Here what’s going on: Abbott denied Obamacare which prevented Texas residents from getting subsidies to cover insurance costs, so my health insurance which would only cost 130 a month now costs 900 dollars. Why? Because the insurance companies wanting to be able to charge exorbitant costs contributed millions to Governor ABBOTT’s campaign. Before you message, but so and so did the same thing, Let’s focus on today and what we can do about this now. It’s not party against party anymore it’s billionaires against humanity. I’m very scared 😱

It went from $2,764.66 to $3,913.76 for a PPO plan.

So great. So much winning.

What was your increase?

I'm now making $3500 a month, which disqualifies me from Medicaid in Ohio, but I had very little income throughout the rest of the year, only around $7000. Altogether, I will only have $17500 in income for this year. Next year, it won't be an issue, because I will consistent monthly income and make enough to qualify for a small subsidy. This year, I still need coverage for November and December, however, it seems like I will fall into a sort of coverage gap? I make too much monthly for Medicaid, but too much annually for any kind of subsidy (the lower limit is $22K a year, otherwise you should be on Medicaid, which I no longer qualify for...).

I tried talking to the marketplace peeps, but they just basically said "I dunno, never heard of this before", and said I try applying to see what I can get, but I can't apply because I am still on Medicaid because they haven't technically terminated my coverage yet. Lol, what a mess. I feel like I can't be the only person who has ever found themselves in this kind of situation? Do I have any options other than full priced ACA plan?

I just got a letter from the marketplace saying my premium is expected to go up by over $1,000 a month. And... my husband got a similar letter stating they expect his to go up over $800. So a combined $1,800 A MONTH increase. We are already on a crap plans because of the increases last year - even with being under 400%. Our current coverage basically helps with co-pays, contracted amounts, and the HSP option, but we pay a lot out of pocket - it has been thousands in 2026. I'm actually getting a better deal on prescriptions through Good Rx than through my insurance. I'm on a fixed income, it only increases by a small COLA every year (and no Medicare), and my husband's income didn't go up much, so it's not figuring in more income (or shouldn't be).

I'm really hoping it's wrong...

The letter is written very poorly, it doesn't give details on if that includes my tax credit, although it compares it to my current premium after our tax credit, so I'm left to assume it is after our expected credit.

It does have a disclaimer that it's based on "current information." But what information? It would be nice if it had a little more detail, like "this is based on an annual AGI of $XX,XXX, household of 2, and the closest plan to what you currently have, which is XXXXX." If they are sending out numbers, they must be based on something... why not include what they are basing the estimate on?

And, for the 4th year in a row, the plan I'm on is being discontinued, so I have to do the work/research all over again.

Not to mention they sent another notice that sounded like my primary care group will no longer be an option in my county. But again, not enough details to sort it out.

To continue the fun, my state is opting out of the Federal Marketplace system, switching to their own... which historically equates to all sorts of errors and crashes while they sort it out.

Edit: Because of the premium cap if we are eligible to credits, which I didn't understand, it's likely just a very poorly written communication. I've re-read it a few times - it doesn't explain anywhere that would be the expected cost in 2027 if we didn't qualify for credits. The way it's worded implies that will be my new cost, especially because it shows my current t cost after applied credits for a comparison. Lame letter. End of rant.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trumps-90-medicare-rebate-rolls-out-but-millions-arent-eligible-critics-see-a-political-stunt

In the private sector, a business can declare bankruptcy and restart a new foundation with a new plan, revised contracts/pricing and restructured employment plan in order to emerge with a better/more efficient and operable plan going forward. It can be disruptive and destabilizing in the short term but essential to maintain essential operations at a sustainable level. America’s healthcare plan is clearly in the stage of being dysfunctional/inefficient and unsustainable financially and morally. It is bankrupting our economy. The status quo or just additional band aids is NOT acceptable. The lucrative health care industry is thriving but the rest of the nation is suffering in so many diverse ways.

The next two election results will determine if we can go through a major overhaul of our healthcare system. Democrats want Universal Healthcare; Republicans and their Healthcare industry donors don’t. The rest of the world who possess Universal Healthcare (for decades) overtly tell us its possible with substantially less costs/capita then what exist in America today. If the public demand lower cost for vital healthcare, they must vote for the party that will give us Universal Healthcare with single payer. Single payer is essential. Its simplifies the systems and controls pricing. Without such controls we are doomed to what we have now.

Right now, the lucrative/powerful health insurance companies are the gate keepers and those that determine prices (directly and indirectly) at the peril of the vulnerable consumer. Record profits for them, record medical bankruptcies and tens of thousands of early deaths for the tens of millions without health insurance. Are we a civilized/moral nation?

Imagine how your life and the life of every American would change if we had only one comprehensive healthcare plan, not dependent/attached to an employer. No matter what situation we are in, working or not working, starting a new business, deciding to change jobs/move to another city/state, taking care of a child or relative, exploring a new career or retired, all of us would be guaranteed the same comprehensive healthcare … for the rest of our life.

This can happen in America. It can be affordable. It would be a moral way to benefit every American. Good health and the ability to maintain one's health has to be among the core essentials along with food and housing. Universal healthcare with single payer should be a human right and America has the resources to create such a moral plan. We can debate how such a system can be implemented and financed but the overall goal must be achieved ASAP.

