Affording health insurance when you're the "working poor"

[PnkPolkaDots]

So right now, I have health insurance through work and OH qualifies for a subsidy for his health insurance. After we get married, OH will no longer qualify for a subsidy because he can be covered under my plan through my work. The cheapest plan has no monthly premium for me only, so it is deemed "affordable" because my premium (0%) is less than 9.6% of my monthly income. However... to add OH to my plan after getting married, the cheapest plan will be a whopping 20% of our monthly income!

Anyone else in a similar situation? How do you make it work?

 

[vermeil]

Hmm good question! Here in Canada healthcare is all free. I did live in the US and remember the complexity of healthcare insurance. Seemed pretty nuts to me! Its partially why I moved back.

Hopefully someone else has more useful advice!

 

[PnkPolkaDots]

It is nuts!

 

[BunNtheOven]

I don't know what it more nuts, the fact we pay a boat load for insurance or our seriously messed up unpaid maternity leave.

 

[Zakhar]

Yeah, I’m in the same boat—after marriage, adding my spouse made our premiums skyrocket, so we’re juggling whether to keep separate plans or pay way more together.

 

[jerfer]

You might contact Sunshine Health phone number to explore options for adding a spouse.