We’ll spend some time today answering the many questions that have been emailed to us, and will try to answer as many questions submitted live as we can. You’ll find the answers to your questions in the comments under each question.
As before, we’re addressing the nuts and bolts of how the new law works and won’t be spending time on the politics of the law. For a more political discussion of the law, we invite you to participate in our opinion or politics blogs.
Our reader Andrea emailed: What if you have been unemployed for 3 years and you presently have insurance through PCIP state plan which ends Dec 31. Can you get onto the ACA with absolutely no income? Cannot get medicaid because of home ownership and other assets.
Our reader Mary emailed this question/comment: I have an illustration of something to watch out for when shopping for insurance on the new exchanges. Suppose you have a Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan and you are looking on the exchange to see if you can find a plan that is cheaper. And you actually find a Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan with the same deductibles and co-pays which is significantly cheaper! But before you sign up, you need to check whether the doctors and hospitals you use accept this Blue Cross/ Blue Shield plan;
A reader named Tracey emailed this question: “Free stuff is great. Preventive care is great. But who really pays for it?”
We had this question via email from our reader, Irma: After reading today's article, have a question concerning Region 3 projected monthly expense of $288.29. How can an unemployed male over 55 with 0 income pay the $288.29 premium??
Our reader, John, emailed this: Will I need anything other than medicare at 67
A reader emailed this question: Is there a deadline for enrolling?
A reader wrote in with this question in our last chat session: I own a small business with about 40 employees. Our group plan is due for renewal Nov.1. I am starting to believe that our employees will get better and cheaper coverage on their own than what we can provide through group coverage. I have also been told that they may not qualify for subsidies if we provide group coverage. Is this true? And is there a way we can still reimburse for coverage if they get it on their own without them having to pay income tax and us still being able to write it off?
Our reader Skip, of Mableton, emailed: Will there be HSA eligible health plans offered on the exchanges? We currently have a HDHP that is going away at the end of the year, and would like to still be able to utilize our HSA's to manage out of pocket expenses. Thanks for your response!
Joel sent this one via email: I keep reading that the law requires employers to offer “affordable coverage.” What exactly is considered affordable?
MODERATOR'S COMMENT: We're answering the questions in the "comments" section of each post. If you're responding to a previous question, please do so in each comments section rather than as a new post. Thanks.
Ben Lopez asks: I don't exactly understand the silver plans $6,350 annual out of pocket expense. Say I visit my doctors office, how much will I have to pay?
As before, we’re addressing the nuts and bolts of how the new law works and won’t be spending time on the politics of the law. For a more political discussion of the law, we invite you to participate in our opinion or politics blogs.
We're answering the questions in the "comments" section of each post. If you're responding to a previous question, please do so in each comments section rather than as a new post. Thanks.
Our reader, Janice, sent in this question: If I have healthcare through Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, can I drop this coverage and sign up for Obama care plan?
Our reader, Joey, asked, "I am currently uninsured. My employer does provide health insurance, but my contributions would be roughly 25% of my monthly pay. My annual household income is low enough to qualify for the expanded Medicaid coverage. Would I be able to purchase subsidized coverage through the exchanges, or must I enroll in Medicaid?"
Our reader, Franklin, asked: what is the difference between gold, silver and bronze?
Our reader, Dawn, asked: "I have insurance through my employer, so I’m good. However, my boyfriend, who also lives in Georgia, has no job and no income. Obviously, he can’t buy health care. However, from what I’ve seen of the Georgia Medicaid program, he isn’t eligible for that, either. I understand that this is because GA declined to broaden that coverage to include households without children or pregnant females. Are there plans in the works in N. GA for people in this circumstance? I’m pretty certain that there are a lot of people that are falling through the cracks between the two systems.
Our reader, Judy, asked: "My son is a college student in graduate school. He has no income; he is living off of student loans. Would he qualify for any subsidy/tax credits?"
