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With 2023 comes changes to employers’ health and welfare plans.

First, let’s look at what “family glitch” means. In general, family members are ineligible for Marketplace subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if another family member has access to affordable, job-based coverage. Until 2023, assessing the affordability of coverage was based on employee-only coverage, not family coverage. The new rules in 2023 establish affordability based on family coverage. For this year, if the amount for family coverage is more than 9.12% of household income, family members will have the option of buying health care through the Marketplace and may be eligible for premium tax credits based on their income. For employers, there are no updates or changes to attend to because of this change.

Additionally, the omnibus spending bill signed by President Biden on December 29, 2022, includes a provision to extend telehealth relief as a part of the CARES Act of 2020. The provision allows high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to cover pre-deductible telehealth sessions. The coverage may assist individuals reluctant to seek health care due to out-of-pocket expenses, including mental health care. The extension is in effect for another two years.

If you are wondering how your health and welfare plans compare to others in your industry, check out Employers Council’s 2022 Health, Welfare, and Retirement Survey. Depending on membership level, non-participants may need to purchase the results of the survey. If you want additional information or wish to purchase the survey, please contact the Surveys Department at surveys@employerscouncil.org.

If you have additional questions, please email the Employers Council Member Experience Team.