{
  "id": "R43945",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "R43945",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 439252,
      "date": "2015-03-18",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-06T22:47:27.414394",
      "title": "Health Insurance Premium Credits in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2015",
      "summary": "New federal tax credits, authorized under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended), first became available in 2014 to help certain individuals pay for health insurance. The tax credits apply toward premiums for private health plans offered through exchanges (also referred to as health insurance marketplaces). The ACA also established subsidies to reduce cost-sharing expenses.\nHealth insurance exchanges operate in every state and the District of Columbia (DC), per the ACA statute. Exchanges may be established and administered by states, the federal government, or a combination of both. Exchanges are not insurers, but they provide eligible individuals and small businesses with access to private health insurance plans. Generally, plans offered through the exchanges provide a comprehensive set of health services and meet all of the ACA\u2019s insurance market reforms, as applicable. \nThe new premium credits established under the ACA are advanceable and refundable, meaning tax filers need not wait until the end of the tax year to benefit from the credit and may claim the full credit amount even if they have little or no federal income tax liability. Premium tax credits generally are available to individuals who enroll in an exchange plan; are part of a tax-filing unit; have household income between specified amounts; are not eligible for other forms of comprehensive health coverage; and are U.S. citizens or lawfully present residents. This report provides examples of hypothetical individuals and families that qualify for the premium credits. The examples use actual 2015 exchange premiums.\nThe amounts received in premium credits are based on federal income tax returns. These amounts are reconciled after individuals file their returns and can result in overpayment of premium credits if income increases, which must be repaid to the federal government. The ACA limits the amount of required repayments for lower-income enrollees. \nIn addition to premium credits, the ACA authorized new cost-sharing subsidies. Certain premium credit recipients also are eligible for reductions in their annual cost-sharing limits. Moreover, certain low-income individuals receive additional subsidies in the form of reduced cost-sharing requirements (e.g., lower deductibles).",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
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      "topics": []
    }
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  "topics": []
}