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[MRG]

My Dr. was clueless and kept denying that there were growth issues and that he ignored my concerns. The kid is now 29 and just fine.
.

Sorry for a tough start. I've used HMOs for years. Yes I had a clueless DR. who almost cost me my life. In my case it was the clueless DR. that was at fault, not the HMO. My clueless DR. I fired him, found a great DR. that later treated me through a reoccurrence of the same issue. Totally different experience.

Point is there are clueless DRs in every plan, and good ones. I know how difficult it can be, needing care and finding out your at the mercy of an id10t. Time to shop is when you're well. I have some red flags, learned from the school of hard knocks, that if I ever see, time to leave.

MRG

 

[Martha]

I have not been able to log into the Colorado site although it claims I have created an account. I was going to call them this morning when I discovered that they have added a way to browse policy offerings without an account and it will even let you shop based on what you tell them about income and family size to take into account subsidies and cost sharing. As such, I was able to find a Kaiser silver plan that would have a zero deductible, copays for most regular items (rather than coinsurance) and a $4500 family max OOP for a very reasonable amount of money based on a MAGI of $46k. Looks like the last major financial detail I needed to nal down before quitting is settled.

Anyone have experience with Kaiser as a provider? I have not been in an HMO for over a decade.

Do you have a link for how to browse policies in Colorado?

 

[brewer12345]

Do you have a link for how to browse policies in Colorado?

I can't find the link now, dangit. I think its because I found it on my work machine which must have a different browser version than my elderly netbook.

Edit: looks like this is it https://prd.connectforhealthco.com/individual/prescreen/findAPlan#

 

[Martha]

I can't find the link now, dangit. I think its because I found it on my work machine which must have a different browser version than my elderly netbook.

Edit: looks like this is it https://prd.connectforhealthco.com/individual/prescreen/findAPlan#

Thanks. I finally got a chance to see a multistate plan's cost for at least one location (Denver), which was a bit over $1500 a month for the two of us on a family plan, with a $1750 deductible for each of us. But out of state care is possible. I'd prefer a copay to deductible but it is what it is. Not cheap but not impossible either. We currently pay about $1100 a month in premiums with a $5000 deductible each.

 

[jflynn4]

SO close!

Managed to sign on this morning and the system actually recognized my user name and password. Unfortunately it also had lost most of the information that I'd already entered but it was running quickly (!!!) and seemed to be going smoothly.

False hopes.

Got to the electronic signature and "save and accept" .... After a delay of about 3 minutes, it pops up with "Error: unable to contact MEC for non esi". Error number: (blank)

So back to the drawing board .....

 

[shotgunner]

I logged in this morning again only to find my ID verification was an issue again. This time I can upload a variety of documents; drivers license, military ID, Passport etc to verify my ID. Unfortunately I am unable to upload any PDF of JPG of those documents as I get error message. My files are well below the state 10MB limit. Oh well maybe tomorrow.

 

[homebody]

SO close!

Got to the electronic signature and "save and accept" .... After a delay of about 3 minutes, it pops up with "Error: unable to contact MEC for non esi". Error number: (blank)

So back to the drawing board .....

As per the attachment below, I just got it this morning also.

There have been a few times in the last couple days I got to the last screen, but each time there is an error when trying to submit about one system or the other not being available.

 

[harley]

After that I promised to never use an HMO because they decided on care depending on how it affected their profits. I know these things have evolved since then and this was not Kaiser. Kaiser seems to be very well respected. Still, I'd rather have another type of health plan.

We've maintained our primary residence in Northern VA for 5 years after we've mostly moved to MD just to stay eligible for Kaiser (through Megacorp retiree coverage). We've had them for over 30 years, and are totally at sea regarding what most people would consider a "normal" medical plan. We've had mostly great experiences with them, and I love the one stop concept, and especially the shared information between the various departments and Drs. I understand that can be a real problem with the "find your own Dr" plans.

Now we're getting ready to move our primary residence, probably to FL. We're going to have to bite the bullet and go with a PPO type plan, one that can travel with us as snowbirds. I'm 57 now and not in the mood to learn something new. It will be interesting to see how it works. At least I won't have to deal with the ACA until megacorp decides to drop us retirees (probably in a year or two).

