Posted on 12/07/2013 8:22:40 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Some Californians whose policies have been canceled are finding relief in a surprising place: from insurance companies that aren't offering plans on the new Covered California marketplace.
Earlier this year, Aetna announced it would bow out of the state's individual market, effective Dec. 31. Cigna is staying, but isn't offering any products on the exchange. Right now, both companies are accepting new customers into pre-Affordable Care Act plans.
Aetna plans are available to Costco members only until Dec. 15. Cigna is offering pre-ACA plans through Dec. 23.
Anne Gonzales, a Covered California spokeswoman, confirmed that a carrier not offering plans on Covered California "could offer a noncompliant plan through 12/31/2013 but it would need to become compliant when it renews next year."
So, consumers can enroll now, but when the policy comes up for renewal in 12 months, the plans would need to come into compliance with the ACA — and premiums would almost certainly go up. Plans could be noncompliant for a variety of reasons, including that they don't provide free preventive care or they charge people more if they have a preexisitng condition.
Jason Andrew, CEO of Stone Meadow Benefits & Insurance Associates, says he has "tons of letters" on his desk from clients who have received notice that their policies were canceled. The policies they have been offered are "all more expensive and not as good of coverage," he says.
One of Andrew's clients, Mary McEvoy Carroll of Menlo Park, had been paying $375 per month for a Health Net plan, with a $4,000 deductible, which is now being canceled. Her new ACA-compliant options ranged from $625 to $761 per month for a bronze plan. Andrew helped the 61-year-old Carroll sign up for a Cigna plan, and her new premium is $553 per month, with a $4,900 deductible. Andrew says this plan covers "annual wellness and preventive at 100 percent just like ACA compliant plans" and has "no less coverage overall" than plans sold on the exchange.
Carroll says she had supported the ACA, and tries "to be a good person, but 'this is for-the-greater-good philosophy' is hard to swallow when it has a large personal impact."
But buyer beware — Andrew says that Cigna will likely have a rate increase in early 2014. In California, no regulatory agency has the authority to reject rate increases. ACA-compliant plans can only change rates once a year. For consumers buying plans now on Covered California, their rates are guaranteed for all of 2014.
In addition, pre-ACA plans are all subject to medical underwriting, which allows insurers to turn people with specific conditions away, or charge them more or exclude coverage of certain conditions — a practice no longer permitted under the health law starting Jan. 1.
Carroll called the underwriting process "irritating and time consuming." She said she needed to dig up all her health records from the last 10 years, "then you get a phone call and you are asked ridiculous questions. I use a prescription cream for reduction of facial hair. It's not covered by insurance, but you have to admit to it."
The nurse who had called Carroll asked if she'd every had psychiatric counseling for the condition. "Can you imagine? 'Doctor, doctor, my facial hair is worrying me?" Carroll said with an astonished laugh.
About 900,000 Californians have had their policies canceled because they do not comply with the health benefits required by the ACA. Last month, the Covered California board voted unanimously that the cancellations will stand, no extensions would be permitted, as President Obama had requested. Canceled policies will terminate on Dec. 31.
Of those 900,000 people, about one-third of them are eligible for subsidies. People can determine if they are eligible for a subsidy in seconds using a calculator on the Covered California website. "If you're subsidy-eligible," said Andrew, "you're really going to benefit by enrolling in the exchange."
But those who are in the 1 percent of the Californians who have had their policies canceled and will pay more for comparable coverage might want to investigate these other options.
“annual wellness” visit .....
I went for my “annual wellness” visit thinking (stupidly) that it was for a physical. When I received a bill for $390, I flipped out.
Called the billing department and was told it is not a physical it is a time with the doctor to discuss concerns and fill out a twelve page questionnaire.
I was told some of the questions would be “do you fell safe in your home”, are you subject to abuse, do you own or anyone in your home own weapons”.
What a crock obamacare is.
Do you still have a copy of that questionnaire? It would be very interesting to see it. The young folks in particular don’t seem to like prying government. It could be used in campaigns this year.
No, I didn’t get one because I had a physical, not a wellness exam.
Next year I will ask for a wellness exam and keep a copy of the questionnaire.
The questions I sighted are the ones the billing department told me about, to try and explain the difference between the too.
As a preventive measure, what is preventive about sitting around chitchatting with your doctor.
“About 900,000 Californians have had their policies canceled...”
“But those who are in the 1 percent of the Californians who have had their policies canceled...”
Looks like NPR could use a little remedial arithmetic.
There are 38 million folks in California. 900,000 is about 2.3% of that total.
But 900,000 policy cancellations actually affects far more than 900,000 people. Average household size in California, according to the 2010 census, was 2.9 people. That means, 900,000 policies probably eliminated health insurance for about 2.5+ million folks, which is about 6.6%. And there will be more cancellations of individual insurance throughout 2014.
And we’re not even talking about those who will lose their current employer-provided policies.
What might be preventive for you is to ask the doctor, “Did you vote for Obama?” If the answer is yes, find a new doctor! ;-)
Obummercare, The Healthcare Placebo
Understood. But if I willingly share something, it’s one thing. If someone else is keeping tabs on me, it’s an entirely other thing!
What is Constitutional about people having the right to choose if they want an Obama compliant policy or one that is not compliant but suits their needs.
It is a bit like forcing some to buy a Cadillac instead of a Chevy.
The major reason we were not given a choice is that if we had a choice no one would buy a compliant policy.
By they way if they get away with this farce soon we will be required to buy whatever they want us to buy.
America the Free is no longer free.
“Last month, the Covered California board voted unanimously that the cancellations will stand, no extensions would be permitted, as President Obama had requested.”
Now there is a surprise, right. Given how the insurance companies have been on the O Care bandwaggon prior to day one and knowing how they see the golden ring of more policies at higher costs, they are now going to say, sure, you can keep your old plan exactly as it was with no change in cost while we just forego this windfall we drew up for ourselves. Of course they need to coconspire with the dem laden insurance commission but that was just a formality and probably a few more political donations.
1%? NPR is vastly minimizing the problem. Unless you are less than 250% poverty level the exchange plans are a sucker bet. Between 250% - 400% poverty level it's a push. But if there is adverse selection in your exchange plan then rates are liable to soar.
This summer I think we are going to see pitched battles where the carriers on the exchanges are fighting to raise rates, cancel plans or even quit the exchanges.
From the NPR comments:
“Come on, all you young, strong, folks
Uncle Obama needs you in the boat,
Got himself in a terrible jam,
Rammin’ ObamaCare down our throats
Just hope and pray that when it takes a dive
It ruins Obama voters lives
And it’s 1, 2, 3 what did we vote for?
Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn
Another screw-up by Uncle Sam”
No he did not, to write what he has said about obamA would most certainly end with an NSA visit
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