Medical Insurance question

[NikLR 13,231]

Why cant your wife add you to her insurance? Can you get a better job? Mcondalds?

[EmilyW 1,496]

Again, why can't your wife add you to her insurance? This is the easiest way to get insurance. I'm not sure why you are avoiding the question.

As for pretending to have religious beliefs to avoid health insurance. Wow, really? I'm not sure the Amish are going to buy your pretend conversion.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

I'm not sure you know who the Amish are...

I'm not even sure if they take converts, but their way of life is drastically different from the modern world.

Are you ready to move to Pennsylvania and live in a rural community? Give up all your electronic devices, the Internet, "worldly music", even phones (some of them have those outside the house), not drive a car ever again, but a horse and a buggy? What about your wife? Is she ready for the same?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amish_way_of_life

IMHO, it would be very hard for someone who grew up outside the Amish community to join them.

http://lancasterpa.com/amish/amish-frequently-asked-questions/

[yuna628 9,696]

Thanks for tour long explanation.

I wish I could have been eligible for Obama care. I am not because I am a new resident. I have to apply after 5 years from staying in the states. I think but I am not sure Molina which is affordable care act is the cheapest out there but cheap for me as I am working one day a week. I would personally go for the penalty if it doesn't mathematically based on the household income. My wife's income made me ineligible for lots of things actually. I am classified as middle class like her but in fact I am in the poor class right now. It's unfair as we don't share things together. Anyway, that's why I am thinking of being Amish and apply for exemption or whatever other reason would make me eligible for waiver, I would go for it. Any thoughts ?

That is simply NOT true. Repeat after me. OBAMACARE (affordable care act) IS NOT MEDICARE OR MEDICAID (which has the five year rule). Please see the link in my signature regarding immigrants. You qualify for your state exchange applecare, and you qualify on the federal exchange. Stop thinking you can't use it. Millions of immigrants do use it. Start exploring the website and phoning people.

My thoughts? Please do not disrespect whom the Amish are by thinking you can become one to avoid paying money. It's an insult to their community, of which you would not qualify for. I cannot take such thoughts seriously.

You either need to decide:

to pay the penalty

sign up on the state or federal exchange

buy private

be added to your wife's insurance

obtain a job that offers insurance

manage your finances with your wife and come up with enough money between yourselves to afford a premium

That's it. There's no religious exemption that will apply to you.

[EmilyW 1,496]

Another option is the Christian ministries. They have an exemption from Obamacare. Their packages start at around $45 (bearing in mind that they won't cover anything up to $5000). You won't pay the penalty but you will need to make sure you have enough money to pay your bills up to $5000 before they start pitching in.

But, as Yuna says above, pretending to be religious just to get a monetary break is pretty unethical and disrespectful to the people who pay in good faith to help others.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Considering OP's already on a plan with a premium of $150/month, I doubt that he can find anything cheaper on the exchange, as I believe they calculate possible discounts based on household income.

That said, of course he's eligible to use the state or federal exchange, he should at least look.

Another option is the Christian ministries. They have an exemption from Obamacare. Their packages start at around $45 (bearing in mind that they won't cover anything up to $5000). You won't pay the penalty but you will need to make sure you have enough money to pay your bills up to $5000 before they start pitching in.

But, as Yuna says above, pretending to be religious just to get a monetary break is pretty unethical and disrespectful to the people who pay in good faith to help others.

Many of those Christian health-share ministries require proof of church membership/letter from pastor, as well.

[Dantrolene 15]

Thanks for all responses and thoughts so far.

Reg: why I can't get insurance through my wife? She doesn't have insurance through work either as she works for small office. She has her state insurance through washington healthplanfinder (Molina). She is not eligible for federal insurance like medicaid or medicare because of her high income, and therefore I am not eligible either.

I think State insurance or private the only available options for me. As I said I pay for ( Molina; state insurance ) $150 a month and I am not sure if I can find cheaper than this through private. I am not very aware of every single type of insurance out there, and I don't care what kind of insurance to hold even with very high deductible, I would go for it as long as less monthly payment.

What do you think state or private insurance, whichever is cost effective ? And because looks like I am not a good fit and not plausible also to apply for religion exemption, is there any other kind of exemptions I can fit into, given that my income is very low, way less than a thousand a month ? I chose not to work more than a day a week, because I want to focus on my studies. Any thoughts now after the complete scenario is explained ?

