When I started looking at state exchange programs it was really just out of curiosity. My ex-employer's plan that costs me $450 a month is good insurance.....a bit expensive, but the premium will go down to $100/month in 18 months time when I reach retirement age, so I kept it thought last year for convenience, continuity and to avoid all the teething troubles in ACA's first year. So when open enrollment came around I wanted to see what was on offer. I entered my MAGI estimates.....about $35k for 2014 as I worked for a couple of months and $10k for 2015 as I only have investment and rental income and some large deductions and I didn't include potential rollovers to ROTHs. Well that shunted me into Medicaid and the whole process has a momentum all of it's own. I got a card, got placed with a health insurer after I called to ask about the benefits but specifically told the nice lady on the phone I already had insurance and would call back if I decided to go ahead. Now they have asked for income verification and I sent back the information almost out of curiosity to see what happens. One of the income categories was "Inheritances and gifts". I actually did get a small inheritance in 2014, and I wrote back to say that as assets aren't a determining factor for the Medicaid plan I am one and inheritances don't contribute to MAGI I would not tell them the value of the inheritance, but had estimated the income it would contribute towards my MAGI.
I also have a claim for state premium assistance for my existing insurance that I was encouraged to submit by one representative. So it looks like there will be one of 4 outcomes
1) just stick with my existing ex-employer insurance.....and do rollovers to ROTH
2) get Medicaid plan and pay nothing for premiums, cancel existing insurance and keep my income below the 133% FPL.
3) get some assistance from the state to pay my ex-employers insurance premiums......ironically the state was my ex-employer
4) Do some rollovers to bump my income up above the 133% FPL, tell the state about this, get off Medicaid and apply for an exchange health plan and get the subsidy.
It's complex, but I'm grateful to have access to good coverage and have the choices.