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Health-insurance rules are shifting in multiple directions: new employer-options, public-program tweaks, subsidy changes, and expanded digital-care access. At the Franco Suarez Agency, we stay on top of these developments so you don’t have to—and we translate them into actionable financial strategies. Let’s walk through the biggest changes and how they affect your coverage and wealth-building path.

Introduction of ICHRA 

(Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement)

• An employer offering an ICHRA reimburses employees tax-free for individual-market insurance premiums (rather than offering a group plan). This gives more flexibility to employees, but also interacts with subsidy eligibility. PeopleKeep+1

• Key point: If you accept the ICHRA reimbursement, you may be disqualified from premium tax credits (subsidies) in the individual market. Your choice matters. PeopleKeep+1

• For employers, the ICHRA remains compelling even if individual-market premiums rise—but for employees, you must evaluate: is the employer allowance enough? Will you lose subsidies? What will your net costs be?

• At Franco Suarez Agency, we’ll help you run those numbers: employer allowance + subsidy (if eligible) + out-of-pocket = net cost. That feeds into your cash-flow, debt-reduction and retirement strategy.

Changes to Medicaid & CHIP

• The 2025 federal Budget Reconciliation Act includes sweeping changes to eligibility, enrollment and cost-sharing for the public programs KFF+1

• Examples: Some lawfully present immigrants may lose eligibility for Medicaid/CHIP under certain rules beginning October 1, 2026. Center For Children and Families

• States will face cost shifts. Over the next decade, federal Medicaid/CHIP spending is estimated to be cut by about $990 billion under the law. Center For Children and Families

• Implication: If you or a family member rely on Medicaid/CHIP, now is the time to be proactive—changes may affect coverage, cost-sharing, verification and renewals.

• At Franco Suarez Agency, we monitor these public-program changes and help you evaluate whether rolling into a Marketplace plan might make sense—or whether you need to plan for transitions.

Premium Subsidies in the Marketplace

• The enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs) that made many plans highly affordable were enacted under the American Rescue Plan Act and extended under the Inflation Reduction Act through the end of 2025. Commonwealth Fund+1

• If not extended or changed, individuals could see their share of premiums rise. For example: an individual earning ~$28,000 could pay only ~1% of income under enhanced credits; without them it might rise to ~6%. KFF

• Planning tip: We’ll help you estimate your subsidy eligibility and simulate scenarios where credits are reduced. That way you aren’t blindsided, and you can incorporate health-insurance cost into your budget, manage debt, and preserve retirement savings.

Telehealth & Mental Health Coverage

• During the COVID era, many flexibilities were introduced for telehealth. Some remain in place; others are changing. CMS+1

• For example: As of September 30, 2025 many non-behavioral telehealth flexibilities (originating-site/home delivery, audio-only services) for Medicare were set to expire. Baker Donelson+1

• For behavioral/mental-health services: Medicare patients may receive telehealth at home; geographic restrictions and in-person prerequisites have been eased in some cases. telehealth.hhs.gov+1

• Why it matters: If you rely on telehealth for convenience, rural access, or mental-health care, you need to check your plan’s network, service coverage, audio vs video options, and any in-person visit requirements now or in future.

• We at Franco Suarez Agency will review with you: “Does my plan cover telehealth? What about mental-health care? What about audio-only? What if I live in a rural area or travel frequently?” We integrate that into your total health-cost strategy.

How FSAs and Your Health Plan Tie into Wealth-Building

• A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) aren’t just nice add-ons — they are tools to reduce out-of-pocket costs, manage debt (less medical debt = better financial health), and free up capital for long-term savings.

• At Franco Suarez Agency we help you calculate the optimal FSA/HSA contributions given your plan (deductible, out-of-pocket max), expected health expenses, and your broader financial goals (retirement, paying down debt).

• Example: If you expect certain expenses (prescriptions, specialist visits, mental-health sessions, telehealth) you can plan your FSA/HSA contributions to maximize tax advantage and reduce the burden on your cash-flow. The health plan becomes part of your financial plan, not just a monthly premium.

• We also help you track and use those funds effectively (so you don’t lose them), monitor changes (that might raise your out-of-pocket costs), and plan ahead for next year’s enrollment.

Action Steps

1. Review your employment situation: Does your employer offer an ICHRA? If so, schedule a meeting to evaluate the allowance vs subsidy eligibility.

2. Check public-program status: If you or a family member are on Medicaid/CHIP, check whether your state is impacted by eligibility/verification changes and plan accordingly.

3. Estimate subsidy scenarios: Even if subsidies remain, model your costs assuming they decline—so you’re prepared.

4. Audit your telehealth/mental-health coverage: What does your current or prospective plan cover? What restrictions or in-person requirements apply?

5. Use FSA/HSA strategically: Let us help you map out contributions, expected health usage, and how this ties into your debt/retirement plan.

6. Schedule your coverage review with us: We’ll help you integrate all the above into a cohesive health-cost + wealth-building strategy.

Closing

The landscape of health coverage is shifting. New employer-options like ICHRA, evolving public-program rules for Medicaid/CHIP, potential subsidy changes, and telehealth coverage adjustments all mean that “just picking a plan” is no longer enough. At Franco Suarez Agency, we don’t just help you pick a plan — we help you design a health-insurance strategy that protects your well-being and supports your financial future. Let’s work together to lock in the right coverage, manage expenses, reduce debt and build toward retirement.

Starting January 1, 2026, about 10 million more Americans will become eligible to open Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—thanks to new rule changes in the tax bill signed into law this July.

For years, HSAs were limited to individuals with high-deductible health insurance plans—mostly through employer coverage. But the new law broadens access to include people enrolled in certain Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans and other healthcare structures that were previously excluded.

This is the first major expansion since HSAs were introduced in 2003, and it could change the way millions of Americans manage medical costs and save for retirement.

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What Makes HSAs So Powerful?

HSAs offer a triple tax advantage:

1. Contributions are tax-free (or deductible if you contribute directly).

2. Earnings grow tax-deferred.

3. Withdrawals for qualified healthcare expenses are tax-free.

Even better—if you don’t use the funds for healthcare, the balance can continue growing like a 401(k), 

creating an extra cushion for medical expenses in retirement.

According to Kevin Robertson, Chief Growth Officer for HSA Bank, 

the average person will need between $150,000 and $250,000 for healthcare in retirement. 

“HSAs are the most powerful way to pay for those expenses because of their tax advantages,” he says.

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How HSAs Work for You

If your employer offers an HSA-eligible plan, you can make pretax contributions directly from your paycheck. Self-employed or marketplace enrollees can open an HSA through a financial institution and deduct their contributions when filing taxes.

Funds can be used to pay for a wide range of expenses—from doctor visits and prescriptions to dental, vision, and even some over-the-counter products.

And starting in 2026, more plans will qualify, giving millions more Americans the chance to build tax-free healthcare savings while preparing for long-term security.

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Takeaway

This expansion of HSAs is a major win for taxpayers and families managing healthcare costs. Whether you’re an employee, a business owner, or enrolled through the ACA marketplace, now is the time to 

plan ahead and take advantage of these new savings opportunities.

At The Franco Suarez Agency, we can help you understand how HSAs fit into your retirement, health, and tax planning strategy—so you can keep more of your money working for your future.