After resigning my job for medical reasons while on my 8th month of medical leave, I elected COBRA for the last few months. The COBRA cost me 694.00 per month in premiums for just me, but since I had already reached my out of pocket cap, I decided to keep it until the end of December.
I started researching the plans available on the ACA Marketplace for the state of Arizona for 2018. The cheapest Bronze plan premium is 677.82 with a 7000.00 deductible and a 7000.00 out of pocket cap. The plan is not good, covers little and has a small provider list. It appears, there is only 1 insurer in my state.
Because I have to have insurance in 2018 to avoid a fine, I filled out an application online. When asked for my 2018 MAGI (income), I correctly listed 0, because the Federal marketplace MAGI does not include non-taxable long term disability benefits as income. As a result of my income being 0, I am not eligible for a premium tax credit and I am forced to apply for Medicaid. The Medicaid program in the state of Arizona counts non-taxable long term disability benefits as income. My income from long term disability is way too high to qualify for Medicaid in the state of Arizona.
I looked up the rules for the hardship exemption. The Premium must be over 8.13% of one's income after tax credits. I have applied for the exemption.
My other option might be to move, as I would qualify for Medicaid in California because they do not include non-taxable long term disability in the MAGI for Medi-Cal.
Has anyone else encountered this situation?
I started researching the plans available on the ACA Marketplace for the state of Arizona for 2018. The cheapest Bronze plan premium is 677.82 with a 7000.00 deductible and a 7000.00 out of pocket cap. The plan is not good, covers little and has a small provider list. It appears, there is only 1 insurer in my state.
Because I have to have insurance in 2018 to avoid a fine, I filled out an application online. When asked for my 2018 MAGI (income), I correctly listed 0, because the Federal marketplace MAGI does not include non-taxable long term disability benefits as income. As a result of my income being 0, I am not eligible for a premium tax credit and I am forced to apply for Medicaid. The Medicaid program in the state of Arizona counts non-taxable long term disability benefits as income. My income from long term disability is way too high to qualify for Medicaid in the state of Arizona.
I looked up the rules for the hardship exemption. The Premium must be over 8.13% of one's income after tax credits. I have applied for the exemption.
My other option might be to move, as I would qualify for Medicaid in California because they do not include non-taxable long term disability in the MAGI for Medi-Cal.
Has anyone else encountered this situation?
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