I believe Mary Lou lives in Houston. Texas did not expand Medicaid, so depending on her income, she may fall into the gap between Medicaid and ACA subsidies. That gap is one of the most shameful things in the US in terms of providing medical care for low-income people. If she has income to qualify for ACA (the federal poverty level), she might be eligible for a silver plan with subsidies not only for premiums but also for deductible/coinsurance. The only medical question asked for ACA policies is about smoking. Pre-existing conditions are not considered. A social worker at the hospital should have worked with the family to figure out their best options for insurance/payment. Jan 16 is the deadline to enroll for 2024.
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