Idahoans who bought insurance for this year on the state exchange — YourHealthIdaho.org — got an average federal subsidy of $352.10 per month toward their premiums.
The average subsidy per person rose by nearly 29 percent nationwide from last year’s subsidy, according to a new report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Idaho’s subsidy rose by 33 percent, from $263.95 in 2016.
That’s based on data from people who signed up for 2017 health insurance plans — and who paid their premiums between January and June of this year. Many people signed up for 2017 plans but didn’t pay the premiums to start or maintain their insurance coverage.
Insurance exchange subsidies for people covered in the first half of 2017 | ||||
Where? | People enrolled | % with premium subsidy | % with out-of-pocket-cost subsidy | Average premium subsidy |
U.S. | 10,142,056 | 84% | 57% | $373.37 |
Idaho | 84,737 | 88% | 67% | $352.10 |
The average subsidy is likely to be much higher the next time CMS tallies its numbers. Subsidies for 2018 rose due to a federal funding cut that set in motion a subsidy-increasing chain reaction.
As a result of that chain reaction, some people in Idaho — even people in Boise who make $40,000 a year — can get a health insurance plan that is paid in full by federal subsidies.
The deadline to enroll in Your Health Idaho plans is this Friday, Dec. 15.
Audrey Dutton: 208-377-6448, @audreydutton