Author Topic: Affordable Care Act Question  (Read 2097 times)

Rollin

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Affordable Care Act Question
« on: June 11, 2015, 04:28:59 AM »
I find myself unable to get a definitive answer to my questions both from the ACA website and from speaking to representatives.  I have filled out the premium estimate form and got a dollar amount (approximately $200), but that did not indicate if that was for one person or for the four people in the household.  I then called and was told that even though it is past the enrollment period that I should fill out an application to get a better estimate.  Well I did that and no estimate!  Called again today and was told that since the enrollment period was closed that I could not get an estimate and should go to their premium estimator - therefore FULL CIRCLE.

I only want to insure my DW and me, but there will be four of us in the household (the kiddies get insurance coverage elsewhere).  Do any of you know if the figure given on the estimator is for one, two, or the four that I plugged in?

Also, does $200 seem reasonable for four people with a household income shown at $61,000 (in Florida), or even for my DW and me.  I'm just looking to see if that is close to what some of you have experienced.

I need this number for my FIRE spreadsheet because I am really wanting to be part of the 2015 FIRE graduating class! :) and expenses matter...

Frankies Girl

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Re: Affordable Care Act Question
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2015, 05:23:31 AM »
I don't see how you're not getting an estimate based off of who you're trying to cover; when I ran estimates through the healthcare.gov website, I was walked through the process, entered the household income, myself and husband as and plugged in the ages and it spit out estimates that were in the ballpark with what I ended up paying for myself/husband.

I just ran an estimate for Florida the same thing - 4 people, two adult "parents," two children (but clicked the checkbox for "coverage provided through employer, Medicaid..." on the kids) and it spit out coverage for two adults - it shows a much higher estimate than $200. Using $61K, two adults in their mid/late 20s, two children covered elsewhere... low price (bronze) started at $340/month for both adults. Silver coverage started at $420/month. https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/

I'm in Texas with a silver "name brand" insurance company on the ACA, and we're paying around $340 for two early 40 year olds (this is with a subsidy tho). 

You could always estimate higher to cover the possibility for the first year until you see how your coverage will work out.


Rollin

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Re: Affordable Care Act Question
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2015, 05:54:23 AM »
I don't see how you're not getting an estimate based off of who you're trying to cover; when I ran estimates through the healthcare.gov website, I was walked through the process, entered the household income, myself and husband as and plugged in the ages and it spit out estimates that were in the ballpark with what I ended up paying for myself/husband.

I just ran an estimate for Florida the same thing - 4 people, two adult "parents," two children (but clicked the checkbox for "coverage provided through employer, Medicaid..." on the kids) and it spit out coverage for two adults - it shows a much higher estimate than $200. Using $61K, two adults in their mid/late 20s, two children covered elsewhere... low price (bronze) started at $340/month for both adults. Silver coverage started at $420/month. https://www.healthcare.gov/see-plans/

I'm in Texas with a silver "name brand" insurance company on the ACA, and we're paying around $340 for two early 40 year olds (this is with a subsidy tho). 

You could always estimate higher to cover the possibility for the first year until you see how your coverage will work out.

I will try again on the estimator, as it appears as though there were a couple of things to check off that I did not see (or know about).  However, your estimate sounds reasonable - and your idea of overestimating (being conservative) is not such a bad idea on this line item in my spreadsheet.

Thank you for doing that Frankies Girl.