How are subsidies calculated? | Blue Shield of CA (2024)

The amount of premium helpyou can qualify for is determined by a sliding scale that depends on:

  • Age and geographic region
  • Household income and size, and
  • The cost of affordable healthcare coverage in your geographic region

Age and geographic region

Premiums are calculated based on age and geographic region. For example, someone age 55 or older will pay a higher premium than someone under the age of 40.Additionally, someone age 55may pay a lower premiumin Northern California than they would in Southern California. Financial help may be available for consumers whose monthly premiums for coverage are more costly.

Income, household size and affordable coverage

Under the Affordable Care Act, eligibility for subsidized health insurance is calculated using a household’sModified Adjusted Gross Income(MAGI). You are expected to pay a premium contribution limit (a percentage of your annual income) for healthcare coverage. Each income level has a set premium contribution limit per number of household membersas noted in thelast row of the FPL table below.

Effective March 2023

ANNUAL INCOME
HOUSEHOLD SIZE1400% OFFPL AND ABOVE300% OFFPL200% OFFPLUP TO 150% OF FPL
Individual$54,360$40,770$27,180$0 - $20,385
Couple/2 people$73,240$54,930$36,620$0 - $27,465
Family of 4$111,000$83,250$55,500$0 - $41,625
Premium contribution level3Up to 8.5% of incomeUp to 6% of incomeUp to 2% of income$1/month

Source:Program Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level for 2023(PDF, 263 KB)
1Based on number of people reported on your tax return
2Based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)
3How much you’re expected to contribute toward premium cost should not exceed this limit.


To calculate subsidy eligibility and amount, Covered California uses the second-lowest cost Silver (SLS) plan in your region, across all carriers, as the benchmark plan for “affordable coverage”. If the premium for the SLS benchmark plan exceeds your premium contribution limit for your income level, you may qualify for premium helpbecause the benchmark plan is considered “not affordable”. This does not mean you are required to purchase the second-lowest cost Silver plan in your region. It’s just used as a benchmark for determining affordable coverage and available subsidy amount. You can use your subsidy to purchase any metal tier plan that fits your needs.

Looking at the examples below, taking household size, income, and cost of affordable coverage into consideration, you can see a difference in subsidy eligibility comparing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) baseline to the expanded federally funded subsidies.

Here are a couple of examples:

Example A:Erin and Francis

Ages: 62
Region: Live in a higher-cost region
Annual Income: $77,817
FPL: 425%
Expected contribution toward premium cost: 8.5% of income

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT BASELINEEXPANDEDFEDERALLYFUNDED SUBSIDIES
Monthly Premium (SLS benchmark)$2,414$2,414
Federal Premium Subsidy (Advanced Premium Tax Credit)$0 not eligible because above 400%FPL$1,863
Net Premium$2,414$551
Net Premium Income Share37.2%8.5%

Example B:Jones Family

Ages:40, 45, 12, and 18
Region:Live in a lower-cost region
Annual Income:$166,500
FPL:600%
Expected contribution toward premium cost:8.5% of income

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT BASELINEEXPANDED FEDERALLY
FUNDED SUBSIDIES
Monthly Premium (SLS benchmark)$1,316$1,316
Federal Premium Subsidy (Advanced Premium Tax Credit)$0 not eligible because above 400%FPL$137
Net Premium$1,316$1,179
Net Premium Income Share9.49%8.5%

Source:Program Eligibility by Federal Poverty Level for 2023(PDF, 263 KB)
1 Based on number of people reported on your tax return

How are subsidies calculated? | Blue Shield of CA (2024)

FAQs

How are subsidies calculated? | Blue Shield of CA? ›

Income, household size and affordable coverage

What is the cut off for Covered California subsidies? ›

Household Income Ranges by Federal Poverty Level (2022)
Household Size*Less than 200%300% – 400%
1$0 - $25,760$38,640 - $51,520
2$0 - $34,840$52,260 - $69,680
3$0 - $43,920$65,880 - $87,840
4$0 - $53,000$79,500 - $106,000

How to calculate subsidies for Obamacare? ›

Calculating your subsidies
  1. Compare your income to the federal poverty level. You'll start by figuring out how much you earn compared to the federal poverty level. ...
  2. Determine the most you'll pay for insurance. ...
  3. Find out the cost of a benchmark Silver plan. ...
  4. Subtract how much you're expected to pay from the benchmark rate.
Jan 2, 2024

What is the income limit for ACA subsidies in 2024? ›

In 2024, an individual in a one-person household is eligible for some degree of Covered California subsidies if they earn up to $33,975 Meanwhile, that limit rises to $69,375 for a household size of 4. These numbers refer to your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) as found on line 11 of your Form 1040.

