Our ACA application completed; first month premium paid

[fh2000]

Our situation is a little unique. DW and I both resigned and worked a couple of days the first week of January 2019. We have group coverage for the month of January. We needed ACA coverage beginning 2/1/19.

I started to fill out our CoveredCA application in December of 2018 as was suggested on their website. I had to call CoveredCA helpline few times because some of the questions are confusing. When I was ready to pick a plan, it showed that the begin date was 1/1/19. The agent on the phone did not know how to make it to begin on 2/1/19. Her supervisor came in to help but still not working. I had to ask them to cancel the plan selected (but keep the application), and they told me to come back again in January.

So, I came back and was able to select a Blue Cross HSA PPO plan for 2 of us. It has a $12,000 annual deductible, though the premium is only $2 a month.

Overall experience: It is almost impossible to just sign up online and be done in our case. I had to call the helpline no less than 10 times since December. But the helpline agents are all very friendly and patient with me. I feel quite content with the system and the process now that I have gone thru once.

 

[VanWinkle]

Our situation is a little unique. DW and I both resigned and worked a couple of days the first week of January 2019. We have group coverage for the month of January. We needed ACA coverage beginning 2/1/19.

I started to fill out our CoveredCA application in December of 2018 as was suggested on their website. I had to call CoveredCA helpline few times because some of the questions are confusing. When I was ready to pick a plan, it showed that the begin date was 1/1/19. The agent on the phone did not know how to make it to begin on 2/1/19. Her supervisor came in to help but still not working. I had to ask them to cancel the plan selected (but keep the application), and they told me to come back again in January.

So, I came back and was able to select a Blue Cross HSA PPO plan for 2 of us. It has a $12,000 annual deductible, though the premium is only $2 a month.

Overall experience: It is almost impossible to just sign up online and be done in our case. I had to call the helpline no less than 10 times since December. But the helpline agents are all very friendly and patient with me. I feel quite content with the system and the process now that I have gone thru once.

It will be easier online next year. I'm on year two and it gets easier.

 

[USGrant1962]

I signed up for the first time in Maryland in early December. The online experience was OK for sign-up, but rather terrible since. The site was absolutely locked until January 2 (coverage started January 1) so I could not see my official plan coverage, Rx, doctors list, etc.

Then on Jan 2 I was finally able to select my PCP. I was totally unable to select PCP for DW or DS. So two days ago I receive my printed/laminated insurance card. Just mine - nothing for DW or DS.

After "secure messaging" with a question on 1/2 (no response) and checking in every day or so for a week, the system still refused to allow me to select PCPs for DW and DS (though they were listed on the website as covered). I finally called BC/BS today and got it straightened out, I think. We'll see if I receive cards for them in the next couple of days.

5 years of PPACA and the system(s) are still a cluster.

OH, but the billing part of the website worked a charm...

 

[SecondCor521]

I signed up for the first time in Maryland in early December. The online experience was OK for sign-up, but rather terrible since. The site was absolutely locked until January 2 (coverage started January 1) so I could not see my official plan coverage, Rx, doctors list, etc.

Then on Jan 2 I was finally able to select my PCP. I was totally unable to select PCP for DW or DS. So two days ago I receive my printed/laminated insurance card. Just mine - nothing for DW or DS.

After "secure messaging" with a question on 1/2 (no response) and checking in every day or so for a week, the system still refused to allow me to select PCPs for DW and DS (though they were listed on the website as covered). I finally called BC/BS today and got it straightened out, I think. We'll see if I receive cards for them in the next couple of days.

5 years of PPACA and the system(s) are still a cluster.

OH, but the billing part of the website worked a charm...

In my state, seeing plan coverage and Rx/doctor lists and selecting a PCP and receiving insurance cards would all be on the insurance company, not the PPACA and ACA marketplace website.

Emphasis added. I think it is state dependent. My state has been really easy and straightforward (both the ACA marketplace and the insurance company).

I'm saddened that you had a bad experience.

 

[Dtail]

I had the Blue Cross rep and a healthcare exchange rep on the line and signed up through this manner. It was a fairly smooth process.

 

[street]

My experience has mostly been positive. Our Insurer helped with application from the start and has sent any documentation that ACA has needed for us. The only issues I have seen is that when ACA needs letter of explanation or document our Insurer has sent it and they say they haven't received it. Then all of a sudden they got it. LOL I take a lot of that for just being a very busy place in such a short time during enrollment time.

 

[24601NoMore]

So, I came back and was able to select a Blue Cross HSA PPO plan for 2 of us. It has a $12,000 annual deductible, though the premium is only $2 a month.

HOLY COW - how are you able to get a premium of only $2 a month?! Cheapest PPO I can find here is ~$1,400/month for the two of us, with $6,500 per person deductible.

Is your $12K deductible per person, or combined for the two of you?

Now I see why some people love the "A"CA and others (like us) absolutely hate it.

 

[Dtail]

HOLY COW - how are you able to get a premium of only $2 a month?! Cheapest PPO I can find here is ~$1,400/month for the two of us, with $6,500 per person deductible.

Is your $12K deductible per person, or combined for the two of you?

Now I see why some people love the "A"CA and others (like us) absolutely hate it.

What state and county one lives in makes a huge difference.
My premium for a full Silver plan filing as head of household with a MAGI of 20k is $65 monthly with no deductible and max OOP of $1,450.

 

[fh2000]

HOLY COW - how are you able to get a premium of only $2 a month?! Cheapest PPO I can find here is ~$1,400/month for the two of us, with $6,500 per person deductible.

Is your $12K deductible per person, or combined for the two of you?

Now I see why some people love the "A"CA and others (like us) absolutely hate it.

Our projected household income is $52,500 for 2019. We no longer have salaries from Megacorp. The income sources are the remaining bonus, and dividend/interest.

The $12K deductible is for the family of 2. I am surprised to see the $2 premium also and asked a couple of time if that is an error. Different helpline agents checked and see no issues.

The total potential overall cost for us is the OOP $13,300. If we go out of network, it will be $40,000.