Well, the subject line says it all. How does a taxpayer determine if his insurance plan meets the minimum level the government now insists on, regardless of your own personal preferences? How will this be reported to the IRS? How will it be verified by the IRS?
Some of the answers you seek are probably not available "Minimum essential coverage includes government- sponsored programs, eligible employer-sponsored plans, plans in the individual market, grandfathered group health plans, and other coverage as recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury."
It excludes the same things that HIPAA excludes. I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that insurance acquired through the exchanges will be qualifying coverage.
Massachusetts has a Schedule HC that is part of the annual tax return, so it's a good guess that the IRS will develop a similar form.
You can get a lot more info at healthcare.gov web site. The final versions (3) of the following form is already available:
"Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs"
it can be filled either paper-based or online (although I don't think they are accepting filings yet).
MA also requires health insurers to send the policy holder a statement that their coverage meets the requirements. I'll bet there will be something similar as well.
I too have some questions about the new health insurance law but they don't strictly pertain to taxes so I won't post them here.
Is there a Usenet group or online forum where I could post my questions?
does not seem to have a forum...
You could try this forum, but there hasn't been much yet on the new "Obamacare" laws.
They might follow the model of the Medicare drug coverage rules. Retirees covered by a drug plan are informed by their current plan whether it meets the minimum requirements allowing them to waive Medicare coverage.
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