Perserverance was key for first Delawarean to sign up for 'Obamacare'

WHYY News Network ^ | October 15, 2013 | By John Mussoni

[Oldeconomybuyer]

A 59-year-old small business owner from Selbyville spent over seven hours between phone calls and the computer, but her patience earned her the distinction of being the first person from Delaware to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

When everything was done Baker said she found coverage for about $700 /month. She and her husband had been paying $1600/month. He now has his own insurance, which is written through a private carrier.

Baker wouldn't describe the type of plan she eventually signed up for, but said she didn't qualify for subsidies.

[Pearls Before Swine]

We have a winner! Seven hours, and lower premiums, too!

It’s like winning the lottery.. and just as probable.

[Gay State Conservative]

If it's this hard just to sign up imagine how difficult it will be to get heart surgery or to see a cancer specialist.

[Col Frank Slade]

You can order anything over the Internet in a few minutes.

This takes 7 hours.

[stocksthatgoup]

She pays $700 what are her deductibles and let’s here about his insurance and deductibles as well.

[Ghost of SVR4]

I wouldn't count on that just yet...

Baker wouldn't describe the type of plan she eventually signed up for, but said she didn't qualify for subsidies.

[NewHampshireDuo]

She says her plan is $700 but the plan for her and her husband was $1600. So, what’s hubby doing next year?

[LibLieSlayer]

She will live to regret her decision and may have her ID and savings stolen.

[nascarnation]

So is Janice with SEIU, MoveON or Organizing for America?

[smokingfrog]

At this rate, it will only take about 20 years for everyone that doesn’t have insurance to get signed up.

... In the mean time, prepare to pay some hefty fines.

[bgill]

Egad, Heavenly Hound Hotel sounds like a pet cemetery rather than a kennel.

[freeandfreezing]

I don't believe any of these stories. I'd like to know the details - the insurer, policy name, etc. I doubt there is any savings at all, or the new policy has a large deductible while the old policy had a small deductible so its actual value is different.

Without details these stories should be given no more credence than a report of a UFO.

[stormhill]

The whole report is so misleading it's maddening.
First, as you point out is that they leave out her deductibles. For all we know it's $25.00 vs. $2500.00. Then, they fail to highlight that they're comparing her plan to their plan.

The numbers that are being attached become meaningless without context.

[Ezekiel]

A 59-year-old small business owner from Selbyville spent over seven hours between phone calls and the computer, but her patience earned her the distinction of being the first person from Delaware to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

It just goes to show that taking the mark of the beast requires a determined, willful act of devotion to beast.gov, not something you accidentally get sucked in to.

[yellowdoghunter]

Something doesn’t ring true in this story. I don’t believe it! The whole point of the “Affordable Care Act” is that it is supposed to b “affordable”. This story does nothing to make me believe that, since I don’t know what her husband is paying, her deductible, etc....

[kabar]

How much are the deductibles under the new plan compared to the old one?

[freeandfreezing]

Delaware has published pricing information for the new Obamacare insurance policies. The charts present the prices before age and family size adjustments, which makes them look less than they really are, but there are some examples of prices for particular ages and family sizes.

[AppyPappy]

I call BS. I want to see proof.

[beelzepug]

Delawareans? I just assumed they would be called Delawarts.

[Vendome]

This lady is being dishonest.

No way she got “acceptable” coverage for $700, compared to her previous plan.

I have several friends who are 58, 59ish and they have private insurance. Costs $1,700 per month and their deductible is $2,500.

They have a variety of procedures that are not covered and a variety that are covered but, at a scored value and then they have the rest of procedures covered at 80% and 90%.... after the deductible.

Their monthly rate goes up in January with the same coverage.

ObamaCare® fir this couple probably has quite a few limitations and a deductible that is about the same as catastrophic insurance.

She likely made the gamble that what might go wrong with her and her husband will be covered and they will figure out what to do if not.