The Affordable Care Act - Getting yourself health care

[Jen and Mikey 13]

I posted this information on another section here and was advised that I should create another topic in this forum as well... and maybe get it pinned.

A lot of people that are moving here may have questions regarding their Health Care and what options they have.

I work for the Marketplace and thought I'd share some important links for you all to look through.

This is NOT for a political conversation, it is for people who are legitimately interested in what to do about health care.

Who can use the Marketplace

https://www.healthca...he-marketplace/

You have to be legally here. We will ask you for proof

Cost-Sharing (lowering out of pocket costs)

https://www.healthca...f-pocket-costs/

Advance Premium Tax Credit (lowering your monthly premiums)

https://www.healthca...nthly-premiums/

Estimate what you're plans could be

https://www.healthca...mium-estimates/

Keep in mind some states have their own Marketplaces/Exchanges. If your state does, it will show you where to go

Employer based coverage

https://www.healthca...alth-insurance/

How to apply

https://www.healthca...place-coverage/

The website (as you most probably know) has glitches. It works perfectly for some and others are riddled with issues. I see improvements every day. If you have issues online, call and we'll do it for you right then and there.

Hope this helps you out a lil bit.

[christeen 966]

Hope others read these links to get info... Recently, frie d found plan (silver) with $25 primary care dr., $1,600 deductible, $15 Rx for $420 a month for her and hubby... She qualified based n her income for a $300 monthly credit which she applied to her deductible, so her monthly insurance cost is $120 a month... She is so happy to finally have insurance as her big box employer does not give her enough hours...

[bob121346 0]

Jen and Mikey -- or anybody:

But will accepting a subsidy through ACA violate our I-864 sponsor agreement?

Bob

Hackettstown, NJ

[christeen 966]

Jen and Mikey -- or anybody:

But will accepting a subsidy through ACA violate our I-864 sponsor agreement?

Bob

Hackettstown, NJ

No it will not violate the 864... Here is a link to the provision

http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/11/ImmigrantAccess/Coverage/ib.shtml

Look at page which covers the subsidies and it details who is eligible and the aca

[Jen and Mikey 13]

Bob I responded and then came here to see if there had been any movement.

I see that christeen posted a link.

I didn't think that it would be an issue.

[indiana_sweetie 120]

Jen and Mikey, thanks for posting this. There is a lot of misinformation out there and we really need to have the straight facts. FYI---I am going through the sign-up process, and yes, they asked for proof that my husband is here legally. They also asked for proof that my insurance through the state of Indiana is ending (it is because Indiana decided to shrink Medicaid). I scanned the documents and submitted the scans online. There is a link for that, makes it quick and easy.

I have not looked at plans yet, but hubby and I will EACH receive a tax credit that we can use to pay for our plans, making them affordable. I don't know what the deductibles will be as yet, like I said, I haven't looked---waiting to resolve the "issues" mentioned above.

[bob121346 0]

Thank you for replying (Jen and Mikey -- and Christeen). I already saw the aspe.hhs.gov page that Christeen sent and yes, it seems to indicate that it's OK to accept financial aid through ACA. The problem I have is that it is not specific enough. I really need to see something to reassure me (and my wife, of course!) that accepting this financial aid will not kick in the provisions of my I-864 sponsor contract regarding "covered means-tested public benefits."

I just this moment got off the phone with a USCIS officer who advised me, based on my personal financial situation, not to accept any subsidy through ACA. He, himself, did not have any document to refer to. He based his comment on his understanding of how ACA subsidies might work AND my financial situation as sponsor (I have small income--about $20,000/yr--and was probably accepted as sponsor solely on the basis of my retirement savings, which are pretty substantial).

So if anyone else is looking for an answer to this question, I can't say that I have a definite answer. I'm not even sure I agree with the immigration officer I just spoke to, but I may go along with his suggestion if I can't get a definite "yes" answer from anyone else. I'm currently checking via https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/ (I've contacted a local healthcare provider which I found through the Local Help feature on the ACA web site). Will post here if this avenue gives me that definite "yes" answer.

Bob

[christeen 966]

Thank you for replying (Jen and Mikey -- and Christeen). I already saw the aspe.hhs.gov page that Christeen sent and yes, it seems to indicate that it's OK to accept financial aid through ACA. The problem I have is that it is not specific enough. I really need to see something to reassure me (and my wife, of course!) that accepting this financial aid will not kick in the provisions of my I-864 sponsor contract regarding "covered means-tested public benefits."

