Question: Currently I have my son on a child only plan, so that he can be on a richer plan than me and my wife. We are on a bare bones high deductible plans — that too individually thanks to the grotesque state of current individual insurance market place. We had to take what we could get. All the calculators I have seen so far want to treat the three of us as a group. When the exchange finally opens up are we going to have a chance to buy ala carte? How will the subsidies be calculated and applied? Thanks, Bated Breath.

Answer: If your household income qualifies you for premium assistance, you will have to choose family coverage in the exchange, but if you are not eligible for a subsidy, you can buy your coverage off-exchange and choose different coverage for each family member if you wish.