Washington exchange miscalculates subsidies for 8,000 people

system error in Washington state's Healthplanfinder miscalculated tax credits for about 8,000 people who enrolled for health insurance through the online marketplace.

People were told that they were getting bigger tax credits than they were actually eligible for based on their income. The problem affected about 10 percent of customers enrolled, state officials indicated.

“The exchange is very disappointed to have discovered this issue,” said exchange CEO Richard Onizuka in a statement issued Friday. “We find the situation unacceptable. Our staff will not stop working until we have notified all those affected and helped each and every one of our customers to ensure they have the correct tax credit amount and can choose the best plan to meet their needs and budget. “

The state was calculating tax credits differently from the way the federal government did.

“This issue does not affect people’s eligibility determinations for the more than 40,000 Medicaid eligible applicants and individuals buying plans without premium tax credits – close to 90 percent of customers currently enrolled in health coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder,” Onizuka said.

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/health-care-inc/2013/10/about-that-tax-credit-washington.html?ana=e_ptl_hc