Question about Open Enrollment

Looking4Ward · Sep 15, 2014

This year I wasn't eligible for subsidies and went directly to BCBS to purchase insurance.

With Open Enrollment coming up, I'll be eligible for subsidies next year so I plan on applying thru the exchange and picking the same BCBS plan that I currently have.

My question is, should I cancel my current BCBS policy before I purchase a new one via the Exchange? I'm guessing the systems aren't sophisticated enough to know that I'm the same person and I'd probably wind up with two policies if I didn't cancel the current one first.... ?

Sue J · Sep 15, 2014

Your policy through HealthCare.gov won't start until 1/1/15, right? Don't cancel your current policy until January.

Last year we did something similar, going from retiree insurance (2 single policies) to ACA insurance (both of us on a family policy) with the same insurance company. Being that the ACA insurance was such a new system, I called and explained the situation. DH's ID number even stayed the same but mine changed to his since we were on the same policy.

Our insurer handled everything just fine. It took a few months until they offered online bill paying but it all works well now.

ziggy29 · Sep 16, 2014

Don't cancel until your enrollment is confirmed. You can probably just not pay your January premium on the existing policy in late December as you normally might, then cancel as soon as you see you are actually insured on the new plan.

When I was laid off last year I took a short-term policy through BCBS until the end of 2013. My wife is insured through her employer but I went through the Marketplace. I have the same member ID as I had with my short-term policy.

Looking4Ward · Sep 16, 2014

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I think it will be wise to wait until the first couple of weeks in December to enroll on the Exchange so that the effective start date thru the Exchange will be 1/1/2015. There will also be a significant change in income on a year over year basis (six figure salary, bonuses, and accrued benefit payouts in 2014, nothing but dividends and capital gains in 2015) so it would also be best if the delineation between income changes match up with the start date for subsidies.

My initial experience with BCBS's billing systems was a nightmare which is why I'm skeptical they will get it right. Sounds like going forward with the Exchange, getting a policy secured and confirmed thru the Exchange, and then not paying/cancelling any redundant invoicing is the way to go.

wolf · Sep 16, 2014

Looking4Ward said:
Thanks for the advice. Yes, I think it will be wise to wait until the first couple of weeks in December to enroll on the Exchange so that the effective start date thru the Exchange will be 1/1/2015. There will also be a significant change in income on a year over year basis (six figure salary, bonuses, and accrued benefit payouts in 2014, nothing but dividends and capital gains in 2015) so it would also be best if the delineation between income changes match up with the start date for subsidies.

My initial experience with BCBS's billing systems was a nightmare which is why I'm skeptical they will get it right. Sounds like going forward with the Exchange, getting a policy secured and confirmed thru the Exchange, and then not paying/cancelling any redundant invoicing is the way to go.

Have ACA for 2014. Used, Blue shield of CA. You should "yelp"
them.
claims, billing, premiums, dept. a mess. When ever you call, you get a
different answer.
During open enrollment, will change carriers.

pb4uski · Sep 16, 2014

One benefit of a private pay system - if you don't like your insurer, you can change.

Question about Open Enrollment

Looking4Ward

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Sue J

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ziggy29

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Looking4Ward

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wolf

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pb4uski

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