While researching my latest book, I've spent a lot of time reading about the healthcare marketplace (aka the exchange). Surprisingly, even with the exchanges opening on Tuesday, it seems like most people still aren't sure exactly how they work.
Have a question? Post it here and I'll try to answer it.
Some questions that I've seen pop up repeatedly:
Q: I have Medicare. What do I need to do?
A: Nothing. Medicare meets the requirement to have insurance, so you're covered. You can still buy a supplemental policy, but not through the Marketplace.
Q: I make below the FPL (federal poverty line). What do I need to do?
A: If your state is expanding Medicaid, you qualify (and you'll be directed to sign up when you put your information in at www.healthcare.gov). If not, you don't qualify for subsidies on the exchange, but you almost certainly don't have "affordable" insurance available, which also exempts you from the mandate.
Q: I get insurance through my employer, but my spouse does not. Can s/he buy from the exchange?
A: Yes, but a subsidy might not be available. If your employer offers both affordable individual coverage and any family coverage, regardless of whether the family coverage is affordable, then a subsidy isn't available; this is one of the flaws with the ACA that needs to be fixed the next time we have a functional Congress.
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Shameless plug: my latest book, Surviving Obamacare, is a free download this weekend. The book is written to an audience skeptical of the law (thus the title) but willing to be convinced. If you find any parts of it useful in convincing people to get insured, I encourage you to steal them.