Help and questions about applying on healthcare exchange

[w100jmi]

I spoke to several people the other day on about my eligibility and i have a few more questions, if someone can help.

First off, i am eligible for health insurance through my employer for myself and my spouse. The cheapest available plan to me only is $78 every two weeks (premium for myself and spouse is 178 every two weeks)

I was unaware that I can deduct tuition that will be paid in 2014 from our income. Because of the amount we pay, it will push my income to cost of insurance (for myself) ratio above 9.5%. this allows me to be eligible to buy insurance from healthcare exchange. now i applied earlier by adding this information and it still says we are ineligible. However, on the Kaiser calculator states if i pay more than 9.5% of my income for insurance for myself only, to select "NO" even if health insurance is available to me.

so when I apply, i should say "NO" that my employer offers me insurance. Because I did that, and it makes it looks like my employers offers no insurance at all. I just need clarification if Is that accurate information?

Thanks

[yellowdogintexas]

1. I believe I read that you lose the pretax status of the premiums you pay

if you take the exchange instead of your employer's plan.
This should be answerable on the site somewhere.