if you qualify for medicaid and wish to receive financial help from the government to cover the cost of your health plan you must take medicaid. however if you do not wish to have medicaid you can buy a silver or gold plan through the ny state exchange as long as you pay for it in full with no subsidy. if you apply for financial help and your current income qualifies you for medicaid you are going to be required to take medicaid. so the only way to avoid medicaid in your case is to pay for the private plan 100% on your own.
can i be forced into a medicaid program even if i would prefer to pay out-of-pocket for a plan on the ny exchange? . i lack current income but do have resources to pay for a better plan on the exchange.