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After talking with Cigna they indicated that policies can be purchased through them. The only issue is they (like nearly all others) have opted out of participation in the exchange which could provide subsidies. Should have comparable prices later today.
they should pay 100% after the deductible is met, otherwise it would just be a 70/30 or an 80/20 with no deductible. Then you would always be responsible for the 20 or 30 percent.
the problem is the deductibles seem very high right now. I think for a family of 4 making 70k a year it's around 12k. The bronze plan is probaly an 80/20 or a 70/30. The only real way to know what it's going to cost you is to go on healthcare.gov, register, and look for coverage.
I looked again. You can get a Bronze Plan with a $5500 deductible where 100% of costs are covered at you meet the deductible. This is for in-network only, and with a "limited network" of doctors, whatever that means. For $30 more per month you can get a "large network." Other Bronze Plans have co-insurance after you meet the deductible.
This certainly makes self-employment an unattractive option for me in the future!
I'm hoping this thread can avoid turning into a political discussion (I can hope, right ). But, this is NC specific since this state will have some of the highest premiums because it has the least competition.
...
How is everyone else faring?
Do we have any other options?
Wow, this is what the "Market Place" results in?
I took advantage of Affordable HealthCare Act in the earliest days in 1/2011. I had a choice of a NC option or Fed option. The Fed Option was far more reasonable with $4,000 deductible, <$300. mo premium, drugs were high $ (1 person). I chose the Fed Option, of course. (I do not need this today.)
I checked a couple of other states (NY, CA, WA) that do not use HealthCare.gov and they do not seem much better (at least from a cursory glance). BCBS is dominant there too. With Insurance companies being the core of the healthcare cost crisis in the first place, and in the spirit of capitalism (or near monopoly) - the prices seem far worse! I can't wait to see BCBS annual profits this year.
BTW, in my grad school class years ago, there was an exec from BCBS. The country was on the brink of recession then, and he was telling us of the profits for the year. His business (and it is a for-profit business) was doing better than any other corporation represented in the class - had been - an probably would continue to do so, even if his business was in the service of the health of others. I remember this clearly because we had a big discussion on ethics and morals as a result.
It looks like the "healthy" business model hasn't changed.
Last edited by BraveHeart01; 10-11-2013 at 01:29 PM..
Those of you who have followed my posts for several years may remember that I moved to North Carolina for one reason: To purchase individual health insurance. I was a long time resident of AZ and retired at 52. I had pre-existing conditions that caused a decline every time I applied for individual insurance since 1998. I started a small business for the sole purpose of getting health insurance through the AZ Small Business Association Group Coverage. In January, 2012, at 55 years old, I was paying $980/month for a $5,000 deductible policy (NOT HSA eligible). We were told that the group would probably be too small to qualify as a group in 2013, so no insurance would be offered. I spent weeks researching states that would allow me to purchase insurance, and the related costs and waiting periods. Within the states that had some way to keep me insured, we considered other quality of life factors (weather, community, leisure activities, cost of living, etc.)
NC offered a state run high risk pool which would accept me within 30 days of arrival (Inclusive Health NC). All I had to to was get declined by a regular insurance carrier. So, I did my little online application with BCBS- NC and guess what? They accepted me. $354/month for the $5,000 deduction (HSA eligible). In Jan 2013, they increased the rates to $391/month. Next year, under ACA, the bronze coverage will increase my deductible to $5,500 and my premium to $498. I do not expect that I am eligible for subsidies.
BTW, my total medical costs in 2011 and 2012 were, respectively, $750 and $550. FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
With pre-existing conditions I should be a cheerleader for Obamacare. I'm not. It's the wrong solution to a very bad problem.
I agree with you regarding the "very bad problem". I was a supporter of ACA before seeing these rates.
My situation was very similar to yours. I was declined individual insurance after my COBRA expired, and I retired early. One reason was "allergies" (where I would occasionally take an over-the-counter Claritan). I had a sports injury in recovery - and that was another reason for the decline. This is when I realized the game insurance companies played. They are FOR-PROFIT. I used to think only the poor could not obtain insurance. I could afford it and was declined for idiotic reasons. When I moved to NC I learned of the NC option AND the Fed Option. To my advantage - I guess - I did not apply to BCBS and was once again rejected for the same ridiculous reasons. The Fed Option was better and I took it. Even then, my out of pocket costs zoomed because of paying for premiums + my own very very low out of pocket. Still, I wanted the catastrophic insurance.
The insurance game is the problem - IS, not WAS. I am shocked at the rates. Far worse than what I took advantage of in 2011 when phase 1 of ACA went into effect and the Fed Option was available through Inclusive Health.
My quote was actually better than what my husband's workplace is currently offering. However we didn't qualify as his insurance didn't meet the affordability criteria.
As for deductibles/coinsurances, the numbers here seem normal to me as this is the type of coverage we have been offered through the employers the last several years. (retail management)
Well I haven't bothered getting a quote because I know that , as I said before, my husbands workplace premiums for "self only" don't meet the affordability criteria. Self only premiums would be around 3% of his gross salary, but our family premiums are around 12% of his salary at just over $6,000 per year.
The premiums have risen by 20% in the last 3 years and they added an $8k family deductible in 2010. Co-pays for office, ER and urgent care have risen by 25-50% in the last 2 years to $50,$100 and $200 respectively.
My son and I are not permitted to work in the USA as been waiting for Green cards since 2008, therefore have never paid SS contributions and don't have SSN.
We (as non earning individuals) cannot get a quote on the exchange.
So- I we decided not to get family coverage through husbands work because we can't afford it, what would the options for myself and son be- short of no insurance at all?
the problem is that NC only has 2 providers offering plans in the exchange. Somehow SC managed to get 4, New York State has like 15.
I am not sure why NC has only 2 but I would be curious to find out.
I'm not 100% sure but there were some decisions that the NC legislature and Governer made that led to increased rates. I think that had something to do with it.
it's a bit dissapointing to find out the cost can vary from state to state. If I didn't have the health insurance I have now I would be moving to a state where it's cheaper.
Hey y'all, I finally got my application submitted. I gave up on trying to log in to the Marketplace. I created 2 accounts but both times it said I would get an email to confirm but I did not, so I could not log in.
FInally called the 1-800 number. I was connected with a live human in 30 SECONDS! She was friendly and helpful. She filled my application out for me over the phone. It took 39 minutes total. If you have no dependents it would definitely take less time. You need to have lots of info handy, such as employer info, ss#, etc. She even took down the contact info for the benefits administrator at my employer (in case they decide to call to confirm that insurance through the employer will be 25% of my salary)
They are supposed to email me more information about my eligibility for tax credits as well as plans that are available to me.
This what they should have done before. You can find out your options in your state without creating and account or giving personal info. AND they make it more clear that these costs are BEFORE any subsidies you may qualify for.
This what they should have done before. You can find out your options in your state without creating and account or giving personal info. AND they make it more clear that these costs are BEFORE any subsidies you may qualify for.
Good luck! Definitely make the call!
they fail to mention the deductibles on the whitehouse site. Very vague information.
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). But, this is NC specific since this state will have some of the highest premiums because it has the least competition. 
