CMS is working to expand access to catastrophic health coverage in the Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE) and State-based Exchanges (SBE) through additional hardship exemption guidance. This was designed to help consumers access coverage because of the premium increases anticipated for the 2026 plan year.
Pennsylvania already has exemptions processed by CMS and is still evaluating the guidance. Currently, customers who have a hardship exemption under the rules can enter their hardship exemption number in their Pennie application to access catastrophic plans so no system changes will be needed. As a note Advance Premium Tax Credits do not apply to catastrophic plans so although the guidance links consumers to information referencing customers above 250% of FPL being able to receive an exemption, they are still ineligible for Cost Sharing Reductions.