[skytrekker]

For all forum members without health care, or seeking more affordable health care in Connecticut, the New Charter Oak Plan is based on income. Those from lower incomes will be subsidized heavily.

Please See Charter Oak Health Plan

This program is similar to the one in Massachusetts, but is not mandated.

[andthentherewere3]

Well, it's a start. I don't like the fact that it has a limit of 100,000.00 per year; something catastrophic like cancer can run much higher. And to qualify you must not have had insurance for six months prior; I'm not willing to drop our expensive private insurance for six months and cross my fingers hoping we don't get seriously injured/sick. Hopefully in time they will improve the plan, but as I said, at least it's a start. Thanks for sharing the info, skytrekker.

[skytrekker]

Yes, I agree andthentherewhere3 (was that not the name of a Genesis album circa 1978?)

It is a start- for many people who have nothing- and pay huge out of the pocket expenses- eventually some kind of single payer health system will need to be instituted- this is merely an incremental approach.

The 100K limit per year is not bad really- but should be higher.

The part of having no insurance for 6 months can be waived under hardship circumstances.

[andthentherewere3]

Yes indeed, I have that cd. My name also refers to the fact that we had two much older kids when suddenly a third came along.

The insurance is certainly better than nothing, hopefully it will be successful. But it doesn't take long to reach $100,000.00 for a serious illness, injury, disease, or cancer. I've known friends to have medical bills of several hundred thousand dollars for a single illness. (such as cancer or heart disease) Since we are getting older, I hear that clock ticking in my head, wondering how much longer we will be lucky enough to avoid a serious illness. But for someone with no insurance whatsoever, this would be better than nothing. I do like the fact that this insurance has a low deductible; ours is high.

This insurance is also good for individuals with pre-existing conditions; right now many companies will refuse to insure pre-existing conditions. I have encountered that problem, and it wasn't even a serious illness.

[Uconn97]

would it be possible to apply for this plan and then apply for an individual critical illness policy that would cover in the case of a serious illness. CI coverage will typically cover only major illnesses, like cancer, heart attack, but may help once you reach your health plan max. Not sure what it would take to qualify for one though? Just a thought.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

Yes indeed, I have that cd. My name also refers to the fact that we had two much older kids when suddenly a third came along.

The insurance is certainly better than nothing, hopefully it will be successful. But it doesn't take long to reach $100,000.00 for a serious illness, injury, disease, or cancer. I've known friends to have medical bills of several hundred thousand dollars for a single illness. (such as cancer or heart disease) Since we are getting older, I hear that clock ticking in my head, wondering how much longer we will be lucky enough to avoid a serious illness. But for someone with no insurance whatsoever, this would be better than nothing. I do like the fact that this insurance has a low deductible; ours is high.

This insurance is also good for individuals with pre-existing conditions; right now many companies will refuse to insure pre-existing conditions. I have encountered that problem, and it wasn't even a serious illness.

The demographics are the problem in health care- and the demon for American economic growth-either reform or?
I feel this plan is a start- I am sure that it will be upgraded soon. It does help those struggling with basic health care needs- and a bit beyond. Remember there is a 100K per year max- and 1 million lifetime.

[CTbroker19]

There are no systems in place to track the maximum benefit of 100K. I am in touch with Aetna (the administrator for the plan)on a daily basis, and they confirmed they have no idea what they are doing. Adverse selection will destroy this plan in 3 years max.

[okeewap]

I applied for the insurance two months ago. I have not received a reply to the numerous messages I left asking about the status of my application, except for a rep leaving a message saying to please call her if I had any further questions. She didn't answer my question, nor answer my messages to her. I sent my application by certified mail, so am certain that they received it. Does anyone know how long it takes to get accepted?

[weesy68]

We just received Husky insurance and it took from Sept 15th until yesterday to receive our cards in the mail. I followed up about a month ago and it is a long drawn out process, I had to go to the DSS with every piece of ID we have, and then wait again. My counselor was very helpful, I would suggest you be patient but keep trying.

On a side note, having moved here recently from NYC, it's very refreshing to have had such courteous and efficient service from the DSS, it was frequently very hard dealing with the "attitude" in NYC when asking basic questions about healthcare. Every day I am happy in some way that we moved to CT.

[andthentherewere3]

Husky is supposed to be open to all income levels, so I applied this summer for our children. We are self-employed, and our health insurance is now $900 a month with a $3000.00 deductible, no dental etc. Husky is a joke, they wanted to charge us more than what their website states we should have to pay with our income, (around $275.00 a month, per child is what they wanted to charge us) and my "counselor" would not return a single one of my numerous phone calls. I asked to speak to someone else and was told I could only speak to her. We kept getting letters asking us to call, but the woman simply refused to return my calls. You couldn't pay me to deal with state-run insurance now.