Edited July 17, 2016 by Dantrolene

[Lemonslice 4,942]

Thanks for all responses and thoughts so far.

Reg: why I can't get insurance through my wife? She doesn't have insurance through work either as she works for small office. She has her state insurance through washington healthplanfinder (Molina). She is not eligible for federal insurance like medicaid or medicare because of her high income, and therefore I am not eligible either.

I think State insurance or private the only available options for me. As I said I pay for ( Molina; state insurance ) $150 a month and I am not sure if I can find cheaper than this through private. I am not very aware of every single type of insurance out there, and I don't care what kind of insurance to hold even with very high deductible, I would go for it as long as less monthly payment.

What do you think state or private insurance, whichever is cost effective ? And because looks like I am not a good fit and not plausible also to apply for religion exemption, is there any other kind of exemptions I can fit into, given that my income is very low, way less than a thousand a month ? I chose not to work more than a day a week, because I want to focus on my studies. Any thoughts now after the complete scenario is explained ?

You said your wife has good income, why can't she help you while you're a student?

[Dantrolene 15]

She won't help paying for my expenses because she has her own mortgage and kids...etc

[Lemonslice 4,942]

She won't help paying for my expenses because she has her own mortgage and kids...etc

"My wife's income made me ineligible for lots of things actually. I am classified as middle class like her but in fact I am in the poor class right now. It's unfair as we don't share things together"

It seems more of a relationship problem than just a question about insurance - discuss it together guess? The penalty for not being insured might cost her more than helping you out...

No insurance with school? Colleges here make it compulsory to get through them if you do not show proof of coverage.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Thanks for all responses and thoughts so far.

Reg: why I can't get insurance through my wife? She doesn't have insurance through work either as she works for small office. She has her state insurance through washington healthplanfinder (Molina). She is not eligible for federal insurance like medicaid or medicare because of her high income, and therefore I am not eligible either.

I think State insurance or private the only available options for me. As I said I pay for ( Molina; state insurance ) $150 a month and I am not sure if I can find cheaper than this through private. I am not very aware of every single type of insurance out there, and I don't care what kind of insurance to hold even with very high deductible, I would go for it as long as less monthly payment.

What do you think state or private insurance, whichever is cost effective ? And because looks like I am not a good fit and not plausible also to apply for religion exemption, is there any other kind of exemptions I can fit into, given that my income is very low, way less than a thousand a month ? I chose not to work more than a day a week, because I want to focus on my studies. Any thoughts now after the complete scenario is explained ?

If your income was under $4,000/year, you could file Married Filing Separately and be exempt.

[Dantrolene 15]

Its very close to $4.000. If I file my tax separately, would that hurt my case when I apply to remove my conditions ? I've heard about that, but not sure its worth vs risk.

Edited July 17, 2016 by Dantrolene

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

Its very close to $4.000. If I file my tax separately, would that hurt my case when I apply to remove my conditions ? I've heard about that, but not sure its worth vs risk.

Is it over it, though? If it's even one dollar over $4k, it won't help you.

But no, it does not matter for ROC, there are reasons to file separately, this being one of them. I'm assuming you have plenty more evidence of financial co-mingling & co-habitation. If so, it should not hurt your ROC to file separately. But like I said, your income needs to be UNDER $4k, not just close to it.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

She won't help paying for my expenses because she has her own mortgage and kids...etc

That is just crazy and sounds like a fishy marriage for a greencard when the wife won't share your expenses. You are eligible for any insurance that she is. If she has a family policy for her and kids, it may not be any additional if there is a spouse on it as well.

If you file separately, then your wife will take a hit on her separate taxes...several thousand dollars. So in the end, the penalty you don't pay costs her way more in taxes than what you saved. and if you are uninsured and get in a bad car wreck, a $250,000 medical bill is her responsibility because she sponsored your affidavit of support.

You are both being very short-sighted with failure to have insurance. And you are trying to find an angle to get out of it. Get a divorce, then you are poor and qualify for health insurance subsidy.

[Dantrolene 15]

Can I just apply for tax married but filing separately or is it a must to file joint ? I make around $6000 a year. In this case, the tax penalty is gonna be subjected to my income only, right ? I am going to travel for one month. Thinking of dopping my insurance in that month,,is that good idea or not ? Thank