The Connector board approved a final set of rules today about who will have to buy health insurance. These tables show what is considered affordable health coverage for low to moderate income individuals. Here’s on example….a 40 year old woman named Sally lives in Boston and earns $50,000 dollars a year. Sally will be required to have health insurance if she can find a plan that costs $235 a month or less. If she can’t find coverage at that price or less, Sally will not be required to buy health coverage. The formula changes if Sally moves to Central or Western Masachusetts or to the Cape and Islands, because the price of health insurance varies depending on where you live.
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It helps to ge the data right. An individual with an income of $50,000 (and not $50,000.01) will have to buy insurance if the premium is $300 (three hundred) a month or less – NOT $235. The premium tables are just the numbers they used to calculate the afforability of premiums at various income levels.
Read the regs – they haven’t changed since the draft.
Of course, a 40 year old may or may not br able to find such a plan. A 45 year old will likely not. A 50 year old will probably not. A 55 year old and up will definitely not.
1/2 the uninsured are OVER 37.
Ann,
You make great points. Yes, the Affordability Schedule says that Sally ought to be able to afford up to $300/month in premium costs. Since she lives in Boston, the lowest cost plan available to her (right now) is for $235/month, according to the Premium Schedule; therefore, she is required to purchase.
There are indeed differences in available plans based on geography and age. We, too, are concerned about older folks finding access to affordable coverage.
Also concerning is the confusion around the use of the Affordability and Premium schedules. We’ll all need some good training materials and practice to help the public understand the requirements for the individual mandate.
Thanks, Martha!
Lindsey Tucker
Health Care For All
Ann,
You make excellent points. I think that it is important to note that based on the current situation in the market, the price of these policies will rise between 8-10% each year. So, once the insurance companies have everyone “hooked” they’ll bleed us dry!
Ron Norton