obamacare/medicaid

So after hearing that my uncle was on a 400 person waiting list for insurance I figured I better get moving on figuring out my insurance options for next year. My internship starting in 2015 requires I have it, and I turned 26 this year so I lose it Dec 31st 2014 11:59pm (they were nice enough to cover me for the year, instead of kicking me off right on my birthday). According to the healthcare website my best option was to apply for medicaid. So I did that, about a month ago. Just wondering how long it takes to hear back from the state (I live in MI) if I'm approved or not? Anyone have any time frame, or is it just whenever they get to you? And then my internship is in FL, will I have to reapply for it in that state and go through the whole process again? Should I just buy a regular plan and forget the medicaid? Obviously since I'm on these boards I have mental health problems, so I'm on medication, about 10 different ones (not all psych, mostly generic), and need coverage of some sort.

Since you are going to be a student, I would read up on that:

https://www.healthcare.gov/if-i-m-a-...e-marketplace/

I would only use the Federal site, not the state ones, since you will be moving, etc., maybe call them to ask what you should do? https://www.healthcare.gov/contact-us/

Yeah, I would call. I think Medicaid is pretty limited to paying for stuff in the state where you get it. I think they make exceptions for emergencies, while traveling, but I think that's about it. You're going to FL for an extended stay. So what you get where you are a resident might not follow you.

To get Medicaid, you gotta go through your local state. The federal site doesn't sign anyone up for Medicaid, as far as I understand.

As far as just buying "a regular plan," that is quite expensive. Check and see if you qualify for a federal subsidy. It sounds like you did that and got referred to Medicaid. Federal subsidies help low income folks, IF the income is not too, too low . . . in which case they refer you to Medicaid. There are people too poor to get the Federal subsidy, but not poor enough to get Medicaid . . . mostly in "red" states.

When you apply through the Obamacare site, your application will automatically be sent to your states Medicaid office or Medicare if you are eligible. Took me about a month to get my response.

I have a feeling I fall into that category. I make about $5000 too little to qualify for the subsidy (if I had been employed at both my jobs the entire year instead of starting in April and August I would've made it), but since I do have income and make above minimum wage I don't think I'll be considered poor by the state.

I know buying a plan is extremely expensive, but if I go downhill again (currently stable, but can't predict how long that'll last) I average 4 hospitalizations a year, so it would be worth it. I would hope that my parents would help with some of the cost, or that because I'm getting college credit for the program I could get a student plan at a discounted rate.

In a lot of states the cut-off for getting Medicaid is 133% of the Federal Poverty Level. That means less than $15,521/year. (That's less than $1,293.43 per month.) (That tends to be true in blue states.) Here is a link where I got that from: http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHI...vel-charts.pdf

Also, whether or not you're living alone can factor in, also. They look at household income. I see that Michigan did not expand it's Medicaid eligibility in 2014, as many states did. See: http://www.medicaid.gov/Medicaid-CHI...vel-charts.pdf

Also see: http://www.advisory.com/daily-briefi...rs/medicaidmap I'm reading conflicting things on these sites.

My experience is that it depends on your county in Michigan. The county I live in is not the best at getting things out in a timely manner. Sorry, can't be more help.

Hi, my son completely skipped Obamacare and went directly to Bluecross. It is 200/mo but it pays very well. It is very hard for him to pay, but it is good.
Good Luck!

Forgive me for seeing this late. I live in FL and have an income that is actually a bit lower than the state should have allowed. Florida only has very, very limited Medicaid so you can't qualify here, even with no income at all!

I was able to get the Marketplace insurance with subsidies and obtain Blue Cross/ Blue Shield which in Florida is called Florida Blue. It covers mental health very well and it's been a Godsend. I was first on Aetna, and there were very few providers- all of which were located in community clinics....no help at all to me so I switched.

I hope this helps.. Good luck!