I just this moment got off the phone with a USCIS officer who advised me, based on my personal financial situation, not to accept any subsidy through ACA. He, himself, did not have any document to refer to. He based his comment on his understanding of how ACA subsidies might work AND my financial situation as sponsor (I have small income--about $20,000/yr--and was probably accepted as sponsor solely on the basis of my retirement savings, which are pretty substantial).

So if anyone else is looking for an answer to this question, I can't say that I have a definite answer. I'm not even sure I agree with the immigration officer I just spoke to, but I may go along with his suggestion if I can't get a definite "yes" answer from anyone else. I'm currently checking via https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/ (I've contacted a local healthcare provider which I found through the Local Help feature on the ACA web site). Will post here if this avenue gives me that definite "yes" answer.

Bob

The person you spoke with is mis-informed... The ACA and its justification is considered is a TAX and thus any subsidies are a matter of taxation (look at supreme count decision) and is considered a tax credit and is not in violation of the 864 as it is not technically a "benefit" but a tax credit. There is a lot of uncertainty out there (yes, even by uscis.. Surprise) ...

[indiana_sweetie 120]

The person you spoke with is mis-informed... The ACA and its justification is considered is a TAX and thus any subsidies are a matter of taxation (look at supreme count decision) and is considered a tax credit and is not in violation of the 864 as it is not technically a "benefit" but a tax credit. There is a lot of uncertainty out there (yes, even by uscis.. Surprise) ...

That is my understanding as well....about the tax thing. Before obamacare I was looking to see if I could get my hubby on the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), which I am on until the end of this year (because I'm self-employed and was unable to by insurance for myself). HIP is state-sponsored expanded Medicaid (I paid monthly premiums). Anyway, long story short...Medicaid....not for immigrants here less than 5 years...at least in the state of Indiana. They allow them to buy into an emergency hospital indemnity plan BUT they report any usage of it to the USCIS! Obamacare is different, it is not Medicaid nor is it expanded Medicaid.

[bob121346 0]

Christeen,

I appreciate your response and suspect you may be right I but would like to know where you got this info before I go ahead and accept any benefits. (Should I try to convince my wife by having her phone you? Just kidding!) Also might add that in NJ, ACA offers both tax credits and cost sharing benefits. Do you know anything about the cost sharing benefits? Are they allowed to us? What source can I go to for this info as well?

Thanks,

Bob

[christeen 966]

Here are some references

From healthcare.gov

https://www.healthcare.gov/what-do-immigrant-families-need-to-know/

https://www.healthcare.gov/immigration-status-and-the-marketplace/

[christeen 966]

Other references

http://www.mdhealthcarereform.org/storage/pdfs-and-docs/ImmigrantEligibilityACA4.19.13.pdf

http://www.nilc.org/immigrantshcr.html

[indiana_sweetie 120]

ahhh look here....this is something I wanted to know as well...referenced from the link above - https://www.healthcare.gov/what-do-immigrant-families-need-to-know/

"Applying for Medicaid or CHIP, or getting help with health insurance costs in the Marketplace, does not make someone a “public charge.” It will not affect someone’s chances of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident or U.S. citizen. The one exception is for people receiving long-term care in an institution at government expense. These people may face barriers getting a green card."

[OnThePath87 2]

ahhh look here....this is something I wanted to know as well...referenced from the link above - https://www.healthcare.gov/what-do-immigrant-families-need-to-know/

"Applying for Medicaid or CHIP, or getting help with health insurance costs in the Marketplace, does not make someone a “public charge.” It will not affect someone’s chances of becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident or U.S. citizen. The one exception is for people receiving long-term care in an institution at government expense. These people may face barriers getting a green card."

Sorry to drag up an old thread but this is the top ranked thread on google for this topic and I would hate to think it could mislead someone.

Just to be clear, according to the above if you use Medicaid or CHIP you do not become a public charge and it will not affect your chances of becoming a permanent resident. While this may be true, this does not change the fact that Medicaid or CHIP are "Means tested benefits" and receipt of such benefits may make your sponsor liable to reimburse the federal government.

Please be aware that there is a difference between being a "public charge" and using means tested benefits.

Edited August 23, 2016 by OnThePath87

[TBoneTX 45,291]

Yes, old thread, now closed to further comment.