General Discussion

Yo_Mama

(8,303 posts)

38. I am not sure whether you can get a subsidy.

Sat Oct 19, 2013, 09:06 PM

Oct 2013

Based on income you probably can. However it gets a bit complicated with your husband and you filing separately, and then if your husband is covered through work the family is generally ineligible for subsidies.

Try to do it through the exchange and see if you get a different result.

You won't have to pay a fine, though.

You can use this new page at Healthcare.gov to see insurance plans and premiums on the exchange in your area without the registration requirement. It also provides some basic information about incomes and subsidies.
https://www.healthcare.gov/find-premium-estimates/

There is a complicating factor with the filing separately issue, about which I have read varying stories.

You could also try calling a Navigator group and see if they can give you help.

Also try ValuePenguin to find more information - some of the insurance sites have very good calculators.
http://www.valuepenguin.com/

Update:
As a married person filing separately, my understanding is that you are not allowed to get a subsidy on the exchange even if you otherwise qualify and your spouse is not covered through work:
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/05/your-money/estimating-income-and-other-questions-on-the-health-care-plan.html?_r=0

I've read this in several places.

Can you get your husband to file jointly for 2013?

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OK, I am now fairly freaked out about the ACA and the insurance exchanges. [View all] renie408 Oct 2013 OP

Doesn't sound right. They don't give something to someone who makes more than you and okaawhatever Oct 2013 #1

I don't qualify for Medicare in NC because if you make more than like $3 a month, renie408 Oct 2013 #4

Did your state take the money for medicaid expansion? Mojorabbit Oct 2013 #44

NC did not expand MedicAID and that is why renie408 Oct 2013 #46

It is known problem with the ACA in those states without the Medicaid expansion. SharonAnn Oct 2013 #50

It is not a problem with the ACA - Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #63

did you run the numbers including your hubby and his income? n/t NMDemDist2 Oct 2013 #2

It doesn't sound right. I would keep trying healthcare.gov during the off hours, late at night. NYC_SKP Oct 2013 #3

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2013 #5

Unless they are counting your husband's income Warpy Oct 2013 #6

You are associated with states that didn't adopt the Medicaid extension HereSince1628 Oct 2013 #7

Right. Maybe people will realize eventually how much their Republican governors are enough Oct 2013 #34

I bet you are eligible for sizable subsidies at that income, and family size. Hoyt Oct 2013 #8

I used an JanMichael Oct 2013 #9

This message was self-deleted by its author pa28 Oct 2013 #10

NC killed Medicaid expansion so that may well be true. bullimiami Oct 2013 #11

I might have to fudge my income for 2014, then. renie408 Oct 2013 #15

Ok. something is wrong with the calculator. renie408 Oct 2013 #12

I think the problem lies with the income being below poverty level. Since the exchange okaawhatever Oct 2013 #24

I assume you live in a state which didn't expand medicaid. lumberjack_jeff Oct 2013 #67

The federal poverty level for 2013 family of 3 is 19,530. Warren Stupidity Oct 2013 #13

We don't have to pay for the house we are living in... renie408 Oct 2013 #20

Well, when we say poverty level, they are using percentages of poverty level & okaawhatever Oct 2013 #28

it's down this weekend for maintenence notadmblnd Oct 2013 #21

and be sure you are using Adjusted Gross Income VanillaRhapsody Oct 2013 #14

"Modified adjusted gross income" Barack_America Oct 2013 #17

true.. VanillaRhapsody Oct 2013 #31

If you need more income madville Oct 2013 #16

Message auto-removed Name removed Oct 2013 #19

If the system doesn't work madville Oct 2013 #25

I actually low balled the income because we moved to a new farm this year and renie408 Oct 2013 #22

No, no, DO declare that for 2013! Barack_America Oct 2013 #30

OH! Well, problem solved...LOL renie408 Oct 2013 #33

Check the calculator again. enlightenment Oct 2013 #18

Funny I did it with your figures and came up with free insurance grantcart Oct 2013 #23

I actually put in $18,000 the first time and that's when it came back renie408 Oct 2013 #27

Please stop using the term "Medicare". llmart Oct 2013 #37

I am sorry, I always get those backwards. renie408 Oct 2013 #40

This message was self-deleted by its author stevenleser Oct 2013 #26

Do your kids work at all? Summer jobs? If so, add in their income... Barack_America Oct 2013 #29

Is the $20,000 per year your entire family income? enough Oct 2013 #32

I should probably check all this out more thoroughly before I try to apply. renie408 Oct 2013 #35

You don't add your husband if he files separately. Barack_America Oct 2013 #39

Ok, thanks! renie408 Oct 2013 #42

I don't think married filing separately couples get a subsidy at all Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #43

Ugh. Looks like you are correct. renie408 Oct 2013 #45

No, you would have to file jointly for 2013 to receive the 2014 tax credit, I think Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #47

Yes, that's the way I understand it too. It's about HOUSEHOLD SoCalDem Oct 2013 #55

And it only has to be affordable for the husband. Barack_America Oct 2013 #60

Drat. Wow, the government should be setting up H&R block type offices everywhere... Barack_America Oct 2013 #48

It is complex, and we don't have a lot of time to figure it out. Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #49

Right, she can't get a credit unless they file jointly... PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #57

She has to add her husband to her household income. You missed this right above PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #56

No, the site states otherwise. Barack_America Oct 2013 #59

Does your husband have health insurance at his job? PoliticAverse Oct 2013 #36

Let's hope not. Shandris Oct 2013 #53

Is the premium more than 9.5%? Chellee Oct 2013 #58

9.5% only applies to the employee. There's no cap on dependent cost. Barack_America Oct 2013 #61

I didn't know that subprovision... Shandris Oct 2013 #68

I am not sure whether you can get a subsidy. Yo_Mama Oct 2013 #38

Thank you! renie408 Oct 2013 #41

Im going to wait until the last minute to get freaked out. panader0 Oct 2013 #51

I'm pretty sure Arizona went ahead with Medicaid expansion. Schema Thing Oct 2013 #52

***Try this link*** It is much better than Kaiser. Lex Oct 2013 #54

You do know Ms. Toad Oct 2013 #62

Mine showed 353/mo. Until I did the final enroll. Showed subsidies, $0/mo The Straight Story Oct 2013 #64

I just used it and the Kaiser site aznativ Oct 2013 #65

A suggestion. dairydog91 Oct 2013 #66

I'm not going to get any subsidies aznativ Oct 2013 #69

The information I got from Kaiser compared to the official exchange... BluegrassStateBlues Oct 2013 #70

Unfortunately nc screws the poor and middle class but...in your case you would need a ton Drew Richards Oct 2013 #71