For many healthy people, a catastrophic plan might make sense (it's by far the simplest plan in most cases, with a high deductible and everything covered thereafter). The catch is that the ACA makes it only available to people up to the age of 30.
However, in certain circumstances one might be able to get a hardship exception and be able to purchase a catastrophic plan even if one is over the age of 30.
I've been reading the exceptions, and it seems to me like one of them can be relatively easily "manufactured". That exception is for people that have a utility shut-off notice. I am not recommending this to anyone (though I wouldn't mind attempting this myself if I were in a position where it would make sense for me). Falling behind a month or two on a utility bill will usually result in a shut off notice. There would usually be a minor late fee, but once one gets the exception to purchase a Catastrophic plan, one could pay up (and probably even get an interest free installment arrangement to repay the outstanding balance).
Did anyone around try this?