How do Obamacare subsidies work?
The amount of tax credit varies with income such that the premium you would have to pay for the second lowest cost silver plan is capped as a percentage of income (adjusted for household size): Here is a link to a calculator that is the easiest way to determine your subsidy level.
OBAMACARE SUBSIDY CALCULATOR
Individual Shared Responsibility
Under the affordable Care Act, the Federal government, State Governments, Insurers, Employers and Individuals share the responsibility for health insurance coverage begening in 2014. Many people already have qualifying health insurance coverage called minimum essential coverage and do not need to do anything more than maintain that coverage.
The individual shared responsibility provision requires you and each member of you family to either:
- Have minimum essential coverage
- Have an exemption from the responsibility to have minimum essential coverage
- Make a shared responsibility payment when you file your 2014 federal income tax return in 2015
You will report the minimum essential coverage, report exemptions, or make any individual shared responsibility payment when you file your 2014 federal income tax return in 2015.
Are there penalties for not purchasing coverage?
YES, if you do not purchase insurance coverage there is a progressive penalty per family or household. This is illustrated in the picture below as a portion of your taxable income and no more than a set maximum. Each year the penalty increases so delaying the purchase of a compliant plan will only cost more each year simply by design.
Confused About Health Insurance?
We are here to help simplify the process and educate you about the options available.
First we want to inform consumers about options available and potential costly penalties for ignoring the law. We all heard about the disastrous roll-out of the government website/marketplace for consumers to purchase coverage. This website is barely functional and the call center is even worse for people trying to get information about plans and networks available to them. Madison Insurance Group wants to provide information to Tennessee residents about health insurance options available to them and the difference between plans and products. This is why an independent agent that has sold and serviced health insurance for over 30 years should be your first stop when looking for advice. You don't pay any more for the plans and you have a local adviser when you need assistance. Also, most people are not aware that the open enrollment period if you don't have a qualifying event is the only time you may purchase health insurance.
Open enrollment for 2015 coverage is November 15th 2014 to February 15th 2015.
Outside the open enrollment window you may only purchase coverage if you qualify for a special enrollment period.
There are 3 simple steps you need to be aware of when shopping for health insurance.
Step 1: Gather Your Information
To get an accurate quote you will need to provide some basic information for everyone requesting coverage. Some of the information you need to have available is name, date of birth, address, number of people in your family, household income, employer and whether you have access to health insurance elsewhere. Additionally, to ensure you choose the right plan, please provide a list of doctors you prefer to see and any medications you require. This list will help ensure the plan you find will provide the coverage you expect. We certainly want to make sure you pay premium for a plan that covers your needs.
Step 2: Apply for Health Insurance
This application process is actually simplified now that preexisting illnesses are no longer a factor. The application for coverage does NOT bind or purchase a health insurance plan. The application merely begins the process and will tell you exactly if you are eligible for financial assistance under Obamacare. You will consult with us on the plans available to you and we may answer any specific questions about coverage.
Step 3: Choose a Plan & Enroll
Now we will take premium and enroll you in the plan we decide is best for you. You will be sent the ID cards from the carrier and the effective date will be established.