Geography to play larger role in health premiums

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | February 16, 2013 | JUDY LIN

[artichokegrower]

Whether it's the densely populated Southern California coast or the mountains of rural Northern California, geography is going to play a larger role in the cost of health insurance under the federal health care overhaul set to take effect next year.

Health insurers are facing new rules and restrictions on how they set prices as part of the Affordable Care Act's aim to expand coverage to millions of Americans. No longer can insurers deny coverage because of a preexisting condition or place lifetime limits on medical care. While a person's age will remain a factor in setting rates, older customers cannot be charged more than three times what younger customers pay.

California also has rejected an option under the federal law that allows health insurance companies to charge smokers up to 50 percent more for their premiums.

[artichokegrower]

"California also has rejected an option under the federal law that allows health insurance companies to charge smokers up to 50 percent more for their premiums"

So I will pay the same as an obese, smoking, meth using ex heroin addict even though I have non of these issues. We need to pool the risk factors to make ObamaCare work. So much for personal responsibility.

[Vaduz]

Obese, smoking, meth using ex heroin addict
and the drive by shootings.

[BobL]

Geography will also determine what it costs people to leave the country to get first-rate medical care overseas.

[dhs12345]

And promiscuous gay sex which results in catching AIDS. You'd think that AIDS is the number one disease confronting the US. So if it is that serious, there is “cure.” Actually, it is prevention.

How much you wanna bet that this will be ignored.

[Vaduz]

Bet that this will be ignored.
Indeed and hep C is on the up tick,media mum.