From: Julian Black
Date: 1/24/2016 11:30:01 AM
To: Julian Black
Subject: VA Benefits & Long Term Care
Delta Folks:
This is a 19 page booklet that
gives you a lot of information about VA Benefits & Long Term Care.
I suggest you print this booklet
out.
This may not affect you but you
very well may know someone that does need help.
You may think that you do not
qualify because it is “needs-based”, however, there are deductions so you may
qualify.
Best wishes and God bless,
Julian Black
DGW Membership Chairman
Subject: Vet's info
From: ToddTrim@aol.com
Date: 1/25/2016 1:03:49 PM
Subject: HCTC
Hi Mark,
This is the first
time I have ever written to you so let me just say thanks for the time you give
to put into the newsletter. I find it very useful. I also pray for
your family.
I hope you don't
mind answering this question. Does the DPMP qualify for the HCTC? Back in 2012 and 2013
I was in the VEBA with Cone and got the credit. In 2014 and 2015 I went
with the DPMP. I called Cathy Cone a few weeks ago about trying to
recover the HCTC from the past 2 years and she told me that the DPMP did not
qualify for the HCTC. Then I called the Delta Service Center and was told
that it did. Do you know for sure what the correct answer is? My
next call was going to be to the PBGC but I thought I would be able to get
a straighter answer out of you. Thanks.
Todd Trimmer
Editor: Todd, Sorry for the delayed
response. It has been crazy here. The official qualifying plan
to receive HCTC is a "state
qualified" plan. Unfortunately the DPMP does not qualify.
But there are plenty of plans that do. One of them is the plan that Cone
pushes but when I was getting the HCTC I simply applied for a state
qualified blue cross blue shield plan on my own and got the subsidy. On
the IRS site there are links to each state and a listing of plans that
qualifies. I hope that helps and glad to here from you. Please email
back if you have other questions. Mark (See below for more help)
Mark, I never expected
an answer back so quickly with your life being so hectic. I'm on Medicare
now but might try to get my wife on a state plan until she is 65. At
least one great thing is I don't have to file an amended 2014 return. Thanks
for your quick reply and God bless you in your travels.
Todd
++++++HCTC is Back, AND you can file amended returns for 2015 & 2014!!!
Health Coverage Tax Credit
The Health Coverage Tax Credit is a tax credit that pays 72.5% of
qualified health insurance premiums for eligible individuals and their
families.
Who can claim the Health Coverage Tax Credit?
You may only elect to take the HCTC if you are one of the
following:
·
An eligible trade adjustment assistance (TAA) recipient,
alternative (ATAA) recipient, reemployment (RTAA) recipient.
·
An eligible Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) pension
payee.
·
The family member of a TAA, ATAA, or RTAA recipient or PBGC
pension payee who is deceased or who finalized a divorce with you.
You are not eligible if you could have been claimed as a dependent
on another person’s federal income tax return.
What health insurance plans qualify for the Health Coverage Tax Credit?
All plans that were previously qualified for the HCTC qualify for
the HCTC through 2019.
·
For 2014 and 2015 only: qualified coverage includes qualified health plans offered
through a federally facilitated or a state-based Health Insurance
Marketplace.
·
For 2016 and beyond: Health Insurance Marketplace coverage will no longer be qualified
coverage for the HCTC.
Be sure to review the Instructions for Form 8885 for information about qualified health
insurance plans that are eligible for the HCTC in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
How do I claim HCTC for 2015?
·
File Form 8885, Health Coverage Tax Credit with your 2015 income tax
return and elect HCTC when you file.
·
Attach documentation about your HCTC
eligibility, that your 2015 health plan was qualified and that the premiums
claimed for your 2015 coverage were paid.
·
Follow special instructions, if you or anyone claimed
on your federal income tax return enrolled in 2015 Marketplace coverage and
received the benefit of advance payments of the Premium Tax Credit in 2015. You
must reconcile the advance payments on Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit.
How do I claim HCTC for 2014?
·
Attach documentation that proves your HCTC
eligibility, that your 2014 plan was qualified and that the premiums claimed
for your 2014 coverage were paid.
Claimed or reconciled the Premium Tax Credit in 2014? You must follow
additional instructions to claim the HCTC. Refer to these Questions and Answers for more information.
The Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015
The Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-27),
enacted June 29, 2015, extended and modified the expired Health Coverage Tax
Credit. Previously, those eligible for the HCTC could claim the credit against
the premiums they paid for certain health insurance coverage through 2013.
The HCTC can now be claimed for coverage through 2019.
The IRS continues to work with its partners, the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation, the Department of Labor and State Workforce Agencies to
ensure that all eligible taxpayers receive this important credit.
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 13-Jan-2016
Or Online at: https://www.irs.gov/Credits-&-Deductions/Individuals/HCTCPBGC – HCTC guidance: http://www.pbgc.gov/wr/benefits/hctc.html
Questions about Eligible Plans: (No the DPMP is not eligible)
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Questions and Answers on Qualified Health Insurance Plans for 2016 Health Coverage Tax Credit Eligibility
Taxpayers eligible for the health coverage tax credit should ensure that they are enrolled in health care coverage for 2016 that qualifies for the HCTC before 2016 begins because many plans require participants to enroll before the end of 2015.1. For 2016, what types of health insurance qualify for the HCTC?
There are several types of health insurance that qualify for the HCTC for 2016. However, contributions by your employer or your spouse’s employer may limit qualification. See the next question.
(1) Coverage under a COBRA continuation
provision;
(2) Coverage under a group health plan available through the employment of your spouse;
(3) Coverage under an employee benefit plan funded by a voluntary employees’ beneficiary association (VEBA) that was established through the bankruptcy of your former employer; DP3 VEBA
(4) Coverage obtained in the non-group (individual) health insurance market other than coverage offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace; and Non-Obamacare plan
(5) Coverage under certain state-qualified health plans established prior to January 1, 2014. See State-Qualified info following this article.
A qualified health insurance plan does not include a flexible spending or
similar arrangement and any insurance if substantially all of its coverage is
of excepted benefits described in section 9832(c) of the Internal Revenue Code.(2) Coverage under a group health plan available through the employment of your spouse;
(3) Coverage under an employee benefit plan funded by a voluntary employees’ beneficiary association (VEBA) that was established through the bankruptcy of your former employer; DP3 VEBA
(4) Coverage obtained in the non-group (individual) health insurance market other than coverage offered through the Health Insurance Marketplace; and Non-Obamacare plan
(5) Coverage under certain state-qualified health plans established prior to January 1, 2014. See State-Qualified info following this article.
For example, dental or vision benefits purchased separately aren’t part of a qualified health insurance plan for the HCTC. But, premiums paid for a comprehensive package that includes dental or vision benefits may be eligible for the HCTC if the dental or vision benefits don’t represent substantially all of its coverage.
2. What if my employer or my spouse’s employer pays part of the premium?
You can’t claim the HCTC for any month that, on the first day of the month, either of the following applies. Any amounts contributed to the cost of coverage by you or your spouse on a pre-tax basis are considered to have been paid by the employer.
(1) You can’t claim the HCTC for any month that,
on the first day of the month, you were covered under an employer-sponsored
health insurance plan (including any employer-sponsored health insurance plan
of a spouse) and the employer paid 50% or more of the cost of coverage.
(2) If you are an Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) or Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) recipient, you can’t claim the HCTC for any month that, on the first day of the month, you were eligible for certain kinds of coverage (including any employer-sponsored health insurance plan of your spouse) where the employer would have paid 50% or more of the cost of the coverage or you were covered under certain kinds of coverage (including any employer-sponsored health insurance plan of your spouse) where the employer paid any part of the cost of coverage.
3. Have the types of qualifying health insurance changed since 2013?(2) If you are an Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) or Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) recipient, you can’t claim the HCTC for any month that, on the first day of the month, you were eligible for certain kinds of coverage (including any employer-sponsored health insurance plan of your spouse) where the employer would have paid 50% or more of the cost of the coverage or you were covered under certain kinds of coverage (including any employer-sponsored health insurance plan of your spouse) where the employer paid any part of the cost of coverage.
All insurance that was qualified in 2013 will be qualified for 2016. In addition, an old rule limiting qualifying individual health coverage to coverage obtained prior to leaving your job was eliminated.
