Affordable Care Act Web Chat

Get answers from experts on changes under the health insurance law.

T. Bradley Tunis, CLU will answer your questions today between 4 and 6:30 p.m. You can submit questions now before the chat starts.

You can also call our phone bank during the same hours at (800) 345-WPTV.

by WPTV edited by WPTV Webteam 9/27/2013 7:08:08 PM

3rd & 7 37yd

Do you have any information on how much one can earn to qualify for Medicaid? this is for my son who is 28 with a college degree and earned $13,400 last year. Would he qualify?

by Jenn 10/4/2013 8:49:49 PM
The 2013 level for a single person is $11,490. Your son should be eligible for subsidy.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 8:50:41 PM
Good luck finding a doctor under this program

by Rick 10/4/2013 8:52:01 PM
It is true that alot of the plans in the exchange will have limited networks

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 8:52:33 PM
Can I get off obamacare

by Rich 10/4/2013 8:54:22 PM
Because of the individual mandate, you have a penalty to pay if you don't have qualified medical coverage

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 8:55:07 PM
As a reminder, you have until December to obtain coverage. I would recommend that you wait a couple of weeks to allow the system to be running properly. You can go to Healthcare.gov, contact a navigator or a licensed agent that has been certified for the Market place. You can go to National Association of Health Underwriters at www.NAHU.org and find an agent.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 8:58:36 PM
Why should we put up with this power grab bubobama?

by Jim 10/4/2013 8:58:50 PM
If u have insurance already can u still apply?

by Eileen 10/4/2013 8:58:56 PM
Yes, and it may be as an advantage if you qualify for the subsidy

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 8:59:22 PM
Yes, see my previous answer

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:01:27 PM
What does it mean that your current policy is grandfathered in?

by Eileen 10/4/2013 9:01:52 PM
It means that the plan can stay as is and not have to meet some of the requirement of the Act

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:02:42 PM
Will the costs of keeping current policies go up now ?

by Eileen 10/4/2013 9:05:42 PM
For individual policies, the cost will go up at renewal time in 2014 in most cases as more beneits willbe required and you may have to a lower out of pocket cost

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:07:07 PM
Healthcare.gov is currently backlogged. Wait a couple of weeks and hopefully the bugs will be worked out.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:15:02 PM
A certified licensed agent can also help you with the details of this coverage. If you need an agent, you can go to the National Association of Health Underwriters. Their website is nahu.org and you can find an agent in your area.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:19:14 PM
There are also navigators who have been trained to help with the process

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:19:56 PM
Is there a RX program that you can suggest for newly approved meds costing $50-$70,000 for treatment?

by Robi 10/4/2013 9:23:09 PM
You will need to look at the details of the plan and the drug formulary for medications.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:24:29 PM
If your have ins through your employer do

by George 10/4/2013 9:24:37 PM
You need to sign up for this ins ?

by George 10/4/2013 9:24:40 PM
No you are not required to sign up for coverage through the exchange

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:25:19 PM
Why do i HAVE to have this or else i pay a fine?

by Why do i HAVE to have this... 10/4/2013 9:26:26 PM
It is part of the law know as the individual mandate. This part of the law was upheld by the Supreme Court.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:27:51 PM
Have med ins. but not RX? I have been trying to research this myself, can't seem to get thru to the insurance companies, should I use nahu.org for this too? I realize I am not required to by RX, I need RX coverage ASAP, VA does not cover the NEW medication!

by Robi 10/4/2013 9:28:17 PM
These coverages are not effective until January 1st. I would find an agent that can help you find the best coverage to meet your needs

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:29:25 PM
Healthcare.gov is the website fior the Marketplace and the telephone number is 800-318-2596. Be patient as the system is overloaded. You may want to wait a few days and try

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:45:35 PM
The subsidy available will be based on your income and your dependents. You can recieve a subsidy up to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. For a family of 4, 400% of Federal Poverty Level is family income of $94.200

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:54:14 PM
Are employers obligated to pay for full or part of your health insurance if you are a full time employee?

by Angela 10/4/2013 9:54:39 PM
It depends on the size of the employer group. For employers with less than 50 lives, they are not required to provide coverage. For grops with more than 50 employees they will have to offer coverage beginning in 2015 or face a penalty

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:56:28 PM
Can I receive a discount if I only have one leg.

by rob 10/4/2013 9:56:34 PM
The susidy is based on income and size of family. There will be no discount for physical limitations.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:59:13 PM
Do you currently have coverage?

