Questions about poverty level friend and ACA

[chknltl]

Last edited Mon Oct 21, 2013, 05:21 PM - Edit history (1)

My apologies for the hit and run but I am without easy access to the internets, this being through a friends computer. I will post this then return in a couple of hours to see what help my fellow DUers may have responded with.

My friend is somewhat self employed, he makes less than $9000 a year, he is mid 50s in age, his eyesight is horrible. My question is regarding his need for glasses. Can he qualify for anything that will help him get glasses? My second question is what does he have to pay, (if anything) for participating in the ACA. Sorry for my ignorance and thank you for all who have a response.
(btw: I sincerely miss this place and hope to be back in the fight with ya real soon!)
c

Thank You to all who responded. In response to an oft asked question we live in Washington State. There is enough material to get me started on the road to getting my friend those much needed glasses for cheap-reasonable price. My apologies for not thanking each of you personally, this is a friends computer and i am only here briefly. Keep fighting the good fight DUers!

[Ms. Toad]

1. Cost depends on whether he is in a state which expanded Medicaid or not.

If the state expanded Medicaid, he should be eligible for Medicaid. If not, unfortunately there will be no subsidies and he will have to pay the full price for insurance (still likely lower than before the ACA), but not where it should be for someone with such lower income.

Eyeglasses are generally not covered for adults, but he would have to check the plans available (if Medicaid runs through insurance plans - some states do). Some packages offer a separate vision plan.

[kestrel91316]

2. With an income that low he almost certainly qualifies for Medicaid, unless he is in a RW state.

Medicaid might help with eyeglasses, I'm not sure.

So what state does he live in?

[mooseprime]

3. if all else fails

and you can get a prescription, zennioptical.com delivers absolutely serviceable eyeglasses of all kinds for pretty do-able prices: their cheapest frames go for like $7, and the most expensive, on the order of $30. i just got a pair from them for $52.50 (incld. frames, lenses with protective coatings, and shipping) that are in all ways indistinguishable from the ones that i got at costco for nearly 200.

[xfundy]

6. Yes. Zenni sends them to the same place as Walmart, Sam's, etc.

China, but Zenni passes on the savings. Walmart, Sam's, etc. make you wait two weeks (same a Zenni) but charge a hell of a lot more for the same glasses. I even checked at walmart out of desperation last time I needed specs, and they wanted over $350 for one pair. Complicated scrip, I guess-- astigmatism, other stuff -- but I got them from Zenni for around $100.

I doubt anyone grinds them in the US anymore.

[grasswire]

4. Lions Club International has an eyeglasses program, IIRC.

You might check to see if there is a Lions chapter in his town.

Another possibility might be Catholic Charities.

[Hoyt]

5. I think you'll find insurance and Mediciad/Medicare don't offer a lot of help with eyeglasses, but

the "Lighthouse for the Blind" (and Visually Impaired) might well provide help, or send him where help is available.

Search for that in your state, and search under "Low Vision Resources in _______".

Edit: See Grasswire's post above.

Good luck.