20 thoughts on “We Discovered an Obamacare Wrinkle That Lowered Our Monthly Premium to Zero for 2020

  1. Hi. Interesting strategy.

    But do you have any problems with it from an ethical standpoint? We are self-employed and in our fifties, and I’m finding that a comparable bronze plan costs over $20k a year for premiums alone.

    I don’t have answers—it just nags at me.

    Health care insurance is really expensive. Someone has to cover these costs.

  2. Great post! Thanks for sharing I’m sure this could help my wife and I when we retire in the next few years.

    I’d be curious to know what your overall experience has been like using Obamacare in comparison to when you had private insurance? Was it hard to find a doctor taking new patients? Anything unexpected that you wished you knew before hand?

    Keep the great post coming

    1. I know your question was directed at the great Mr. Groovy, but I thought I would give you my impressions, based on 2 years of enrollment.
      Prior to retirement I was insured through my employer. When I retired, I signed up for an almost identical plan through Healthcare.gov.
      The insurance itself is no different. It’s just the method by which it can be accessed.
      The Healthcare.gov website and interface, all things considered, works incredibly well and is pretty easy. You can get estimates of your potential subsidy amounts and shop plans.
      However, some states require you to use their own websites and, in the case of Colorado, it’s not nearly as easy.
      Hope that helps.

    2. In North Carolina we use Healthcare.gov. Prices and insurance networks are based on the county you live in. With moving several times, we ended up having to switch plans twice in one year. We started with Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina in one county, then when we moved in with Mr. G’s folks in another county while our house was being built, the premium would have been much higher. So we switched to Cigna. THEN when we moved into our new home in yet another county, we switched back to BCBSNC because it’s the only insurer available here. (Correction, it WAS the only plan available at that time. Now we have a 2nd insurer called Ambetter. Never heard of them and none of my doctors are in network.)

      It was hard to find a doctor taking on new patients in general in this area — nothing to do with Obamacare. But you do need to check the plans to see if your provider is in the network, and confirm with the provider’s office.

      Our Silver plan was similar to my work plan but you need to watch for what is covered during the free Wellness exam. For instance, thyroid, EKG, and Vitamin D screenings are not. Cholesterol is, but the Complete Blood Count (CBC) is not. Usually doctors want the CBC done. You can tell the doctor you only want what’s covered under the free exam but at times it may be important to be screened for something else. You try to get as much information as possible before the exam so you’re not surprised by any bills.

    3. Couldn’t agree more with Mr. Grumby and Mrs. Groovy. For me, there’s been absolutely no difference. And that’s mainly because I’ve had an incredibly good run of health. I literally can’t remember the last time I went to see a doctor for an ailment or a wound. So I really have no idea how good my employer-provided healthcare insurance was and how good my current Obamacare insurance is.

    1. For info on the subsidy you can go to healthcare.gov. Click on Get Coverage then See Plans and Prices. You enter your zip code and you’ll be taken through a series of questions, including one about your income. You don’t need to apply to get this information and you can also get it later, past the open enrollment dates.

  3. This is probably the most brilliant thing that I have read in the past month and I read A TON on personal finance.

    Brilliant work by Mrs Groovy.

    When we pull the trigger and use Obamacare in 3 years we will still have one son of age (20) to be on a plan with us. Perhaps we will do the same and get a Silver Plan for my wife and youngest son and then a bronze for me. Love the option to explore this.

    Thanks!

    1. If your income is low your son might even qualify for Medicaid or another state program. For example, New York has Child Health Plus. Also, FYI Obamacare doesn’t cover dental for adults but I believe it does for children.

    2. This is definitely an arrow that every FIRE person should have in his or her financial quiver. Spread the word, my friend. Spread the word.

  4. Wow, I didn’t know that each person could choose separate plans. You guys are brilliant!
    As Colorado residents we are forced to use the state marketplace, which is terribly inefficient, unnecessary (Healthcare.gov works pretty damn well) and poorly designed. Once we return to Oregon in the spring we will transfer to Healthcare.gov and look at doing separate groups. Thanks for the info.

    1. I was thinking of you guys when Mr. G was writing this post. I took a look on Twitter and saw you haven’t been too active so we didn’t notify you. Glad you came across it! Hope you both are well!

      1. We are doing well. I kind of let the Twitter go dormant and we’re mostly on Instagram (@grumbys) these days.

        I’ve enjoyed reading about your Groovy Ranch adventures. It looks beautiful. We’re in Colorado now but are moving back to Oregon in spring. Building a place in a small town called Silverton.
        Cheers to you both!

    2. “Healthcare.gov works pretty damn well.”

      I couldn’t agree more–and I’m an anti-government zealot! But I call like I see ’em. There may have been some glitches when the website was first rolled out, but those glitches have long since been corrected. Whoever is maintaining the website is doing a fantastic job.

  5. Thanks for sharing this Mr. G!

    I stumbled on this “feature” last year and ran options using both single and split groups. For us, it didn’t make a difference, but for people in a situation like yours (very different medical needs between family members) – it could reveal big savings opportunities.

    I hope this helps your other readers!
    Brad Kingsley, Fee-Only Financial Planner recently posted…5 Tips For Selecting Your Ideal Financial AdvisorMy Profile

    1. My pleasure, Brad. I’ve read a lot of articles about Obamacare and I’ve never seen this feature discussed. It might not help everyone, but everyone should know about it–especially those in the FIRE community.

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