Proposed Rule Addresses the Family Glitch in Marketplace Plans

The Biden-Harris Administration is proposing a rule to fix the ACA’s “family glitch.” Under the ACA, people who don’t have access to affordable health insurance at work may qualify for a premium tax credit to purchase coverage on the ACA’s health insurance marketplaces. Employer-based health insurance is considered affordable if the employee’s coverage is affordable. The affordability of coverage for family members is not taken into consideration. 

If the proposed rule is finalized, family members of workers who are offered affordable self-only coverage, but unaffordable family coverage may qualify for premium tax credits to buy ACA coverage. It’s estimated that 200,000 uninsured people would gain coverage, and nearly 1 million Americans would see their coverage become more affordable.