 

[MDJO]

Still getting the wait here page in Ohio, but I have heard that the wait times are decreasing. I'm not in immediate need of HI - don't need to make a change 'til middle of next year - so I will come back in a few months, let people get through who have a shorter time frame.

 

[Sue J]

I was able to login early this morning and had a message that I needed to upload documents to verify my ID. I didn't have time for that so I logged off and later when I tried to get back in it said my login and password were invalid. I called HealthCare.gov and the person connected me with Experian where a nice competent guy asked me silly questions like which pet did I purchase Vet Insurance for - Sparky, Coco, Rover, Kittyluv or None Of The Above.

He verified me and said I should be fine to login. Tried login and it worked but HealthCare.gov still says I'm not verified. I went through the application review to see if I could get to the verification part and upload documents and I had to go through the entire application again. Some info was still there, some not.

I think I'll walk away from this for a while, maybe stay up late one night over the weekend and see if I can get around all this bureaucratic silliness. I'm comfortable with computers, online applications, technically savvy. This has got to be just awful for the folks who don't have a computer at home and have to go to the library to get online. Wait times are awful, technical glitches are frequent and when you call the help line they don't help much.

 

[MRG]

I got on after changing to chrome, not sure if that had anything to do with it. Then the password screen, I'd set up my account in August. Well now waiting for new password. Called got in right away to a gal, who was probably reading from a script. She was helpful as she could be, suggested it may take several hours to receive email. She apologized several times for the problems their having. Not a bad customer experience, but we still got a ways to go.


MRG

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Anyone know the fate of HSA/high-deductible policies for those of us not yet on Medicare and not employed? Usual vendor didn't know, will "get back to me."

 

[pb4uski]

Despite planning to not do anything re ACA for a month or so and let the bugs get worked out, I had a spot of time this morning and decided to start the process. Setting up an account (user ID and password) went well though I will admit it is one of the most clunky user interfaces I have ever used. As an example, like some financial institutions that I deal with it allows one to select an image and phrase to assure that it is valid when you log-in but when I tried to select an image there were none to be found. Similarly, it had a message looking for my cellphone number to send you texts but with a field that was labeled email address. I entered my cellphone number and it didn't work. Email address did work.

So anyhow, I was able to set up my account and then log into it.

Then I went about trying to provide info on me (name, address, SS, etc.) pressed Next and waited (for a long time) and then 4 identity questions appeared. i answered those and then hit Next, waited a long time again and got the following error message "Failure of server APACHE bridge". Went back and tried Next again. Same result. Tried again.

Then got a message:

We are sorry we were unable to confirm your information. For help, please call our toll free Customer Support Center at 855-899-9600. Hours are Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 8am-1pm, except holidays.

The DHS reference is
The Experian code is

with no DHS or Experian codes to give with I call in.

Giving up for now. Definitely not ready for prime time and an obvious lack of user testing.

 

[MRG]

Definitely not ready for prime time and an obvious lack of user testing.

Well I guess development was done using 'agile methodology'. It cuts down testing time because that code will be redeployed shortly. There's an agile manifesto that documents how it works, in theory. Pratical experience says this is what to expect.

MRG

 

[ziggy29]

Anyone know the fate of HSA/high-deductible policies for those of us not yet on Medicare and not employed? Usual vendor didn't know, will "get back to me."

I know some HSA plans are still being offered, depending on your state. I don't know whether any of the HSA plans being offered in the Texas market, for example, are going to be available through Exchange because I can't get the damn application finished or get my identity verified to check it.

 

[ziggy29]

I was able to login early this morning and had a message that I needed to upload documents to verify my ID. I didn't have time for that so I logged off and later when I tried to get back in it said my login and password were invalid. I called HealthCare.gov and the person connected me with Experian where a nice competent guy asked me silly questions like which pet did I purchase Vet Insurance for - Sparky, Coco, Rover, Kittyluv or None Of The Above.

He verified me and said I should be fine to login. Tried login and it worked but HealthCare.gov still says I'm not verified. I went through the application review to see if I could get to the verification part and upload documents and I had to go through the entire application again. Some info was still there, some not.

This is pretty similar to my experience so far. Except that I got the vet insurance question when we never bought the product, and I answered "one of the above" and it said my identity wasn't verified. So I went to upload something to prove it. A 91KB file JPG was said to violate the 10MB file size limit.... if I had hair left I'd be pulling it out. I need this resolved within 4 days -- and see available plans and costs net of subsidies -- for various reasons. I don't have until December 15.

