<prompt> Human: Just some facts about our situation which may or may not affect answers given:- Wife was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer and we were told in July that she had less than a year to live.- I am taking care of her full time at the moment. - I was laid off this year and have extinguished my unemployment income. We are living off our savings at the moment.- We are not eligible for Medicaid too much in savings, and our state Missouri did not expand Medicaid- My wife is an immigrant to the US and has been here five years. She did not work during that time and did not pay into Social Security; therefore, she is not eligible for disability.- We both have a plan through the Marketplace and were eligible for subsidies in 2015.Anthem BCBS1. Ded 2250 45002. OOP 3700 74003. Coinsurance 104. Rx 105. cost is 263 per month.Questions:1 I understand open enrollment for 2016 is on November 1, but will they let us keep our current plan for 2016? Our plan expires on December 31, 2015. My wifes treatment is depending on it.2 Since I wont have any income for 2016, will we have to pay the full premium? What happens when and if we cant afford it?3 A friend of mine suggested just starting a non-profit business an LLC and just paying myself the minimum yearly salary to be eligible for the subsidies. Would this even work? It doesnt sound legit to me.Like I said, we are living off savings, but this situation cant last forever. The doctor may have told us less than a year but we are not even trying to think about that. Im so desperate and hopeless right now. Assistant: You could keep your marketplace plan but would have to pay the full cost. No APTC subsidies for you unless you can get income in 2016 over about 15700 for a household of 2.You cant set up a nonprofit and pay yourself income from your savings. If you have any way of taking part time work or self employment that could bring in that 16K you would qualify for APTC subsidies that would keep your premium costs down. I dont know about resources for respite care. Any way to combine that so you could get some earnings? Also, isnt there a patient advocate at your spouses primary care center that you can discuss this situation with? You fall in the unenviable gap caused by states not expanding coverage to childless adults.Human: Id love to get a job. Id love nothing more than to return to work. But my wifes care isnt limited to the city we live in. We also have to travel four hours to a different hospital for care that our citys hospitals does not have the tech to treat. eye cancerNo one is going to hire someone that has to constantly take off work to travel. Then theres caring for my wife while she has chemo and cannot do anything for herself. Shes so depressed and miserable being all the way in the United States thousands of miles away from family and friends. Im her only line of support. She started balling at the prospect that Id return to work and shed be alone in our house. Its fortunate we dont have any kids.I havent talked to the social workers, but what exactly can they do?  <response>: Talk to a social worker. It is their job to know social programs and how they can help you take advantage of those resources. Even if it is just a community support group or car pooling to appointments, you will be better off. As your circumstances change, different programs will become available to you, such as they are.Honestly, your wife is in end of life care. Have a talk about her choices at some point. My step father died of melanoma a few years back, and my mom nursed him to the end after he rightly, IMO refused radiation treatment.All treatments has pros and cons, and at some point the trade off is no longer worth it. The doctors will be very little help with this! You need to talk it over with your wife while she is still well enough to make decisions. My dad got brain tumors fairly fast, and my mother had to face that without his help.Try to remember that life is about journeys not destinations. I wish you ease and comfort on the road you and your wife must walk. 