Posted on 11/07/2013 9:33:16 AM PST by TurboZamboni
Health insurance premiums for 2014 are so low in many parts of Minnesota that some consumers aren't qualifying for tax credits through the state's new health insurance exchange. Access to tax credits has been widely cited as a key reason for shopping on MNsure -- the new government-run health insurance website -- so some consumers have been confused by the vanishing subsidies, April Todd-Malmlov, the MNsure executive director, said during a board meeting Wednesday in St. Paul. Paraphrasing a common question asked at MNsure's call center, Todd-Malmlov said: "I think there's something wrong with the system -- I'm supposed to be getting a tax credit, but I'm getting a zero."
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
America...Land of the “FREE” and home of the Brave...
Why would low premiums be a problem?
Low premiums, but what about the level of deductibles and co-pays?
So... They actually have policies on there now?
Last week when I looked they had NOTHING.
Speaking from experience, I live on a razor-thin budget, and even with these “low premiums,” it’s going to break me and my family. I have to decide between feeding my family and buying unnecessary (at this point) health insurance, I’m going to buy food. To hell with the MNSure. I will not comply.
Read the article.
the deductibles are high 3-6k copays are around $30-$40 at least they were when i check for my daughter.
So the problem is that the premiums are too low to qualify for a tax credit but they are still significantly higher than what you pay now?
That would be a problem.
I don’t have ANY health insurance right now. It’s been cash only. We’re all relatively healthy. I would prefer some catastrophic policy.
I did read it. Doesn’t say. Did you read it?
These "good deals" are not so good when you look at your real out of pocket exposure.
An “affordable” premium, subsidized by taxpayers, does NOT mean affordable coverage when out-of-pocket expenses are added in.
Then there is no reason to comply. And being uninsured under Obamacare is a better deal .....get sick?? then sign up.
I GOT ZERO’ED!!
Nice bumper sticker
Then the Premiums are low and so no subsities for them, but their out of pockets like deductibles are high (compared to current insurance) ??
So its a problem for those who get sick?
"The premiums are so low that some people at higher income levels and some in lower age groups -- they don't qualify for the tax credit," Todd-Malmlov said in an interview.
"But they still are getting coverage that is more affordable than what they would get in other states."
The tax credit discussion came during a meeting in which MNsure's directors officially set at 1.5 percent the amount of premiums the state agency will "withhold" from all health insurance policies sold through the exchange.
Republicans promptly dubbed the assessment a "premium tax," saying it was too high for what consumers are getting.
In low-premium regions like much of Minnesota, some consumers are finding that their benchmark premium is lower than the affordability cap. So, they don't need a tax credit to get affordable coverage.
A second factor is Minnesota's decision to expand the Medicaid health insurance program and maintain MinnesotaCare, a state-run program that provides coverage for people with slightly higher income than those who qualify for Medicaid. The programs will catch Minnesotans with incomes below roughly $23,000.
In both cases, Minnesota's decision means that those consumers will be covered through a government program. In other states, they will be tapping tax credits applied against the cost of a policy purchased on a health exchange.
Expanding Medicaid parameters means pushing more people into Medicaid, which is inferior healthcare. 40% of doctors don't accept Medicaid patients now because the reimbursement rate is too low to cover expenses.
Low premiums are possible at the expense of those covered. Fewer subsidies and more people driven into inferior healthcare.
The “low premiums” are relative to other states, but are still an increase over what has been paid in the past, and with higher deductibles and co-payments.
My sister had to have a much higher deductible at a cost of over $1,200.00 per year more, and now pays $7,200.00 for insurance which will almost never pay unless she is seriously ill. She will never be able to afford the deductibles.
I think we are going to see many more bankruptcies in the near future.
“I think there’s something wrong with the system — I’m supposed to be getting a tax credit, but I’m getting a zero.”
Wait until they find out they get ZEROCARE.
Sounds that way. I have not attempted.
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