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How will the ACA affect Our Local retired fire fighters? In York County. As a direct result of our Local Union and only our Local Union, York County pays 50% of our members Health Care Cost After Retirement. Without such a benefit, our members must use more than half their retirement payment to pay for their Health Care. However, since we now have the ACA, our members can move into the market, get the same plan, and since their monthly premium is based on their current income (Retired). They pay 50% LESS than locality plans. In some cases, they save even more. IAFF Local 2498 has several of our Retirees on the ACA. One of the most important benefits of the ACA is that it protects our members from denial because of a pre-existing condition. In our profession, this is extremely important and can prevent financial devastation for our members and retired members. We stand strong with our International in protecting the ACA, while lobbying to make the changes needed to better serve our members…. Please take a moment to educate yourselves and your family members on the importance of the ACA. Retirees under 65 who do not have access or can’t afford to maintain their current coverage will have a new option to obtain coverage through the exchanges. The IAFF has long advocated for a way our retired members can access quality and affordable healthcare, and the exchanges might provide that avenue. Affiliates should determine whether this aspect of the ACA would benefit their retirees. Upon retirement, if you choose to access an exchange for coverage, the federal government may provide you with tax subsidies to assist in purchasing your health insurance. These subsidies are available to individuals and families who are earning 100-400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). If you do not qualify for these subsidies, the exchanges will still offer insurance options. To better understand the exchanges, subsidies and plans offered within, use this helpful “subsidy calculator” created by the Kaiser Family Foundation to find out what subsidies, if any, would be offered at various income levels. The ACA offers another option for some pre-Medicare eligible retirees by expanding access to Medicaid. Starting in 2014, individuals under 65 with an income at or below 133% of the FPL are eligible for Medicaid, in the 26 or so states that chose to participate in the Medicaid expansion. In every state, individuals without children or disabilities are now guaranteed coverage without the need for a waiver. Go to the Medicaid.govwebsite to learn how the new Medicaid improvements work. Many long-time retirees whose pensions do not have cost of living escalators may benefit from this provision. Affiliates should determine if this option is appropriate for any of their current or former members. Will retirees be eligible for subsidies to make health insurance more affordable? Beginning in 2014, tax credits are available to U.S. citizens who purchase coverage in the new health insurance exchanges and who have income up to 400% of the FPL ($45,960 for an individual or $94,200 for a family of four in 2013). To be eligible for the premium tax credits, individuals must not be eligible for public coverage — including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, Medicare, or military coverage—and must not have access to health insurance through an employer. (There is an exception in cases when the employer plan does not cover at least 60% of covered benefits on average or the employee share of the premium exceeds 9.5% of the employee's income.) The premium tax credits are available when an individual purchases coverage and will be available regardless of whether an individual owes any taxes. The premium tax credits vary with income and are structured so that the premium an individual or family will have to pay will not exceed a specified percentage of income, ranging from 2% for those with incomes up to 133% of the FPL (about $15,281 for an individual) to 9.5% for those with incomes between 300% and 400% of the FPL ($34,470 to $45,960 for an individual). The calculator below will help you estimate—based on income level, age, family size, and other factors—your eligibility for subsidies and how much you could spend on health insurance. (Note: This calculator is meant only to provide an estimate. Since premiums and eligibility requirements vary, you should contact your state’s Medicaid office or exchange to get a more accurate picture of what you should expect.) kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/ Does the ACA Cut Medicare benefits? Medicare's guaranteed benefits will not be cut, but the reimbursement rates paid to health care providers for some services will be reduced. Any Medicare savings will be used to extend the solvency of the Medicare trust fund, reduce Medicare premiums and cost-sharing, improve or expand guaranteed Medicare benefits, or preserve access to service providers. Will the ACA phase out Medicare’s Part D “Donut Hole”? In 2013, the federal government began picking up larger and larger portions of the cost of both brand name and generic medications and will do so each year, until the coverage gap is finally phased out in 2020. Who will be eligible for Medicaid? Beginning in 2014, Medicaid programs (which provide health coverage to low-income Americans) in the 26 or so states which chose to expand Medicaid began to cover all individuals under age 65 with incomes up to 133% of the FPL ($15,281 for an individual or $31,321 for a family of four in 2013). The ACA was intended to create a uniform Medicaid eligibility level and income definition across all states and eliminate a prohibition that prevented states from providing Medicaid coverage to adults without dependent children except under a waiver of federal rules. However, under the 2012 U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the ACA, each state is allowed to decide whether or not to participate in Medicaid expansion. If you have additional questions. Please give me a call In Unity Don Manage MEDICAID.GOV Medicaid Home | Medicaid.gov