General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWow! Healthcare.gov has answers, including exemptions from fee due to hardship.
Starting 2014, most people must have health coverage or pay a fee (the individual shared responsibility payment). You can get an exemption in certain cases.
The individual shared responsibility payment
If you can afford health insurance but choose not to buy it, you must pay a fee known as the individual shared responsibility payment.
The fee in 2014 is 1% of your yearly income or $95 per person for the year, whichever is higher. The fee increases every year. In 2016 it is 2.5% of income or $695 per person, whichever is higher.
In 2014 the payment for uninsured children is $47.50 per child. The most a family would have to pay in 2014 is $285.
You make the payment when you file your 2014 taxes, which are due in April 2015.
Exemptions from the payment
Under certain circumstances, you wont have to make the individual responsibility payment. This is called an exemption.
You may qualify for an exemption if:
- Youre uninsured for less than 3 months of the year
- The lowest-priced coverage available to you would cost more than 8% of your household income
- You dont have to file a tax return because your income is too low (Learn about the filing limit.)
- Youre a member of a federally recognized tribe or eligible for services through an Indian Health Services provider
- Youre a member of a recognized health care sharing ministry
- Youre a member of a recognized religious sect with religious objections to insurance, including Social Security and Medicare
- Youre incarcerated, and not awaiting the disposition of charges against you
- Youre not lawfully present in the U.S.
If you have any of the circumstances below that affect your ability to purchase health insurance coverage, you may qualify for a hardship exemption:
- You were homeless.
- You were evicted in the past 6 months or were facing eviction or foreclosure.
- You received a shut-off notice from a utility company.
- You recently experienced domestic violence.
- You recently experienced the death of a close family member.
- You experienced a fire, flood, or other natural or human-caused disaster that caused substantial damage to your property.
- You filed for bankruptcy in the last 6 months.
- You had medical expenses you couldnt pay in the last 24 months.
- You experienced unexpected increases in necessary expenses due to caring for an ill, disabled, or aging family member.
- You expect to claim a child as a tax dependent whos been denied coverage in Medicaid and CHIP, and another person is required by court order to give medical support to the child. In this case, you do not have the pay the penalty for the child.
- As a result of an eligibility appeals decision, youre eligible for enrollment in a qualified health plan (QHP) through the Marketplace, lower costs on your monthly premiums, or cost-sharing reductions for a time period when you werent enrolled in a QHP through the Marketplace.
- You were determined ineligible for Medicaid because your state didnt expand eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
If you are applying for an exemption based on: coverage being unaffordable; membership in a health care sharing ministry; membership in a federally-recognized tribe; or being incarcerated:
- more -
https://www.healthcare.gov/exemptions/
Much more information:
All Topics
https://www.healthcare.gov/all-topics/
BumRushDaShow
(129,043 posts)Turbineguy
(37,332 posts)"I think that this situation absolutely requires a really futile and stupid gesture be done on somebody's part!"
nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)"You were determined ineligible for Medicaid because your state didnt expand eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act."
If you would have been eligible Medicaid expansion, you will NOT get a subsidy, which means you can't the premiums and will remain uninsured. However, you make too much or won't pass the assets test for regular Medicaid. Basically, you get royally screwed. No wonder they want to delay this. A LOT of people are going to be pissed when they see friends and neighbors get insurance and they can't.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)Spot on!
Brewinblue
(392 posts)It's the fault of my POS red-state governor and legislature, don't get me wrong. But it is equally the fault of the PPACA itself, which is a POS bit of compromise legislation. This will piss a lot of people off, but who will they blame?
nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)it's all Obama's fault and far too many will believe them.
Triana
(22,666 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)Under "What is the Marketplace in my state? "
Health Insurance Marketplace in California
If you live in California, Covered California is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, youll use the Covered California website to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. You can apply as early as October 1, 2013. Visit Covered California now to learn more.
Health Insurance Marketplace in New Jersey
If you live in New Jersey, youll use this website, HealthCare.gov, to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. Specific plans and prices will be available on October 1, 2013, when Marketplace open enrollment begins. Coverage can start as soon as January 1, 2014.
Health Insurance Marketplace in Texas
If you live in Texas, youll use this website, HealthCare.gov, to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. Specific plans and prices will be available on October 1, 2013, when Marketplace open enrollment begins. Coverage can start as soon as January 1, 2014.
Health Insurance Marketplace in Vermont
If you live in Vermont, Vermont Health Connect is the Health Insurance Marketplace to serve you. Instead of HealthCare.gov, youll use the Vermont Health Connect website to apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll. You can apply as early as October 1, 2013. Visit Vermont Health Connect now to learn more.
Under "What is the Health Insurance Marketplace?"
You can apply for Marketplace coverage three ways: online, by mail, or in-person with the help of a Navigator or other qualified helper. Telephone help and online chat are available 24/7 to help you complete your application. Downloadable and paper applications will be available October 1.
Open enrollment starts October 1, 2013. Plans and prices will be available then. Coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014. Open enrollment ends March 31, 2014.
Triana
(22,666 posts)It's so simple!
ProSense
(116,464 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)Go figure!
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)and still others do that for sport.
Meant to link to the OP to kick the thread.