Obamacare saves the day again!
A couple my husband and I have known since their college days just ran into a major problem. Both have significant health issues and just recently were approved for full disability. They were both on Medicaid and have been trying to catch up with their checkups. One pressing need is for the husband to have his eyes checked - he's been having trouble seeing clearly enough to read. He had an appointment this week for that checkup and my husband was going to give him a ride to the eye doctor.
We got a call this morning - they had gotten a notice that their Medicare was cancelled. BOOM! No coverage at all. They were in complete panic. Their medical bills would run in the tens of thousands of dollars a year if they didn't have coverage. They had no idea what to do on such short notice and they have no computer connected to the internet.
I spent a few minutes looking up contact information for them. Gave my husband the toll free numbers for HealthCare.gov and for the Florida managed care system. They called the first number and got coverage set up. Even though they only get about $1800 a month in disability - and I believe that is their only income - they will have to pay $115 a month for a silver package. They went for the higher quality plan to reduce their out of pocket expenses.
I'm sure part of the problem with their Medicaid coverage is Rick Scott's refusal to use the Medicaid expansion in the ACA. Since they vote Republican, I won't discuss health coverage with them but I told my husband he should mention it to them so they can think it over.
I'm really happy they can get healthcare. Without the ACA they would be completely uninsurable due to their health histories. I hope they appreciate that - and I hope the SCOTUS doesn't take away the help they are getting to pay their premiums. Without a subsidy, they would not be able to afford insurance at all!