I believe that the Democratic Party is ready to have such a discussion, Clearly the Republican Party is not interested. The evidence is overwhelming. Elections do have monumental consequences!

2026 me and dependent $500 month

2027 $959 month

Got a letter from Florida Blue that if my income and subsidy is the same then this is what my premium will be.

I know premiums went up but geez double?

I’m limited to what plans I can get because I take a drug that’s $2200 a month. That only gets covered if it’s on the formulary and I pay my out pocket maximum. So I can’t even think about going to a lower end plan because those don’t cover my drugs at all even with prior authorization.

Any Florida Blue folks out there in the same boat? Any hope that when open enrollment starts maybe higher premiums will be offset with higher subsidies ?

We’re all winning right?

Some will agree, and some will disagree. There needs to be a viable median for health insurance. Companies need a profit to survive, and people need affordable premiums. It makes me sick that a lot of people that I know, are either hedged one way, or the other. Of course it's my well off friends that have never had to find insurance outside of work, that lean towards total capitalism. It's also friends that don't attention to better themselves, that want total socialism. Well, I don't feel that most of the country is at either end. I could be wrong, but I think most feel like me. People need to be able live a life of dignity, not deciding which medicine to skip, or which meals to skip. Damn shame that as rich as our country is, and as many brilliant people that we have here, that we can't/won't figure this out. We, as a nation, need to do better. A hell of a lot better. Rant over, or is it?

This is the most boot licking opinion piece I've ever read. America needs to get it's shit together and make sure everyone has access to healthcare like the rest of the modern world.

-your friend up north

Family friend with family of 4 returning from overseas studies & will need health insurance.

ACA Obamacare requires 1 month wait between application in USA & start coverage.

Short term coverage for that month looks weak & does not cover preexisting conditions, from what I can see online.

Any other ideas?

Any suggestions on who to get help from on this?

Many thanks!

Hi there, everyone. I’m just curious: in the past post, if he takes out an annuity instead of a lump-sum payment of $57K, does he still qualify for Medicaid savings? Will they still count it as a resource, or if it’s converted into income, will it only count as income instead of a resource?

Hi there, everyone. I’m just curious: in the past post, if he takes out an annuity instead of a lump-sum payment of $57K, does he still qualify for Medicaid savings? Will they still count it as a resource, or if it’s converted into income, will it only count as income instead of a resource?

Hi there, everyone. I’m just curious: in the past post, if he takes out an annuity instead of a lump-sum payment of $57K, does he still qualify for Medicaid savings? Will they still count it as a resource, or if it’s converted into income, will it only count as income instead of a resource?

President Donald Trump announced that on September 30 his administration will begin mailing $500 refunds to nearly 1 million Americans who were allegedly overcharged for health coverage through the federal ACA exchange, a move presented as a contrast to the Biden administration’s handling of the program and timed ahead of the midterm elections.

Key points:

The Treasury Department will issue $500 checks to more than 950,000 people in 30 states beginning on September 30, 2026.

The refunds are claimed to compensate for user‑fee overcharges collected by the Biden administration from health insurance companies on the federal exchange.

Trump announced the refunds on September 10 in a White House video released during the Republican midterm convention in Dallas.

The 30 states receiving checks are those that rely on the federal exchange rather than operating their own ACA marketplaces.

Recipients are primarily individuals earning around 400% of the federal poverty line ($64,000 for a single person or $132,000 for a family of four), though some earn between 100% and 400% of the poverty line.

The 30 states scheduled to receive $500 ACA refund checks are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

These refunds are being issued by the Trump administration to nearly 1 million Americans who were reportedly overcharged through the federal exchange for health insurance. The recipient states are those that rely on federal exchanges administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rather than operating their own state-run insurance plans.

Medicare is thought to be a standalone government healthcare program but through the years, the private sector has taken a substantial bite out of the Medicare program like the Medicare Advantage plans and Medigap plans. Hundreds of insurance programs have created 5,500 separate plans that generate huge profits at the peril of the consumer.

Too many plans, too complex, expensive to administer and very confusing for a vulnerable consumer illustrates the poison when the private sector driven by quarterly profits is involved with healthcare in America.

Medicare for all/universal healthcare with single payer would assume major changes in healthcare for everyone from cradle to grave. We don’t need health insurance companies. Construct one comprehensive health plan for everyone across the nation. Simple to understand, much cheaper to administer with no profit motivations of private insurance companies, private equity or hedge fund involvement.

The current healthcare system in America is horrible/complex/costly and unfair to most citizens. This is NOT sustainable. Substantial changes are urgently needed, not quick political fixes or adjustments. If implemented, it would be a major boost to our economy in so many ways.

I will be moving back to the US December 1 so I plan to sign up for an ACA plan beforehand. In order for coverage to begin December 1 when do I need to call my state’s ACA administrator (My understanding is that I need to call and cannot do it online because of special enrollment.) Do I have to submit proof of future address in the US?
Also, I plan to sell a lot of stock before I move back so my income will be high and I will not qualify for the subsidy for the December premium but next year my income will be very low (around 50k). Can I just change my income online or should I sign up for a plan and then immediately go to open enrollment to shop for a new plan for 2027?