What happens if I underestimate my income for Obamacare in 2024? ›

Repayment of Benefits: You may be required to repay the benefits you received while your income was inaccurately reported. This repayment can be a substantial financial burden, especially if the unreported income period is extensive.

How much income is too much for Covered California? ›

According to Covered California income guidelines and salary restrictions, if an individual makes less than $47,520 per year or if a family of four earns wages less than $97,200 per year, then they qualify for government assistance based on their income.

Do you have to pay back Covered California subsidies? ›

If you received too much money throughout the year, you may have to pay some back. On the other hand, if you received too little or didn't take your tax credits in advance, you'll get money back.

What is the formula for the subsidy? ›

The subsidy is the vertical distance between the seller's price and the buyer's price, as shown in Figure 2.15. The welfare analysis of the subsidy compares the initial market equilibrium with the post-subsidy equilibrium. ΔCS = + C + D + E, ΔPS = + A + B, ΔG = – A – B – C – D – E – F, ΔSW = – F, and DWL = F.

How is a subsidy calculated? ›

Under the Affordable Care Act, eligibility for subsidized health insurance is calculated using a household's Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). You are expected to pay a premium contribution limit (a percentage of your annual income) for healthcare coverage.

How to maximize Obamacare subsidy? ›

So, retirees looking to get subsidies in 2023 and beyond may need to cap their tax-reportable income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level for their household size. The gist of optimizing ACA subsidies is this: retirees don't have to be poor; they just need to have low income on their tax return.

What is the highest income to qualify for Obamacare? ›

The income range is $30,000 to $120,000 in 2024 for a family of four. (Income limits may be higher in Alaska and Hawaii because the federal poverty level is higher in those states.) The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 also extended subsidy eligibility to some people earning more than 400% of the federal poverty level.

What disqualifies you from the premium tax credit? ›

An offer of employer-sponsored coverage generally makes an employee ineligible for a premium tax credit. The exception is if the employer-sponsored coverage is unaffordable or fails to meet the minimum value standard.

Does social security count as income for Covered California? ›

According to Covered California's official guidelines, “Your Modified Adjusted Gross Income is your Adjusted Gross Income (found on your tax return) plus any tax-exempt Social Security, tax-exempt interest, and tax-exempt foreign income you have.”

What happens to my Obamacare when I turn 65? ›

Your Marketplace coverage will not be cancelled automatically by your plan when you turn 65 and sign up for Medicare, but if you receive premium tax credits to help you pay for your Marketplace plan premium, your eligibility for these tax credits will end when your Medicare Part A coverage starts (people with Medicare ...

Do I have to pay back the tax credit for health insurance? ›

If you used more premium tax credit than you qualify for, you'll pay the difference with your federal taxes. If you used less, you'll get the difference as a credit. Refer to glossary for more details.

Does healthcare.gov verify income? ›

The Marketplace will check if your annual household income matches the most recent data from our data sources. This will happen even if you didn't update your income. You may be asked if: ∎ You stopped working, worked fewer hours, or changed jobs since last year.

What is the cutoff for California inflation relief? ›

Identification: You must have used an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) when filing your taxes. Income Limits: Your total California Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) must not exceed $75,000.

Who is not eligible for Covered California? ›

Who is Eligible for Covered California? All U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and noncitizens lawfully present in California may apply for health care through Covered California. Who is Not Eligible for Covered California? If you are not lawfully present in California, you are not eligible for a Covered California plan.

What is the income limit for Medi-Cal 2024? ›

EWC 2024 Income Eligibility Guidelines
Number of Persons in Family/HouseholdMonthly Gross Household IncomeAnnual Gross Household Income
1$2,510$30,120
2$3,407$40,880
3$4,303$51,640
4$5,200$62,400
5 more rows
Mar 8, 2024

What happens if my income decreases while on Covered California? ›

If income drops during the year

You may qualify for a more subsidy or even qualify for any subsidy if you were right on the income 400% level. It's best to keep this information as current and accurate as possible to protect yourself.

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