When should I apply to healthcare.gov?

I live in Ohio and I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in January 2024, and I have been on Medicaid which has been paying for all of my treatments and appointments. This is on my own plan because I live alone and I qualify from being a full-time student working 20+ hours a week (this is the requirement to qualify for SNAP/Medicaid as a full-time student) at a federal work study job on campus. Recently on 4/2/24 I was able to move up in my career by getting a job in the field which I have been extremely excited for because I've been looking ever since I moved to my own apartment near campus in August 2023. However, my income from this new job has put me over the income limit for SNAP/Medicaid (I make $31,000 yearly salary to be exact). I knew I was going to be taken off of it, but I thought I'd be able to go back onto my grandma's Medicaid like I was before I moved to my apartment. However, I called JFS and asked, and that only applies to private insurance. I lived with her my whole life before I moved away for college, so I was always covered under her. I am a permanent resident at my new apartment and an independent. As a result, I no longer have healthcare as of May 30, 2024.

I am currently trying to figure out what to do regarding healthcare, I cannot afford treatment without it. I just submitted a hearing request for Medicaid to appeal the decision, and I contacted my boss and he said they will look into finding a plan for me. I have also been looking at healthcare.gov but the plans that have Cleveland Clinic in network aren't exactly affordable. I do not want to switch doctors, so I need to find one that has Cleveland Clinic in network.

I was completing an application for healthcare.gov just to check all of my options, and at the end it mentioned something about agreeing to Marketplace ending Medicaid if it finds I have one active. Should I submit the application, or should I wait to hear back regarding my appeal before I submit it? I'm just worried about it screwing up my coverage or creating more problems, but I'm also worried about having a gap in coverage. What should I do?

I appreciate any help. Thank you so much!

submitted by /u/FallenArtemis
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