IRS/ACA “Family Glitch” Ruling

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released a final ruling that reinterprets eligibility for the Individual Health Care Exchange/Your Health Idaho for family coverage tax subsidies. The original rule was sometimes referred to as the “Family Glitch”; this caused a gap in affordable family coverage for some. Families of certain incomes can now get subsidized coverage through the individual health care exchange, even though Bonneville School District already offers qualifying affordable coverage.

If the cost of your family medical coverage through Bonneville School District is more than 9.12% of your household income, using the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) premium chart below, you may qualify for a subsidy. The calculation is based on Bonneville’s High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with the Health Saving Account (HSA), due to being the lowest cost plan offering. Please see the chart under “Tools” below as a reference. The Individual Health Care Exchange/Your Health Idaho’s open enrollment is October 15^th through December 15^th for a January 1^st effective date. Now is an excellent time to review your coverage and determine if you may benefit from this new ruling.

If you would like assistance reviewing your options, you may reach out to Tyler Christensen at (208) 552 - 5802 or GBS of Idaho at (208) 529 - 3541. Tyler Christensen is a Your Health Idaho licensed representative and can help you determine if you qualify for a subsidy and for what amount.      

DEADLINES: 

December 15, 2022: Idaho Health Exchange Open Enrollment Closes.
January 1, 2023: Idaho Health Exchange Coverage Begins, If Eligible.
January 5, 2023: District 93 Insurance Changes Deadline.

TOOLS:

Your Health Idaho Prescreener
Family Glitch Calculation Reference Sheet 2024
D93 Employee Access Brochure
Employee Access Web Portal (OKTA): View your current district medical elections and tier coverage by visiting the Employee Web Portal >> My Benefits >> Current Benefits.

QUESTIONS?

Your Health Idaho Licensed Representative - Tyler Christensen / Phone: (208) 552 - 5802
GBS of Idaho (D93 Brokers Office) - Phone: (208) 529 - 3541 
D93 Benefits Office - Phone: (208) 525 - 4444 / Email: Benefits@d93.k12.id.us

D93 QUALIFYING LIFE EVENT CHANGES & PROCESS:

Due to the IRS update on the “Family Glitch” ruling, now is the time to remind you about regulations for requesting changes to your D93 insurance coverage outside the open enrollment period.

• If your family qualifies for the Individual Health Care Exchange/Marketplace coverage, please remember that employee coverage must continue under the district's policy due to the exchange being classified as individual coverage. 

You may request changes to your benefit elections if you experience a Qualifying Life Event. A qualifying life event allows you, a current benefited employee, to make changes outside the annual open enrollment period.  Qualifying Life Events must be requested, submitted, and processed within thirty (30) days of the event.

• A life event under the IRS “Family Glitch” ruling only allows you to modify your tier level to accommodate an eligible dependent (spouse or children), not switch plans during the process.
• Loss of Individual Health Exchange/Market coverage is NOT a qualifying event to return to the district’s insurance plan. You must wait until the Annual Open Enrollment Period if requesting to return due to loss of Individual Health Care Exchange/Marketplace coverage.
   

The following steps must be completed prior to January 5, 2023, to meet the January 20^th payroll deadline for benefit changes.

1. Submit a Life Event Form or email the HR Benefits Office. 

• Life Event Form
• Email: Benefits@d93.k12.id.us 

2. Check your email within twenty-four (24) business hours of completing the form. 

• You will receive additional emails regarding the supporting documentation required
• If your life event is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on completing the Employee Access Portal process. 
• Note: Employees who submit a Life Event form between December 16^th through January 3^rd will receive emails on January 4/5, 2023.