© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Some Michiganders may fall victim to the Affordable Care Act's 'Family Glitch'

Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio

On Tuesday, tens of thousands of Michiganders can start signing up for new health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

But some may find they fall victim to what’s being called the ‘Family Glitch’.

The Affordable Care Act provides subsidies for families to get health insurance if an employer doesn’t provide adequate health insurance coverage.

But no subsidy is available if an employer does provide adequate coverage to an employee, but not to the employee’s family.  That’s the ‘Family Glitch.”

The glitch could wind up costing some families thousands of dollars.

Don Hazaert is with Michigan Consumers for Healthcare, which received a federal grant to help people sign up for Obamacare.

“This was a drafting error,” says Hazaert, “It was not intentional. Hopefully at some point in the not too distinct future, we can set partisan politics aside and get that drafting error corrected.”

Hazaert says the ‘Family Glitch’ only affects a small percentage of Michigan households.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
Related Content