4. Will the coverage for my qualifying family members continue to qualify for the HCTC when I reach 65?
There were no changes to this rule. You can receive the HCTC for the health plan premiums of your qualified family members for up to 24 months from the month you enroll in Medicare, or until the coverage month begins in or after January 2020, whichever comes first.
5. I am enrolled in individual coverage offered through the Marketplace. Must I find other insurance?
All taxpayers eligible for both the HCTC and the premium tax credit (PTC) should compare the out-of-pocket costs and benefits of Marketplace plans against the HCTC-qualified health insurance plans listed above. If you are eligible for the HCTC and the PTC, you may prefer coverage through a qualified health plan offered through the Marketplace because the Marketplace may be more affordable even though it isn’t qualifying insurance for the HCTC starting in 2016 and you will be able to claim only the PTC and not the HCTC for the coverage.
6. If I switch from coverage offered through the Marketplace to coverage listed above, can I still receive advance payments of my premiums?
Advance payments of the HCTC are planned to begin July 2016. You may choose Marketplace coverage for the first part of 2016 to receive advance payments of the premium tax credit (APTC) even though Marketplace coverage isn’t eligible for the HCTC in 2016. You may then switch coverage into an HCTC-eligible plan after advance payments of the HCTC begin. The election required to claim the HCTC can be made for any coverage month and doesn’t prevent you from claiming the PTC in earlier months in the year.
7. I’m eligible for both the PTC and the HCTC. What happens if I switch from Marketplace coverage into an individual plan for my July 2016 coverage?
You can receive the PTC and/or APTC for the Marketplace coverage through June 2016, switch for July 2016 into an individual health insurance plan that accepts new participants in the middle of the year (but may restart your annual deductibles at zero), elect the HCTC for July 2016, and claim the HCTC for July through December 2016 as either advance HCTC (monthly option) or annually (on Form 8885). Your HCTC election applies only to coverage for July through December 2016. You remain eligible for the PTC for the coverage for January through June 2016.
8. I’m eligible for both the PTC and the HCTC. What happens if I switch from Marketplace coverage into a VEBA plan for my 2017 coverage during an open enrollment period in November 2016?
You can receive the PTC and/or APTC for the Marketplace coverage through December, switch for January 2017 into VEBA coverage, elect the HCTC for January 2017, and claim the HCTC for the 2017 coverage as either advance HCTC (monthly option) or annually (on Form 8885). Your HCTC election applies only to the 2017 coverage. You remain eligible for the PTC for the 2016 coverage.
For more information about the Health Coverage Tax Credit, check IRS.gov/HCTC.
IRS.gov/ACA has more information about the health care law and the premium tax credit.
What is a state qualified plan? Well the PBGC created these lists for the Act
earlier and they are done state by state.
You may find the list inside the IRS website, here below is the example
of state qualified plans in FL.
Florida: State-Qualified Health Plans
Below is a list of state-qualified health plans available in your state. Use this list if you intend to claim the yearly HCTC on your 2013 federal income tax return, to verify that you were enrolled in one of the specific state-qualified health plan products available last year on or after the effective date listed.This list is updated once per year, most recently as of January 31, 2014. If you were not enrolled in one of these products, your plan does not qualify as a state-qualified health plan and you may not be able to claim the yearly HCTC unless you have another type of qualified health insurance.
Florida Blue
Customer Service for current BCBSF members: 1-800-352-2583; TDD CALL 711
Customer Service for new customers: 1-800-839-8631
Website: Florida Blue
Products: Health Coverage Tax Credit Group Trust - Plans 3 or Health Coverage Tax Credit Group Trust - Plans 4
Effective Date: 9/1/2003
State-Based Continuation Coverage
Individuals eligible for state-based continuation coverage should contact their current health plan for information.
Effective Date: 9/1/2003
Note: The links to health plans listed on these pages will take you to health plan websites for general information. The information listed there may not be specifically related to the HCTC.
Return to the Step 3: Qualified Health Plan page.
Return to the HCTC: Information for Yearly Filers page.
Want to find your state’s lising. Copy the below link and carefully replace Florida with your state it the list may show up: https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Florida:-State-Qualified-Health-Plans
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