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After years of anticipation, coverage on the new Obamacare marketplaces -- the centerpiece of the sweeping health care law that was passed in 2010 -- finally begins on Wednesday. The new, expanded version of Medicaid also goes into effect in some states, and new consumer protections kick in.
Wednesday is not only a milestone for Obamacare but also a day of reckoning: The start of coverage on the state-based marketplaces should shed light on whether the administration truly resolved one of the major technical problems that initially plagued HealthCare.gov, the federal site that serves as an Obamacare portal for 36 states. The opening of the marketplaces will also test some steps the administration is taking, with the help of the private sector, to make sure those who have signed up for insurance receive the coverage they’re expecting.
The next milestone is March 31. That's the end of the grace period for 2014. If you didn't get your insurance, there's still time, and you can avoid the fine for going without health insurance in 2014.
The fine for going without health insurance this year is $95 or 1 percent of an individual's taxable income -- whichever is higher. The fine will increase to $325 in 2015 and $695 in 2016.
Actually it is very important to point out that people need to APPLY by 3/15 for coverage to start 4/1. So 3/15 is really the date that is important to remember. Apply by 1/15 for 2/1, by 2/15 for 3/1 and the LAST day to apply for 2014 coverage is by 3/15 for 4/1....unless you have a special enrollment period.
The next milestone is March 31. That's the end of the grace period for 2014. If you didn't get your insurance, there's still time, and you can avoid the fine for going without health insurance in 2014.
The fine for going without health insurance this year is $95 or 1 percent of an individual's taxable income -- whichever is higher. The fine will increase to $325 in 2015 and $695 in 2016.
And if you don't have the money to pay the $95.00 are they going to
put you in jail and feed you three meals a day and give you free medical, dental, etc.
And if you don't have the money to pay the $95.00 are they going to
put you in jail and feed you three meals a day and give you free medical, dental, etc.
.
Don't know what the consequences of not paying the fine are.
Except that if you are in that situation, where you chose not to be insured, it means that you are not covered and will be responsible for paying the full amount for any medical care you receive.
Here's a story about a 20-year old that wound up in the hospital needing an appendectomy. It's called hospital bill sticker schock.
Quote:
When a 20-year-old man got over the pain of having his burst appendix removed in October, he got hit with a hospital bill he wasn't expecting.
The bill from Sutter General Hospital in Sacramento, Calif., said the total charges were $55,029.31 but that the patient owed only $11,119.23 because his insurance had covered the rest.
Shocked, the patient took to Reddit to post the bill and vent his frustrations.
Oh, yeah, those without insurance or inadequate insurance can get nailed. Hospitals can be ruthless in their collection efforts. Well documented in TIME's Bitter Pill story about a year ago. Not all will accept a cash settlement in compromise.
Oh, yeah, those without insurance or inadequate insurance can get nailed. Hospitals can be ruthless in their collection efforts. Well documented in TIME's Bitter Pill story about a year ago. Not all will accept a cash settlement in compromise.
Or the hospitals will write off the no pays as charity care.
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