I’m eligible for health benefits at work. However, unfortunately, I forgot to turn in my enrollment papers on time during the company open season, so now I’m not covered. Can I get policy in the Marketplace instead? Can I apply for subsidies?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

If you missed your opportunity to enroll in your employer plan during the company’s open enrollment season, you can still apply for coverage in the Marketplace during open enrollment. You can also apply for subsidies but you will have to provide information on the health coverage you are eligible for at work, even if you’re not enrolled in the plan. If the plan employer offered meets standards for affordability and minimum value, you will not be eligible for premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions.

Does my eligibility for COBRA or other continuation coverage affect my eligibility for premium tax credits or cost-sharing assistance in the Marketplace?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

No, Just being eligible for COBRA doesn’t affect your eligibility for premium tax credits or cost-sharing assistance if you enroll in a Marketplace plan.

I’m leaving my job and will be eligible for COBRA. Can I shop for coverage on the Marketplace instead?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

Yes, leaving your job and losing eligibility for job-based health coverage will trigger a special enrollment opportunity that lasts for 60 days. You can apply for Marketplace health plans during that period. If you enroll in COBRA coverage through your former employer, however, you will need to wait to the next Marketplace Open Enrollment period if you want to switch to a Marketplace plan.

I have COBRA and am finding it hard to afford, but Open Enrollment is over. Can I drop my COBRA and apply for non-group coverage outside of Open Enrollment?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

No, voluntarily dropping your COBRA coverage or ceasing to pay your COBRA premiums will not trigger a special enrollment opportunity. You will have to wait until you exhaust your COBRA coverage or until the next Open Enrollment (whichever comes first) to sign up for other non-group coverage.

I have COBRA and it’s too expensive. Can I drop it during Open Enrollment and enroll in a Marketplace plan instead?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

During Open Enrollment, you can sign up for a Marketplace plan even if you already have COBRA. You will have to drop your COBRA coverage effective on the date your new Marketplace plan coverage begins. After Open Enrollment ends, however, if you voluntarily drop your COBRA coverage or stop paying premiums, you will not be eligible for a special enrollment opportunity and will have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period. Only exhaustion of your COBRA coverage triggers a special enrollment opportunity.

My employer’s plan is grandfathered so it doesn’t cover preventive services. Can I shop for better coverage in the Marketplace if my job-based plan is grandfathered?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

You can always shop for coverage in the Marketplace. However, you can only apply for premium tax credits if your job-based plan – whether it is a grandfathered plan or not – is unaffordable or if it doesn’t meet minimum value. Whether your employer’s health plan meets minimum value will depend on a number of factors. The Marketplace application includes a form with questions about job-based coverage. You should take this form to your employer and has them to fill it out. With that information the Marketplace will determine whether the plan meets minimum value. If it doesn’t, you may be able to qualify for premium tax credits to help pay for Marketplace coverage.

The prescription drug benefit under my employer’s health plan only covers generic drugs. Does that mean it doesn’t have minimum value? Can I shop for better coverage and subsidies on the Marketplace?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

Whether your employer’s health plan meets minimum value will depend on a number of factors. Some employer plans might be able to meet the minimum value standard even if they don’t provide coverage for brand name prescription drugs. The Marketplace application includes a form with questions about job-based coverage. You should take this form to your employer and ask them to fill it out. With that information the Marketplace will determine whether the plan meets minimum value. If it doesn’t, you may be able to qualify for premium tax credits to help pay for Marketplace coverage.

My employer offers a health plan that covers preventive services and some other benefits, but it doesn’t cover inpatient hospital care (or only pays $100 per day for hospitalization). Because I’m offered this policy, does that mean I can’t qualify for subsidized coverage through the Marketplace?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

The standard for “minimum value” has been clarified to also require plans to provide substantial coverage for hospitalization and for physician care. The plan your employer offers would not meet this standard. If that is the only plan your employer offers to you, then you would be eligible to apply for Marketplace coverage with premium tax credits. However, if this so-called skinny plan is only one option offered to you, and if other plan choices offered to you by your employer do meet the “minimum value” standard and the affordability standard, then you would not be eligible for premium tax credits through the Marketplace.

I’m offered health benefits at work, but they’re not very good. I’m applying for better coverage and subsidies in the Marketplace. The application asks whether I’m offered job-based health coverage that meets minimum value. What does that mean?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

The term “minimum value” means that your job-based plan would cover at least 60% of an average group of people’s covered health costs. In addition, employer plans must provide substantial coverage for hospitalization and for physician care to meet the “minimum value” test. Most employer plans will meet this test, but some may not. The Marketplace application includes a form with questions about job-based coverage. You should take this form to your employer and ask them to fill it out. With that information the Marketplace will determine whether the plan meets minimum value. If it doesn’t, you may be able to qualify for premium tax credits to help pay for Marketplace coverage.

Apparently my family isn’t eligible for subsidies in the Marketplace because I am eligible for self-only coverage at work that is considered affordable and my family is also offered coverage but the cost of family coverage is not affordable. But we can’t afford to buy Marketplace coverage on our own. Will I have to pay a penalty because my family members are uninsured?

Written by Hummingbird Insurance on December 19, 2018. Posted in Frequently Asked Questions.

No. Starting in 2019, there is no tax penalty for not having health insurance.

Author: Hummingbird Insurance

I’m eligible for health benefits at work. However, unfortunately, I forgot to turn in my enrollment papers on time during the company open season, so now I’m not covered. Can I get policy in the Marketplace instead? Can I apply for subsidies?

Does my eligibility for COBRA or other continuation coverage affect my eligibility for premium tax credits or cost-sharing assistance in the Marketplace?

I’m leaving my job and will be eligible for COBRA. Can I shop for coverage on the Marketplace instead?

I have COBRA and am finding it hard to afford, but Open Enrollment is over. Can I drop my COBRA and apply for non-group coverage outside of Open Enrollment?

I have COBRA and it’s too expensive. Can I drop it during Open Enrollment and enroll in a Marketplace plan instead?

My employer’s plan is grandfathered so it doesn’t cover preventive services. Can I shop for better coverage in the Marketplace if my job-based plan is grandfathered?

The prescription drug benefit under my employer’s health plan only covers generic drugs. Does that mean it doesn’t have minimum value? Can I shop for better coverage and subsidies on the Marketplace?

I’m offered health benefits at work, but they’re not very good. I’m applying for better coverage and subsidies in the Marketplace. The application asks whether I’m offered job-based health coverage that meets minimum value. What does that mean?

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