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.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Affordable Care Act - Individuals

Do Marketplace insurance plans cover mental health and substance abuse services?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Yes. All Marketplace insurance plans cover mental health and substance abuse services as an essential health benefit. Mental and behavioral health services are essential health benefits.
Health insurance plans available in the Marketplace must cover 10 categories of essential health benefits. One of these categories is mental health and substance abuse services. (Substance abuse is also known as substance use disorder.
These services include behavioral health treatment, such as psychotherapy and counseling. They also include mental and behavioral health inpatient services and substance use disorder treatment.
Your specific behavioral health benefits will depend on the state you live in and the particular health plan you choose. You’ll see a full list of what each plan covers when you compare plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Affordable Care Act - Individuals

Are the benefits the same in each state?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Generally, yes. But while all Marketplace plans offer the same general set of benefits, specific benefits may be different in each state. Even within the same state, there can be small differences between plans.
When you fill out your Marketplace application and compare plans, you'll see the specific benefits each plan offers.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Affordable Care Act - Individuals

What if I currently have COBRA coverage?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If you have COBRA continuation health coverage, you can keep it or decide to buy a Marketplace insurance plan.
When you leave a job, you may be able to keep your job-based health coverage for a period, usually up to 18 months. This is called COBRA continuation coverage. When you have COBRA coverage, you usually have to pay the entire premium yourself, plus a small administrative fee. After you leave your job your former employer no longer pays for any of your insurance costs.
In the Marketplace, you may be able to get lower coverage costs
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Affordable Care Act - Individuals

What are my health coverage options if I’m unemployed?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

If you’re unemployed you may qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or lower costs on Marketplace insurance based on your income.
Your household size and income, not your employment status, will determine what health coverage options you’re eligible for and how much help you get paying for coverage. When you apply for Marketplace coverage you will report your current income and estimate your income for 2014.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

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.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

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.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Affordable Care Act - Individuals

When did the Afordable Care Act come into existence ?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) also referred to "Obamacare" is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010.
On June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
However, the Supreme Court held that states cannot be forced to participate in the Affordable Care Acts Medicaid expansion under penalty of losing their current Medicaid funding.
The Affordable Care Act includes a number of provisions that take effect between 2010 and 2020. Policies issued before 2010 are exempted by a grandfather clause from many of the changes to insurance standards, but they are affected by other provisions which take effect by January 1, 2014.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Affordable Care Act - Individuals

Are there any exceptions to having to get health insurance coverage in 2016?

Asked Thursday, November 21, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

Individuals will need to carry health insurance beginning in 2014 unless they meet an exception: Exemptions will be granted for: Individuals with income below the tax filing threshold ($9,750 single; $19,500 married filing joint), Individuals whose lowest cost plan option exceeds 8% of household income, those claiming financial hardship or claiming religious objections.
Individuals without coverage for less than 3 months and Aliens not lawfully present in the United States or American Indians or Incarcerated individuals.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory

Inflation Adjustments - 2014

2014 Tax Rates

Asked Thursday, October 31, 2013 by an anonymous user

CPA Answer:

The tax rate of 39.6 percent affects singles whose income exceeds $406,750 ($457,600 for married taxpayers filing a joint return), up from $400,000 and $450,000, respectively. The other marginal rates – 10, 15, 25, 28, 33 and 35 percent – and the related income tax thresholds are described in the revenue procedure.
CPAdirectory
Answer Provided by: CPAdirectory