the State of California.

This is possible for consumers who are between 200% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

From 0 to 138% of FPL, legal residents and US Citizens in California will either get federal subsidies through Medi-Cal (the Medicaid program for California) or they may qualify for state subsidies through Covered California if they are ineligible for Medi-Cal.

Those over 400% of FPL do not qualify for federal subsidies. However, starting in 2020 in California, those between 400% and 600% of FPL may qualify for state subsidies. For example, for a household at 500% of FPL, the subsidy kicks in at 16% of your income; if your health insurance premiums are over 16% of income, then the state of California will cover any additional costs through up-front subsidies.

You may qualify for state and/or federal subsidies based on where you land with regard to the Federal Poverty Level:

• 0%-138% → Federal or State Subsidies Available
• 138% – 200% → Federal Subsidies Available
• 200% – 400% → Federal and State Subsidies Available
• 400% – 600% → State Subsidies Available

Peter Lee stressed in a webinar on Monday that state subsidies are only available to those who enroll through Covered California.

All health insurance subsidies will be reconciled at tax time the following year. For 2020 health care coverage, subsidy reconciliation will occur at tax time in 2021. Any consumer who received more subsidy than they should have, will have to pay back the extra subsidy amount on their federal and/or state taxes. Any consumer who received less subsidy than they should have, will get a credit on their federal and/or state taxes.

Peter Lee and his constituents at Covered California are hoping that legislators in Washington DC take note of the changes that are happening with health care in California. The increased subsidies last until 2022. They are hoping that by that point Congress will have made moves to follow in the footsteps of California.