Frequently Asked Questions about the American Rescue Plan

The expanded benefits lower health insurance premiums for plans purchased through MNsure.

The expanded benefits last through 2022. This could change if the U.S. Congress extends or makes the benefits permanent.

These new savings cannot be applied to stand-alone dental or catastrophic plans.

Yes. It is important that you always report changes to MNsure to make sure that you are receiving all the benefits you are eligible to receive.

The price of your monthly premiums will go down. Because you are already enrolled you do not have to do anything to receive these additional savings. Your premiums will be automatically adjusted by your insurance company and they will send you an updated invoice.

You will see an increase in your premium tax credit for all of 2021 and 2022. You will continue to receive your current amount of advanced premium tax credit (APTC) until MNsure recalculates the amount you are eligible to receive in spring, 2021. After your account is updated, you will see an increased APTC which will continue for the rest of the year. Your increased APTC benefit determination will be automatically sent to your insurance company. Your insurance company will adjust your monthly premium invoice.

When you file your federal taxes for 2021 you will receive an additional tax credit for the months before your account was updated with the increased advanced premium tax credit in 2021.

When your account is renewed for 2022, your APTC will continue to reflect the increases.

The American Rescue Plan increases your advanced premium tax credit (APTC) for both 2021 and 2022 in two ways.

First, you will receive an increase for those eligible for APTC. This change is unrelated to your eligibility for unemployment benefits. This is how you will receive this first increase:

• You will continue to receive your current amount of APTC until your APTC eligibility is recalculated in spring 2021. After your account is updated, your APTC will be increased and continue for the rest of the year. We will send your increased APTC amount to your insurance company. Your insurance company will adjust your monthly premium invoice.
• When you file your federal taxes for 2021 you will receive an additional tax credit for the months before your account was updated to reflect the increased premium tax credit in 2021.
• When your account is renewed for 2022, your APTC will continue to reflect the increases from this first change.

Second, you will receive another increase that is only available to people who are eligible for APTC and receive unemployment insurance benefits in 2021. This increase is only available for tax year 2021. This is how you will receive this increase:

• For the purposes of calculating the total amount of premium tax credits you are eligible for, the IRS will exclude any of your tax household’s income that exceeds 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL) for your family size. This will result in an additional premium tax credit amount from the IRS. (Learn more about the federal poverty guidelines based on family size.)

No, you would not be eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare. The American Rescue Plan did not change the rules for who is eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare in your situation.

You may now be eligible to receive a premium tax credit, which will lower the cost of your plan through MNsure. The American Rescue Plan removed the household income limit for tax credits in 2021 and 2022. You can get an eligibility estimate by using these estimator tools.

This summer, your eligibility for a tax credit will be automatically recalculated to determine if you are now eligible. After your account is updated you will be able to sign in to your account to see if you are eligible.

If you are eligible, we will automatically send an update to your insurance company letting them know how much advanced premium tax credit (APTC) you are now eligible to receive. Your insurance company will adjust your monthly premium invoice.

When you file your federal taxes for 2021 you will receive an additional tax credit for the months before your account was updated with the increased APTC.

When your eligibility is renewed for 2022, your APTC will continue to reflect the increases.

You may be eligible to receive a tax credit right now. You will need to reapply using the “with financial help” application. Call the MNsure Contact Center and we can help you with this process.

No, it has not changed. The affordability standard is still no more than 9.83% of your household income for tax year 2021.

The reduction in premiums are for months that you are enrolled in a private insurance plan through MNsure for tax years 2021 and 2022. This could change if the U.S. Congress extends or makes the benefits permanent.

You may qualify for cost-sharing reductions. Eligibility for these benefits are determined when you apply through MNsure.

No, the amount of your tax credit does not change based on the metal level you select.

Yes. You may be eligible to enroll through MNsure now to take advantage of the increased tax credit. If you are enrolled in health insurance through your employer, or have access to affordable insurance through your employer, you will not be eligible for tax credits.

Before you make any changes to your current health insurance – and to make sure you don’t end up with a gap in coverage – contact MNsure to understand your options first.

No. The expanded benefits are only available starting in the month you were first enrolled in a private health insurance plan through MNsure in 2021. You cannot receive a tax credit for the months you were not enrolled in a plan through MNsure in 2021.

The American Rescue Plan provides help with paying for COBRA coverage. 

Contact your employee benefits administrator or your employer’s human resources representative to find out how to elect continuation coverage, how much it will cost, how to pay premiums, and how to change health plans during open enrollment. 

For questions about federal continuation coverage (COBRA), contact the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration at 866-444-3272.

You may be eligible to still enroll in COBRA. Contact your former employer to find out your options. You can also contact the U.S. Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration at 1-866-444-3272.

Yes. When the federal COBRA subsidy ends, you would qualify for a special enrollment period through MNsure. You should contact MNsure before your COBRA subsidy ends to ensure you don’t have a gap in coverage.