Affordable Care Act - Individuals

What are the different options of getting health insurance?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

1- Health Insurance Marketplace referred to as a health exchange. it began in 2014, this program helps a person find health insurance that fits their budget. The exchange is run by the state or federal government and it results in a private insurance policy.
2- Job-based coverage is when employer offers health insurance coverage. You may be eligible to receive it, including your spouse or dependents. Employers may decline coverage for certain reasons such as for part-time workers, but not for health related reasons.
3- Medicaid: Each state offers Medicaid for lower income people or for the elderly or people with disabilities.
4- Private policy: these health plans will cost the same whether acquired directly or through an insurance exchange. Subsidies will apply only if you are using an insurance exchange.
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Affordable Care Act - Individuals

What if I can't afford health insurance?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If you can’t afford health insurance, subsidies are provided. The Affordable Care Act is designed to provide a subsidy or tax credit to low and middle income individuals so they can afford to buy health insurance. People who purchase insurance through an exchange may be eligible for the Premium Assistance Credit.
The credit is refundable and payable in advance directly to the health insurer. The individual will then pay the difference between the total premium and the credit. For employed individuals, the premiums can be made through payroll deductions. Direct subsidies are also available.
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Affordable Care Act - Individuals

How do I figure if i am entitled to a subsidy?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Generally, uninsured individuals who purchase health insurance through an online health insurance marketplace or exchange and have income no greater than $94,200 for a family of 4, may be eligible for a government subsidy to help pay for health insurance.
The subsidy will be in the form of a tax credit.The credit or subsidy will be applied to your insurance premium when you purchase it in 2014.
To figure out if you’re eligible for a subsidy, you need to determine your household size and household income and see where it falls within the federal poverty line.
Subsidies are available up to 400% of the federal poverty line. Up to 133% of the federal poverty line, a family needs to devote 2% of its income towards the premium, with the balance subsidized by the government. The subsidy then decreases as income goes up.
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Affordable Care Act - Individuals

What is the penalty for not having health insurance in 2016?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The 2016 penalty is the greater of: $695 per year ($2,085 maximum per family), or 2.5% of household income.
There was no penalty in 2013. The penalty is phased in over time. Beginning in 2014, U.S. citizens and legal residents must carry health insurance or be subject to a penalty.
The 2014 penalty was the greater of: $95 per year ($2,085 maximum per family), or 1.% of household income.
The 2015 penalty was the greater of: $325 per year ($2,085 maximum per family), or 2.% of household income.
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Affordable Care Act - Individuals

Is there a new government run insurance plan?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

There is no government run insurance plan or single payer system established under the Affordable Care Act. The government will only run the health care exchanges and the insurance industry will still be run by private companies.
Public exchanges will be available in all 50 states and 4 levels of health care insurance will be offered. They are platinum, gold, silver and bronze. Each insurance plan will offer the “minimum essential coverage”, which is needed to avoid paying a penalty. Private exchanges will be available as an alternative to the public exchanges.
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Affordable Care Act - Individuals

What is the government website to buy health care insurance?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Go to https://www.healthcare.gov/
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Affordable Care Act - Individuals

Can I be refused medical insurance if I have a pre existing condition?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

No. Starting in 2014, health insurance plans can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing health condition.
Starting in 2014, being sick won't keep you from getting health coverage. An insurance company can't turn you down or charge you more because of your condition. Once you have insurance, the plan can't refuse to cover treatment for pre-existing conditions. Coverage for your pre-existing conditions begins immediately.
This is true even if you have been turned down or refused coverage due to a pre-existing condition in the past.
The only exception is for grandfathered individual health insurance plans -- the kind you buy yourself, not through an employer. They do not have to cover pre-existing conditions. If you have one of these plans you can switch to a Marketplace plan during open enrollment and immediately get coverage for your pre-existing conditions.
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Affordable Care Act - Individuals

Can I be refused Medicaid medical insurance if I have a pre existing condition?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program can not refuse to cover you or charge you more because of a health condition.
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Affordable Care Act - Individuals

Can I get dental coverage in the Marketplace?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

In the Health Insurance Marketplace, you generally can get dental coverage as part of a health plan or by itself through a separate, stand-alone dental plan. Under the health care law, dental insurance is treated differently for adults and children 18 and under.
Dental coverage for children is an essential health benefit. This means it must be available to you as part of a health plan or as a free-standing plan. This is not the case for adults. Insurers don’t have to offer adult dental coverage.
Starting in 2014, you must have health coverage or pay a fee. But this is not true for dental coverage. You do not need to have dental coverage to avoid the penalty.
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Affordable Care Act - Small Biz

How do I claim the Business Health Care Tax Credit?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

You can claim the credit on IRS Form 8941, Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums, to calculate the credit. For detailed information on filling out this form, see the Instructions for Form 8941.
If you are a small business, include the amount as part of the general business credit on your income tax return.
If you are a small business employer, you may be able to carry the credit back or forward.
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