penalties will apply if you fail to have coverage as long as the lowest cost option available to you doesn't exceed 8% of your annual income. it sounds like you contacted your exchange but it doesn't sound like you shopped all of your insurance options. it's possible the bcbs plan is your best option but you won't know that until you've shopped around. if you're not eligible for a subsidy you should also look outside the marketplace which you can do at sites like ehealthinsurance. com or gohealth. they'll have many more options for your to choose from and you may find something at a better price. you can also enlist the help of an insurance agent.
i currently have a health insurance plan with bcbs nc and have been told it will be canceled. . my current premium is within my budget; however bcbs is now offering a plan with less benefits at more than twice the cost. i can't afford the increase and there are no subsidies available for us. my husband is on medicare. the exchange told us that due to our situation we don't need to have health coverage in 2014 and won't be penalized. where do we get the extra $400/month for coverage?