# Ask the Guy who successfully enrolled in Obamacare on the healthcare.gov website **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 5, 2013, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183 "2013-11-05T21:49:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/21 "2013-11-06T00:09:22Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Assuming she has no dependents, that means she’s making at least $45,960 a year, which means she’s doing better than the overwhelming majority of the rest of the country. It should be noted that income for the purposes of determining eligibility for the tax credit is not gross income, it is [Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)](http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/healthcare/MAGI_summary13.pdf), which can be considerably less than your gross salary. It was in my case. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/22 "2013-11-06T00:21:09Z")
> [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > OP: Have you had a chance to evaluate the size of the provider network? Update: There are 545 primary care physicians in network within 20 miles of me. > **[Find Care & Estimate Costs for Doctors Near You | Anthem.com](https://www.anthem.com/find-care/?qs=*9%2FNOGT%2FcmG%2BJGsHqgmHEaQ==&brand=abcbs)** > > Find care near you from an in-network Anthem provider. Plus, receive estimated costs based on your plan and where you live. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/23 "2013-11-06T00:21:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Assuming she has no dependents, that means she’s making at least $45,960 a year, which means she’s doing better than the overwhelming majority of the rest of the country. > > It also means that her monthly net income is in the neighborhood of $3000. > > You’ll forgive me if I don’t exactly weep for her. I’m a supporter of ACA, but I’m actually a bit surprised at those numbers. I’m 38 and I’m with Blue Cross Blue Shield, and my insurance payments for myself are lower than $270/month and I only have a $3500 deductible. When I was 30, for a similar deductible, my costs were about $120/month. I’m actually surprised that a $6000 deductible plan for a 30-year old would cost $270/month. Even now, with my BCBS insurance rates going up a little bit because of ACA apparently, it’s not that high, and I’m 8 years older with a lower deductible than that. ETA: And I have a 100/0 plan. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/24 "2013-11-06T00:25:11Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > When was the last time you had an individual health insurance policy? How old are you? For someone my age (59), $600 is low, even without the subsidy, and has been for at least five years. If you are relatively young, your policy will be much less than $600. I am 26, I have a policy today, $200 / month for a $4500 annual out of pocket maximum. It looks like I will be paying around the same amount monthly for around a $5000 annual OOPM under Obamacare, or significantly more for a lower OOPM. There are not even any policies offered on the exchange for me that have a $1,500 AOOPM. They start at over $3,000. > [@Shakes](#): > > You’re not a victim. If you can’t afford insurance premiums because you’re starting a business, your business model is not up to par. Your opinion that any business model not immediately, immensely profitable from inception is “not up to par” is fascinating. Perhaps you might share the experience and knowledge from whence you made this proclamation? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/25 "2013-11-06T00:32:43Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > I don’t think you know how “starting a business” works. They very rarely churn out money right out of the gate. Overwhelmingly, there’s a 2-3 year period where you’re not actively making a profit it all. I know because I also went through this. Yes, I know this. Starting a business is hard. It’s not for everyone. If you can’t step up to the challenge of paying your insurance premiums while starting up a business, then maybe you’re better off working for someone else rather than yourself. > [@Bone](#): > > Does this sentiment hold regarding people’s life model for those that need subsidies to acquire insurance? Yes and no. I believe people should live with in their means. People who work an honest 40hrs a week and are barely able to get by deserve subsidized health care. People who waste their money on cars they can’t afford and deluxe premium cable packages… not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/26 "2013-11-06T00:52:16Z")
Did you look into the gold plans available? Do you recall any details about what they would have cost for you and how much better the coverage is? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/27 "2013-11-06T00:55:29Z")
Let’s see. I am guessing you got Anthem Anthem Silver DirectAccess - cbcm NH (at least that was the highest-premium Silver plan in NH on [healthcare.gov](http://healthcare.gov)). Let’s look at it [http://www.valuepenguin.com/health-insurance/NH/anthem-anthem-silver-directaccess-cbcm](http://www.valuepenguin.com/health-insurance/NH/anthem-anthem-silver-directaccess-cbcm) Deductible: $3250 Out of Pocket Maximum: $5000 Co-pay for Primary Physician: $40 Doesn’t quite square with what you posted, does it? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/28 "2013-11-06T01:03:04Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Let’s see. I am guessing you got Anthem Anthem Silver DirectAccess - cbcm NH (at least that was the highest-premium Silver plan in NH on [healthcare.gov](http://healthcare.gov)). > > Let’s look at it [http://www.valuepenguin.com/health-insurance/NH/anthem-anthem-silver-directaccess-cbcm](http://www.valuepenguin.com/health-insurance/NH/anthem-anthem-silver-directaccess-cbcm) > > Deductible: $3250 > Out of Pocket Maximum: $5000 > Co-pay for Primary Physician: $40 > > Doesn’t quite square with what you posted, does it? The OP had three Silver plans to choose from. You chose…poorly. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/29 "2013-11-06T01:03:09Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Did you look into the gold plans available? Do you recall any details about what they would have cost for you and how much better the coverage is? I did. As I recall, the main difference was they were multi-state plans, with a much larger network. I didn’t look at the details, but they were about twice as expensive, but the deductibles were the same or higher. Unfortunately, I haven’t figured out how to go back and look at them. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/30 "2013-11-06T01:18:34Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Let’s see. I am guessing you got Anthem Anthem Silver DirectAccess - cbcm NH (at least that was the highest-premium Silver plan in NH on [healthcare.gov](http://healthcare.gov)). > > Let’s look at it [http://www.valuepenguin.com/health-insurance/NH/anthem-anthem-silver-directaccess-cbcm](http://www.valuepenguin.com/health-insurance/NH/anthem-anthem-silver-directaccess-cbcm) > > Deductible: $3250 > Out of Pocket Maximum: $5000 > Co-pay for Primary Physician: $40 > > Doesn’t quite square with what you posted, does it? Nope. It does not. [This is what I signed up for.](http://www.acsalaska.net/~fmurtley/Anthem_Silver.GIF) ---
**Author:** ![MN\_Maenad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@MN\_Maenad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MN_Maenad)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/31 "2013-11-06T01:33:26Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > That’s delightful. I am starting a business and there is no way I could afford a $600 / month health insurance premium. But I make just a little bit too much money to qualify for any subsidy. I’m confused as to how you’re simultaneously starting a business and have no money, and are making too much to get a subsidy under ACA. Care to clarify? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/32 "2013-11-06T01:37:04Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Nope. It does not. [This is what I signed up for.](http://www.acsalaska.net/~fmurtley/Anthem_Silver.GIF) [http://www.nh.gov/insurance/consumers/documents/silver\_da.pdf](http://www.nh.gov/insurance/consumers/documents/silver_da.pdf) Deductible: $3,250 per person for In Network - does not apply to Copayments, and Preventive Care. Out of Pocket Limit: $5,000 per person for In Network etc etc. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/33 "2013-11-06T01:38:05Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > The OP had three Silver plans to choose from. You chose…poorly. I actually guessed the exact plan that he chose. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/34 "2013-11-06T01:38:39Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [http://www.nh.gov/insurance/consumers/documents/silver\_da.pdf](http://www.nh.gov/insurance/consumers/documents/silver_da.pdf) > > Deductible: $3,250 per person for In Network - does not apply to Copayments, and Preventive Care. > > Out of Pocket Limit: $5,000 per person for In Network > etc etc. So how do you explain the difference between your cites, and what I enrolled in? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/35 "2013-11-06T01:40:06Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So how do you explain the difference between your cites, and what I enrolled in? The enormous ($10K or so) handout you’re mooching from the government. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/36 "2013-11-06T01:41:54Z")
> [@MN\_Maenad](#): > > I’m confused as to how you’re simultaneously starting a business and have no money, and are making too much to get a subsidy under ACA. Care to clarify? I found this one a bit of a puzzler also. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/37 "2013-11-06T01:42:23Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > The enormous ($10K or so) handout you’re mooching from the government. Actually, it a little over $7100. That takes some of the sting out, don’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/38 "2013-11-06T01:50:48Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Actually, it a little over $7100. That takes some of the sting out, don’t it? Check that, bad math. 12 x 486 = $5832 ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/39 "2013-11-06T02:17:04Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Check that, bad math. 12 x 486 = $5832 That’s only counting the premiums. The hugely reduced deductibles and OOP expenses bring it to a round $10K mooch. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183/40 "2013-11-06T02:39:04Z")
> [@MN\_Maenad](#): > > I’m confused as to how you’re simultaneously starting a business and have no money, and are making too much to get a subsidy under ACA. Care to clarify? I didn’t say I have no money. I’m making a little over $50k gross, which is too much to qualify for a subsidy, but not enough to pay for the sort of expensive, comprehensive, low-deductible plan that **Fear Itself** is gloating about being gifted. Especially because you cannot deduct business expenses when determining eligibility for the subsidy. As stated, I currently have a plan with fairly high OOP limits that costs $200 / mo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-who-successfully-enrolled-in-obamacare-on-the-healthcare-gov-website/673183.md?page=3)