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 9:59:50 PM
Employer does not offer insurance at this time. No health coverage, cannot afford

by Angela 10/4/2013 10:04:57 PM
You need to see if your coverage will be subsidied by the government. If you decide not to buy coverage, you wil have a penatly of the greater of $95 or 1% of your income

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:06:27 PM
Once you are able to get in and create an account, I know there are 4 plans to choose from, but I am a caretaker and can only work about 15 hours, so if I choose the Bronze for instance, and the out of pocket is too high, do you go to the next step????When you select a plan, do a lot of companies show up and you have to go into each plan and make a decision???

by Trish 10/4/2013 10:07:22 PM
Yes continue to see if you are eligible for the subsidy. You ned to look at each carrier's coverage and their networks. We are finding that they are limiting networks for exchange coverage. Also be aware of whether it is an HMO or PPO network as you make your decision. Within the four levels of plans, Platium, Gold, Silver and Bronze there may be more than one plan per carrier

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:10:54 PM
The whole process is confusing. I recommend you consider using a navigator or certified licensed agent.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:12:22 PM
Hi I called your 800 number several times, the two times I got the automated answering after hearing I was Caller #11, 10, 9, 8 etc I was disconnected The first time as caller #3 , second time as "the first in line", that second time before being disconnected, after going from #11 to the first in line it also told me

by Maggie 10/4/2013 10:15:41 PM
the phone bank was now closed, it was 6:05 at that time.

by Maggie 10/4/2013 10:15:45 PM
The phones are still ringing. Can I help you?

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:16:06 PM
Does the Platinum and Gold plans cover more than the Silver and Bronze? Only want to get a plan that offers PPO which I am sure will cost more, but gives freedom of network doctors without referral.

by sunni 10/4/2013 10:16:51 PM
Yes the Platium and Gold cover more than silver and bronze. The levels are based on the acturial amount of pocket. For instance, the platium cover 90% and the bronze only covers 60%. Just review plans for network; PPO an HMO

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:19:45 PM
Is income based on what you make from working or are assets included with that? This may be a silly question, but....if a person wins the lottery of "week for life" win, is that considered into the income?

by sunni 10/4/2013 10:20:02 PM
It is based off your income. If you are lucky to win the lottery, you will have to include that income

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:20:55 PM
what would happen if my income qualifies my family for a subsidy based on estimated January through June income and then one of my adult children, who is on the plan, gets a job in July / December which would make our household income too much for a subsidy ? Would I then have to pay back all the subsidy money I got for Jan-June or will it be prorated on taxes?

by donna 10/4/2013 10:22:30 PM
I hope it will be prorated, but you need to check with your tax professional to be sure

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:23:20 PM
now telling me I am #8

by Maggie 10/4/2013 10:23:24 PM
can I ask for info. from you ? as I'm afraid it might disconnect me again told I am caller #8 again - 6 minute wait, now #7 5 minute wait, #6 hold time 5 minutes,

by Maggie 10/4/2013 10:25:22 PM
sure, what can I help you with?

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:25:47 PM
If my daughter who is a college student on my family plan gets a job and that job offers health insurance is she able to take that employee offered insurance or is she required to keep the plan she was on in january?

by donna 10/4/2013 10:26:26 PM
She will be able to go on her employer's sponsored group plan when she becomes eligible for that coverage

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:27:11 PM
Once you chose a plan, if your income increases or decreases within that yearly plan, do you need to notify the provider in case your benefits change? Can you be penalized any time throughout the year of coverage?

by sunni 10/4/2013 10:27:21 PM
If your income increases =, it is possible that you would have to oay oart of the subsidy back to the government. That will be determined when you file your taxes. If your income decreases, I don't believe there is a way to get a larger subsidy until the next year

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:29:29 PM
he has never had an income, just this month has started a very part time job with Publix has disabilities and not sure he's going to be able to keep the job denied SSI applying yet again third attempt we are really struggling

by Maggie 10/4/2013 10:31:11 PM
I would suggest that he goes through the exchange and obtain coverage there. Since he is 23, it will be the best approach.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:32:34 PM
After picking a plan, can you change it during the yearly time period to a higher plan or lower plan? Or are you locked into a plan for a full year? I am with Blue Cross but I could cancel it any time if I find a better plan.

by sunni 10/4/2013 10:34:54 PM
You are locked into the plan for the year. You can cancel but you won't be eligible until the next open enrollment period. There are some qualifying events that aloow mid year sign up but just wanting to change won't be such an event

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:34:59 PM
Thanks for participating in this web chat. As a reminder, you can get help at nahu.org and you can find a certified licenced agent to help you. You can also get the help of a navigator. If you are trying this yourself, I would recommend that you wait for a week to 10 days to try the website, healthcare.gov.

by WPTV Webteam 10/4/2013 10:41:13 PM