109,000 Iowans eligible for health insurance tax subsidies: Health and Human Services estimate

The uncertain future of the Affordable Care Act under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump isn't stopping people from signing up for insurance or the federal government from promoting the availability of tax subsidies.

In Iowa, more than 12,000 people have signed up for coverage in the first month of open enrollment - more than during the same time period last year, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Since 2013, about 42,500 Iowans who have purchased health insurance through HealthCare.gov - the online marketplace run by the federal government - have received tax credits to help pay for health insurance. But the federal government estimates that another 109,000 are eligible for subsidies and may not know it.

- About 2,000 Iowa consumers who bought insurance last year through Healthcare.gov but didn't get tax credits could be eligible in 2017 - even if their income remains the same.

- About 41,000 Iowans who pay full price for health insurance outside of the marketplace could be eligible for tax credits if they purchase a 2017 plan through HealthCare.gov instead.

- About 66,000 uninsured Iowans earn incomes indicating they could be eligible for financial assistance. Nationwide, 84 percent of Marketplace-eligible uninsured Americans have incomes suggesting they are tax credit eligible.

Tax credits are designed to keep pace with premium increases.

The deadline to sign up for coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2017, is Dec. 15.