General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Well, I finally got to see the plans I qualify for on the federal exchange. [View all]lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)The exchange website is asking the poster of the OP to estimate his 2014 income.
It isn't in anyone's interest for him to fixate on the estimate which represents the worst possible case scenario. The whole point of the ACA was to get people who are in Skip Intro's position insured. The only reason he's in this quandary is because his governor elected to not accept federal money to expand medicare to people up to 138% of fpl. The ACA envisioned that some low income people might prefer private insurance, so it offers the option for people between 100% and 138% of FPL to take a tax credit subsidy. Subsidy or Medicaid? It's probably cheaper for us taxpayers to give the subsidy than it would be if Skip were to move to my state in which he'd be eligible for Medicaid.
In 2015, when doing his 2014 taxes (between then and now a great many things can happen, especially fixing the problem that was caused by the supreme court making medicaid expansion optional to each governor) he's obliged to accurately account for his income and pay the taxes consistent with the law as it exists at that time.
I say, think positive and plan on finding work in 2014 that lifts him above FPL and enter that into the exchange calculator. Or he could remain uninsured and get his care from the ER... for which we all pay.