All the Ways to Get Out of Obamacare

[xchrom]

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/09/all-the-ways-to-get-out-of-obamacare/280075/



Have you been unable to pay a medical bill in the last two calendar years?

Did you get a shut-off notice from a utility company?

Did you experience substantial property damage from fire, flooding, or other natural or man-made disaster?

Did you have to shell out unexpectedly on travel to go take care of your elderly mom, who got sick?

Has your mortgage company moved to foreclose against you?

If you can answer yes to any one of these questions in 2014 and do not have health insurance for at least nine months of that year, then you may be eligible for an exemption from the fee for remaining uninsured under the individual mandate.

[frazzled]

1. How about a focus on how to get into it?

I'm really tired of people complaining about Obamacare or trying to figure out ways to get out of having insurance. It seems to me that if you're really financially struggling, you might truly want to get health insurance. Indeed, many people have been clamoring for years to have what the rest of us get through employers.

So, except for the states that have prohibited it, significant numbers of people on the very low end of the economic ladder will be able to get Medicaid. Those just above that will get massive subsidies to purchase insurance on the exchanges.

And what about the dozens of posts here that complain, "Yeah ... but who can afford those deductibles?" Surprise! There's fine print for that, too:

Q. Can I get help with my out-of-pocket expenses, like deductibles?

A. People with incomes between 100 percent of the federal poverty line ($23,550 for a family of four) and 250 percent ($58,875 for a family of four) are also eligible for cost-sharing reductions, which means you’ll pay less for items including deductibles and co-payments, and you’ll have lower out-of-pocket maximums.
There is a big caveat: you can qualify for the reductions only if you buy a silver plan. When choosing a silver plan — and compare them closely, because they will differ — the exchange Web site will automatically show what you will pay, with the cost-sharing reductions included, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Even if you’re tempted by the bronze plans’ lower premiums, remember you’ll probably end up paying more for out-of-pocket costs. For people who qualify for both premium and cost-sharing subsidies, the silver plan will usually be the better deal, Ms. Fish-Parcham said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/28/your-money/health-insurance/a-guide-to-the-new-health-insurance-exchanges.html?pagewanted=1&hp&_r=0

[bluestate10]

2. Like you, I am baffled by the OP. It essentially says that if you got shot in the foot once,

set yourself up to get shot in the same foot again. I look forward to the individual and employer coverage options offered by Obamacare, and I live in the only state that has health care reform already enacted. I want Obamacare to bring even more competition among insurance companies for consumers and companies.

[Romulox]

3. What a bizarre system--the gov't will give me money to give to their corporate buddies, who then

will give some of the money back to the politicians?

How is this a defensible system?

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. Bizarre indeed.

What's even more bizarre is defending this by saying it's the best we can do and settling for that lame excuse.

[Romulox]

6. It's like a pyramid scheme. And their solution is to build a bigger base... nt

[frazzled]

7. Why don't you just skip the insurance and pay the $95 then

If you don't want health insurance, just make Rand Paul and Ted Cruz happy and opt out. It's the libertarian's wet dream.

[Romulox]

9. Perhaps I'd like medical care without being forced to subsidize the for-profit leeches of the

insurance industry?

Maybe this is bigger than me, and I'd like my family, people in my community, hell, even people I'll never meet to have access to healthcare rather than be forced to buy health INSURANCE?

[obxhead]

8. It's not.

It's time to cut out the profiteer in the system that provides NO medical service.

[Lars39]

4. You're getting flack, but article's info is important if you live in one of the red states

that is not expanding Medicaid, as I found out yesterday when plugging in info for a relative. Her income as a 60 yo is less than $10,000 per year, yet she is expected to fork over half that for a catastrophic policy. At least there are some exemptions in place where she won't have to pay a goddamned fine.

[bunnies]

11. Exactly.

Some dont seem to understand that if you make $10k a year, you make TOO LITTLE to qualify for subsidies. And if your state doesnt expand medicaid... you are absolutely fucked. Youre expected to pay MORE for a shit policy than someone making 30k a year. Its infuriating. Im in the same position.

"Lucky" for me Im out of work right now, so I will get an exemption. But I can tell you for certain this will severely impact my job search. Why the hell would I take a part-time job when half of my frigging income will have to pay for health insurance.

[JaneyVee]

10. This will only work if people buy in, lets not discourage that.