Subsidies based on income just became much more valuable – Trump’s health subsidy cuts may not hit local enrollment

The situation is the tax credit to reduce premiums paid by Obamacare enrollees was already shielding them from this year average 26.6% increase in Colorado. The fact that the average increase is now 32.6% is not relevant to those receiving the credits as the credits will rise to nullify the increase in plan prices.

HOWEVER, if you are not eligible for a tax credit, then you will feel the full force of the rate increase and as the article says, some counties in the eastern plains have much higher increases than 33%.

Despite the headline, the article points out exactly that…

Those who don’t qualify for tax credits or more affordable plans because of the cost-sharing reductions could see much higher premiums, Hanel said.

Some of these consumers bought plans directly through insurance companies before the Affordable Care Act and maintained that business relationship.

Out of the 435,000 people on the individual market statewide, 248,000 policyholders would face the premium increase, according to Colorado Health Institute. (emphasis added)

This is a much higher number not eligible for tax credits than I’ve seen elsewhere. I suspect Connect for Health Colorado doesn’t really have an interest in counting higher income enrollees that avoid their antiquated  website.