Minimizing out-of-pocket costs in Texas
I have a bronze ACA plan in Texas with low premiums but where I pay 100% of costs until a high deductible is met (about $9000). I was hoping not to use the plan at all, but I have been having chronic issues and plan to return to TX with the intent of seeing specialists (traveling outside the state since Jan 1). I think it’s possible I would reach the max OOP quickly.
I’m trying to understand my options. I believe I could:
a) Try to find a way to pay the deductible. The easiest way would be to get a job, but my health problems are currently a substantial impediment there.
b) Move counties and re-enroll into a plan with greater cost sharing. Not ideal as that means more waiting to see docs plus everything else that comes with moving.
c) Qualify for charity forgiveness? Can I even quality given that I have insurance? This is the option I have questions about.
A hospital in my network covers 100% of bills when income is below 2x the poverty rate. This year, my income will definitely be below that (but above $0), but last year my income was above cutoff for any assistance (4x the poverty rate). I’m not sure I could prove my low income until after I file taxes in 2024. By then, the bills may be in collections.
Plus I’m not sure which bills would qualify. If I see my PCP at the hospital, does that bill fall under the hospital’s charity policy? What if I get an MRI and radiologist bills separately? When my dad had ER visits a few years, he had bills both from the hospital and separately from the MDs via a company in Ohio (even though he was in Texas).
I guess my questions are: Can I quality for charity forgiveness? Is it possible to delay income verification into the next year? And what bills incurred for care received at a hospital might be excluded from charity policies?