 

[jflynn4]

Well....success, kind of.

Got a notification that I was "approved" and could enroll BUT also got a note that I had to review my application for an issue that had to be corrected in order to retain coverage. When I click on the "issue message" I get taken to the page that says I've been approved. When I go to enroll, everything comes up (prices are better than I d expected in Florida), I'm able to enroll but the message about correcting something on the application pops up again ... And I go back to the same loop as before with no idea what the condition on the application is that must be corrected.

At Amy rate, it appears that they are getting bugs worked out slowly but surely, which is good news for everyone.

I've always been only a fan of "necessary" coverage, figuring I can handle a high deductible (which is what I have already). The plan I'm enrolling in is a $6000 deductible (each) with a max out of pocket of $12,500 BUT the first three office visits per calendar year are "free" with successive visits $40 (or $60 specialist), $4 for standard BP/cholesterol type mess, $10 generic, and $40 preferred (all with no deductible). Premium, after subsidies (gained by managing sources of taxable income), runs only $217 monthly on an HMO (which is fine since our family physician is enrolled and we're both happy with her).

Looks like this is ending up being a win for this ER (at least until the inevitable premium increases go into effect and/or the government starts looking at assets rather than strictly income.

 

[meierlde]

Well....success, kind of.

$4 for standard BP/cholesterol type mess, $10 generic, and $40 preferred (all with no deductible). Premium, after subsidies (gained by managing sources of taxable income), runs only $217 monthly on an HMO (which is fine since our family physician is enrolled and we're both happy with her).

.

Actually for genrics you can get that price without insurance at sams/wal-mart or Costco. (on the list of approved drugs). In my case the copay if I go thru the pharmacy manager is higher than the cost at Wal-Mart, so I go to Wal-Mart.

 

[Martha]

Anyone know the fate of HSA/high-deductible policies for those of us not yet on Medicare and not employed? Usual vendor didn't know, will "get back to me."

I've seen several HSA policies in my shopping. Deductibles are all over the board.

 

[M Paquette]

Anyone know the fate of HSA/high-deductible policies for those of us not yet on Medicare and not employed? Usual vendor didn't know, will "get back to me."

There are several. The ACA ones may vary by zip code, so try here:

https://www.coveredca.com/shopandcompare/#healthplans

I'm moving to the Kaiser Permanente Bronze 60 HSA plan. We'll pay 40% for pretty much everything besides the prepaid preventive care up to the family out of pocket maximum, which is at about 2 years worth of maximum HSA contributions for our family. I'll just pay at Kaiser with a HSA debit card, so I won't get to do all those nifty 1040 Sched A deductions any more, but it's way less trouble and I'm in a low bracket anyway. Laziness wins again.

 

[Katsmeow]

I need this resolved within 4 days -- and see available plans and costs net of subsidies -- for various reasons. I don't have until December 15.

I know someone posted a link showing the plans available in each county with some pricing info. I know that for at least some insurers they have pages showing more detail about the plans (such as Aetna). Not sure if there is pricing info though.

 

[clifp]

Tried again to get plan info/sign up on Hawaii Health Connector. System down for maintenance with no estimate when it will be available.

 

[Martha]

This is pretty similar to my experience so far. Except that I got the vet insurance question when we never bought the product, and I answered "one of the above" and it said my identity wasn't verified. So I went to upload something to prove it. A 91KB file JPG was said to violate the 10MB file size limit.... if I had hair left I'd be pulling it out. I need this resolved within 4 days -- and see available plans and costs net of subsidies -- for various reasons. I don't have until December 15.

I would go see a broker.

 

[jflynn4]

So .... Now that I've actually been able to get thru the system, choose a plan, and complete the process (I even got a "congratulations") .... And the page now says that my choices are "locked" .... What is the next step? There's no confirmation email .... And no billing information requested.

Do I assume that the insurance company (Blue Cross in my case) will be in further contact at some point?

 

[MRG]

There's no confirmation email .... And no billing information requested.

Do I assume that the insurance company (Blue Cross in my case) will be in further contact at some point?

I been waiting a day on a password reset email (they said 2 hors). So you might get one, or not. I'm gonna give it a day then call their support folks. I'd make the same assumtion you are, but verify..


MRG