Insurers already calculating 2015 premiums as Obamacare kicks in

Los Angeles Times ^ | March 30, 2014 | By Chad Terhune

[Scoutmaster]

I would like to see her face when she finds out the co-pay and the deductible make her pay for almost all, if not all, of her visits and tests.

You may be surprised at how many tests and procedures Obamacare mandates that insurers cover without cost-sharing (i.e., no deductible or copayment.

First, ignore healthcare.gov. It lies when it lists only fifteen free preventive care services.

The specific free/no cost-sharing services mandated by Obamacare are listed in the five subsections of 42 U.S.C. § 300gg–13(a) (Coverage of preventive health services).

Subsection (1) of 42 U.S.C. § 300gg–13(a) provides:

[A group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage shall, at a minimum provide coverage for and shall not impose any cost sharing requirements for] evidence-based items or services that have in effect a rating of “A” or “B” in the current recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force[.]

The United States Preventive Services Task Force has a lengthy list of recommendations of preventive care for adults.

Trust me or confirm for yourself, the United States Preventive Services Task Force has more than fifteen "A" or "B"-rated recommendations for cancer alone, contrary to what healthcare.gov says about there being only fifteen items or services in total.

One of its A-rated (and therefore, mandated with no cost-sharing) preventive care procedures is a colonoscopy.

Mammographies are currently under consideration.

Before the passage of Obamacare/ACA, I recall speculating with a partner of mine just how fast the United States Preventive Services Task Force would begin to generate more "A" or "B"-rated tests or procedures once its recommendations meant that the tests or procedures must be covered without cost to the patient.

[Repeal The 17th]

The premiums have to reflect the costs of all of the mandated “free” (cough, cough) stuff.

Policies are now more like having a pre-paid health care plan.

You pay for those services up-front through your premiums whether you actually use them or not.

[CharlesWayneCT]

And when they do, nobody will know the new prices until November 15th, AFTER the election, because the Obama administration unilaterally moved enrollment until after the election.

They will most likely threaten companies who try to put out the information early, just like they threatened defense contractors who were going to follow the law and put out layoff warnings.

[Scoutmaster]

You: Preacher.

Me: Choir.