What happens if a customer chooses to use less than 100% of their APTC?

Choosing to use less than 100% of the Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) can indeed impact a customer's financial planning. When a customer opts to utilize only a portion of their APTC, they may have higher out-of-pocket costs for their health insurance premiums, which can alter their budget and financial expectations for healthcare expenses throughout the year.

This decision does not affect their eligibility for tax refunds directly, nor does it incur a health coverage penalty or require repayment of an unused amount, as APTC is simply a subsidy to lower premium costs. The unused portion of the APTC does not accumulate or need to be returned to the government, which allows the customer to maintain flexibility in managing their finances. Therefore, the choice to use less than the full credit can play a significant role in how they plan financially for medical needs.