Tax Deductions for Medical Expenses

Under the ACA you can take tax deductions for medical and dental expenses that exceed 10%* of your annual Adjusted Gross Income using a Form 1040, Schedule A. This includes deductions for most medical and dental costs for you, your spouse, and your dependents. Most people won’t take this deduction, but if you’ve had a… Read More

Facts on Deaths Due to Lack of Health Insurance in US

It’s estimated there are between 20,000 and 45,000 deaths a year due to lack of health insurance. Get the facts on mortality and health insurance in the US by reading our breakdown of past studies and reports below. The Uninsured and Mortality Rates A 2012 familiesUSA study shows that more than 130,000 Americans died between 2005… Read More

Vision Insurance

Affordable Care Act Vision Coverage Vision insurance generally isn’t covered under the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare).  However, pediatric eye care is a required benefit included on all plans that qualify as minimum essential coverage under the ACA. Even though adult vision coverage isn’t a required benefit of ObamaCare, “vision health” is still an important aspect… Read More

ObamaCare: 10 Million Strong and Growing

ObamaCare sign up numbers reach 10 million after a surge in Federal Marketplace enrollments. A February 2015 HHS report shows ObamaCare is working. Enrollment numbers have surpassed 10 million between the state and federal marketplaces. It also points out some other really cool and groundbreaking facts about the uninsured rate (updated with citations on March 18 2015)…. Read More

Employer Tax Credit Form 8941 and Instructions

Employers can get a Tax Credit for up to 50% of their contribution to employee premiums by filing Form 8941, Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums. Get detailed HTML based instructions on Form 8941 from the IRS, simplified instructions ObamaCare’s employer tax credit form can be found below. What is Form 8941, Credit for Small Employer Health Insurance Premiums?… Read More

ObamaCare Deficit and Debt

ObamaCare decreases the deficit and debt with cost controlling provisions and taxes, but subsidies, protections, and healthcare spending may result in more debt over the long term if no further changes are made. UPDATE 2019: This page was created in 2015, numbers have been revised since this was written. So the logic remains the same, but the specific numbers need to… Read More

How Does ObamaCare Control Costs?

Some say ObamaCare doesn’t do enough to control health care cost. Let’s look at how ObamaCare controls healthcare spending with cost controlling provisions. TIP: To find out what coverage under the Affordable Care Act will cost you, make sure to check out the healthcare.gov marketplace and find your cost after assistance is applied. Taxpayers are benefitting as… Read More

Platinum Plan

ObamaCare’s Platinum Plan is a type of Metal Plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Platinum Plans qualify for Tax Credits and have the highest premiums. Other Metal Plans include Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Also, a Catastrophic Plan is available to young adults and to some people with hardship exemptions. Platinum plans have the highest premiums and the lowest cost-sharing. They only make… Read More

Gold Plan

ObamaCare’s Gold Plan is a type of Metal Plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Gold Plans qualify for Tax Credits, have high premiums, and generous cost-sharing. Other Metal Plans include Bronze, Silver, and Platinum. Also, a Catastrophic Plan is available to young adults and to some people with hardship exemptions. Gold plans mean higher premiums, less Tax Credits, but much… Read More

Bronze Plan

ObamaCare’s Bronze Plan is a type of Metal Plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Bronze Plans qualify for Tax Credits and have low premiums. Other Metal Plans include Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Also a Catastrophic Plan is available to young adults and to some people with hardship exemptions. All plans offer basic benefits and minimum cost-sharing, Bronze Plans tend… Read More

Silver Plan

ObamaCare’s Silver Plan is a type of Metal Plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace. Silver Plans qualify for both Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing subsidies. Other Metal Plans include Bronze, Gold, and Platinum. Also, a Catastrophic Plan is available to young adults and to some people with hardship exemptions. HealthCare.Gov, or your state’s Marketplace in states that don’t… Read More

Tips for Getting the Best Health Plan

Here is a quick list of tips for getting the best health plan. No matter how you shop, this list will ensure you don’t over or under-buy health insurance. NOTE: Finding the best health plan for you and your family depends on your family size, income, needs, region, and more. The best plan for one… Read More

Should I Get Health Insurance?

Having Health Insurance means you are covered in an emergency. Not getting coverage could result in big fees for those who wait until taxes are due. Obtaining and maintaining health insurance isn’t just about avoiding a fee, it’s about taking responsibility for your health, knowing you have coverage when you need it, and avoiding the devastating… Read More

Factors that Affect Health Insurance Costs

Let’s take a look at factors that affect health insurance costs for premiums and cost sharing under ObamaCare, including Marketplace subsidies and Medicaid. ObamaCare helps ensure fair health insurance premiums (Sec. 2701), helps curb premium growth, and provides Tax Credits to lower premium costs. The ACA also includes measures to reduce out-of-pocket spending and curb national… Read More

Health Insurance Coinsurance

What is Health Insurance Coinsurance? In health insurance, coinsurance is your share of costs of the allowed amount for a covered service after you reach your deductible. Coinsurance is different from a copay which is a fixed dollar amount for services and is not typically dependent on meeting your deductible. How does Coinsurance Work? Each service or drug that is subject… Read More

Health Insurance Copay (Copayment)

What is a Health Insurance Copay? In health insurance a copay (copayment) is a fixed amount you pay for covered services, typically when you get the service. Copays differ from coinsurance (the percentage you pay for covered services, usually after reaching your deductible). Each plan treats copays and coinsurance differently, so it’s important to understand if… Read More

Catastrophic Health Plans

If you are under 30 or obtained a “hardship exemption” you qualify for a high deductible, low premium, catastrophic plan. Catastrophic health plans are the cheapest plan you can get that counts as minimum essential coverage. Catastrophic plans can be good for those who want cheap, barebones care. Catastrophic plans tend to trade a low… Read More

How to Compare Health Plans

Learn how to compare health plans to get the best deals on health insurance and health care. Compare your health needs with your plans costs and coverage, to find an affordable plan with benefits that are designed to cover you. No matter how you shop, and boy are there a lot of different options under… Read More

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