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Unfortunately this completely depends on how the state implements the subsidies. For a family of 4 in my state, $50k will get you a $0/month Bronze plan or $150

Unfortunately this completely depends on how the state implements the subsidies. For a family of 4 in my state, $50k will get you a $0/month Bronze plan or $1500-2000/month for the Silver or Gold plans. As far as I can tell the only benefit for the Silver and Gold plans is that you pay for your care ahead of time so it seems like you are paying less for each visit.

toast0 7y ago
From my recent plan shopping in Washington state, the silver and gold plans looked like they might save you money if you were likely to use a lot of services, but not hit the out of pocket max (i seem to recall out of pocket max plus premiums was pretty close for all the plans); it felt like silver and gold might cover a couple things bronze didn't, but it's pretty hard to actually compare these things, because you have to go through so many layers of plan documentation, much of which isn't easily obtainable.
- guidoism 7y ago
  The situation is absurd. healthcare.gov is supposed to help us figure out what's best but you can't export any of their info. I have to hand-create a spreadsheet every year using information from the that website in html form and then for the plans that look promising I have to go into multiple PDFs and pull out information. It's all so opaque. It's even more difficult in my case because I can decide on my income ahead of time since it's almost all capital gains. The only way to see how the plans change when your income changes is to delete your current application and resubmit it, fortunately the info is all still there. But you still have to repeat the html and pdf -> spreadsheet process. It's become very helpful to understand cutoffs like 200% FPL and 218% and 400% and concentrate around there. I'm happy for ACA as it allows me to contribute to the industry outside the confines of a medium or large company, but it’s clear that the whole healthcare system needs to be burnt to the ground eventually.
  - jjeaff 7y ago
    There is a "compare" function. But I think you can only compare 3 or 4 at a time. But in many cases, I think silver is the sweetspot for anyone who plans to use a moderate amount of healthcare. Bronze if you just want catastrophic coverage. The plans above bronze rarely offer much benefit for the price. I would focus on comparing all the silver plans.
TurkishPoptart 7y ago
Now there's a great reason to remain single.
- guidoism 7y ago
  Not sure if you are joking or not. 218% of FPL is $56,135 for a family of four and only $27,228 for a single person. What this means is that you can make up to that amount and get a huge subsidy, basically giving you free insurance.
  - jjeaff 7y ago
    What is the significance of the 218%? My understanding is that in non-medicare expansion states, subsidies start at 100% fpl (below that and you have to get on Medicaid) all the way up to 400% of fpl reducing to nothing but the time you hit 400%. In Medicare expansion states, subsidies start at 134% of fpl.

toast0 7y ago

From my recent plan shopping in Washington state, the silver and gold plans looked like they might save you money if you were likely to use a lot of services, but not hit the out of pocket max (i seem to recall out of pocket max plus premiums was pretty close for all the plans); it felt like silver and gold might cover a couple things bronze didn't, but it's pretty hard to actually compare these things, because you have to go through so many layers of plan documentation, much of which isn't easily obtainable.

guidoism 7y ago
The situation is absurd. healthcare.gov is supposed to help us figure out what's best but you can't export any of their info. I have to hand-create a spreadsheet every year using information from the that website in html form and then for the plans that look promising I have to go into multiple PDFs and pull out information. It's all so opaque. It's even more difficult in my case because I can decide on my income ahead of time since it's almost all capital gains. The only way to see how the plans change when your income changes is to delete your current application and resubmit it, fortunately the info is all still there. But you still have to repeat the html and pdf -> spreadsheet process. It's become very helpful to understand cutoffs like 200% FPL and 218% and 400% and concentrate around there. I'm happy for ACA as it allows me to contribute to the industry outside the confines of a medium or large company, but it’s clear that the whole healthcare system needs to be burnt to the ground eventually.
- jjeaff 7y ago
  There is a "compare" function. But I think you can only compare 3 or 4 at a time. But in many cases, I think silver is the sweetspot for anyone who plans to use a moderate amount of healthcare. Bronze if you just want catastrophic coverage. The plans above bronze rarely offer much benefit for the price. I would focus on comparing all the silver plans.

TurkishPoptart 7y ago

Now there's a great reason to remain single.

guidoism 7y ago
Not sure if you are joking or not. 218% of FPL is $56,135 for a family of four and only $27,228 for a single person. What this means is that you can make up to that amount and get a huge subsidy, basically giving you free insurance.
- jjeaff 7y ago
  What is the significance of the 218%? My understanding is that in non-medicare expansion states, subsidies start at 100% fpl (below that and you have to get on Medicaid) all the way up to 400% of fpl reducing to nothing but the time you hit 400%. In Medicare expansion states, subsidies start at 134% of fpl.