WASHINGTON — Millions of Americans may qualify for waivers from the most unpopular part of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.
But getting that exemption could be an ordeal.
Community groups are concerned about a convoluted process for waivers from the law’s tax penalty on people who remain uninsured. The law’s requirement that Americans carry health insurance remains contentious. Waivers were designed to ease the impact.
But while some exemptions seem simple, others will require math calculations. Some involve sending in the application — by mail — and supporting documents, such as copies of medical bills, police reports, obituaries, utility shut-off notices — even news articles. Consumers will have to dig up the documentation, unlike when filing the W-2s they get from employers.
Two federal agencies have roles, each with its own waivers and time schedules. Some people will apply directly to the Internal Revenue Service when they file their 2014 tax returns next year with a new Form 8965. Others can start now through . If it’s approved, they’ll get a number to put on their IRS form later on.
Hailed by Democrats as the fulfillment of historical aspirations for covering all Americans, the Affordable Care Act has turned out to have multiple issues. The debut of online insurance markets last fall became an embarrassment for the White House. It took two months to get the website working reasonably well.
“The process for claiming an exemption is confusing, even for people who do this every day,” said Elizabeth Colvin of Foundation Communities, an Austin, Texas, nonprofit that provides services for low-income people.
“If you are a do-it-yourself person who is going to try it on pen and paper, all I can say is, ‘God be with you,’ ” said Mark Ciaramitaro, vice president of health care services at tax giant H&R Block.
Of the roughly 30 million to 40 million uninsured people, about 20 million are estimated to qualify for one or more of 16 exemptions.
