ACA Federal Marketplace updates

[bUU]

I doubt anyone thought that the cost of healthcare would magically vanish. At worst, perhaps there were some people who thought that they should have gotten some relief but were disappointed by the fact that the system was not made that much more progressive.

 

[Which Roger]

VERY wise move to go COBRA, at least for now. Once you leave COBRA you cannot go back even during your usu eligibility window.

I ERd 2 months ago, enrolled in COBRA, and just renewed for 2014. I probably could have found something less expensive elsewhere, but with all the uncertainty regarding the ACA and HI in general, I'm willing to pay a bit more in the short term for some peace of mind.

 

[Gatordoc50]

I ERd 2 months ago, enrolled in COBRA, and just renewed for 2014. I probably could have found something less expensive elsewhere, but with all the uncertainty regarding the ACA and HI in general, I'm willing to pay a bit more in the short term for some peace of mind.

I think we will quickly evolve into a situation where only those that receive subsidies will use the exchanges. Many who qualify for subsidies will just take the tax credit and there won't be any reason to use it if you aren't subsidized.

 

[Mulligan]

Part of the new preventative care coverage mandates to include awake colonoscopies

Not a timely joke....I turn 50 next year!

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I think we will quickly evolve into a situation where only those that receive subsidies will use the exchanges. Many who qualify for subsidies will just take the tax credit and there won't be any reason to use it if you aren't subsidized.

Unless it proves to be Cheaper than other alternatives. One way to make sure people use it is to make it more attractive. One step closer to single payer..... Yah!

 

[Mulligan]

Unless it proves to be Cheaper than other alternatives. One way to make sure people use it is to make it more attractive. One step closer to single payer..... Yah!

I hope I am proven wrong, but I think many people on this forum are way more logical and self disciplined than some of the folks at large who are eligible to participate. Ya, the unhealthy ones will no doubt join. But I think many more people out there than we would like to believe fall into these two camps: 1)" Even with the subsidy I still would have to pay "X" dollars. What a waste. I'm healthy, and besides I would have to cancel my IPhone plan to pay for it." 2)" What is this exchange? Never heard about it...Snooki hasn't mentioned it on her show."

 

[RunningBum]

Not a timely joke....I turn 50 next year!

Off topic but that was such a non-event for me that I wouldn't worry about it at all. Sure, you have to drink the stuff to empty the pipes, but knowing what will happen and being at home makes it easier to deal with than a sudden case that hits while your out somewhere like the golf course. Fasting isn't fun either but drinking water and certain gatorade flavors that are clear enough help. I don't recall anything at all about the procedure. One minute I'm on the table, next thing I know I'm getting in the passenger seat for my ride home. And the rest of that day was kind of a pleasant buzz with no hangover or let down.

 

[NoMoreJob]

Interesting article today in USA Today.....

Health care exchange glitches linger

I especially like the following quote from HHS:

"We won't stop improving HealthCare.gov until its doors are wide open, and at the end of the six-month open enrollment, millions of Americans gain affordable coverage," said HHS spokeswoman Joanne Peters.

The 'doors are wide open' but it's tough to get by the barricades!

Fortunately I live in a state with it's own exchange that seems to be working better. But what about people with individual policies who can't get through the federal mess? The 'end of the six month open enrollment' doesn't work for them when their policies likely expire on 12/31.

 

[MRG]

Off topic but that was such a non-event for me that I wouldn't worry about it at all. Sure, you have to drink the stuff to empty the pipes, but knowing what will happen and being at home makes it easier to deal with than a sudden case that hits while your out somewhere like the golf course. Fasting isn't fun either but drinking water and certain gatorade flavors that are clear enough help. I don't recall anything at all about the procedure. One minute I'm on the table, next thing I know I'm getting in the passenger seat for my ride home. And the rest of that day was kind of a pleasant buzz with no hangover or let down.

Agreed, my first two upper and lowers were a breeze. Was not on the meds I am now.

Make sure they know all your meds and are prepared for your needs. I had an upper done 6 months ago. Gave 3 different folks my meds, asked to ensure there would be no issues. Was reassured all three times my meds were not an issue.

When the gal that was doing the sedation looked at what I was taking she freaked. 'We don't have the proper sedation ordered for you'. She was correct, I never went out, was awake through the whole process. Not the best time I've had. Next time, I'll refuse the procedure, if they can't sedate me properly. The Dr. did apologize multiple times for the mix-up.

MRG

 

[ERhoosier]

Ran across this transcript from PBS's Diane Rehm Show about the Exchange roll out. One guest was Dr (PhD) Jon Kingsdale who was Exec Director of Mass HI exchange ("Romneycare") during its roll out in 2006 ...and a big supporter of Obamacare. He basically thinks Oct is a browsing month but that Exchange will run into REAL problems if it's not functioning well by Nov when serious "sign-up" volume is expected to start. Although HHS is working to fix the current Exchange shopping "glitches", so-far (according to JK) the "turnstyle" functions (e.g. going from one's completed applications to HI Plan implementation with the carrier) have not been tested against the expected Nov volume. As a rough predictor of turnstyle demand, he said that in MA about 1 of 18 "shoppers" actually bought HI.
BTW, updating earlier speculation on this forum, both he and another guest (Radnofsky from WSJ) stated there was no evidence of DOS attacks so far and that some states had system problems despite "modest volume".
Challenges For The New Health Insurance Exchanges | The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU and NPR

Hopefully these Exchange issues get ironed out soon, inc fixing the promised provider network info functions which was not even mentioned during this program.

 

[Birdie Num Nums]

Helps but my situation is pretty complicated. As a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe I've read that we'll have income low enough that I should qualify for any Exchange plan (even a Bronze one) with *no* cost sharing (copays or deductible) on me. That should make it even more attractive to go that route but I don't want to assume that and be wrong before I can *confirm* it through the Exchange itself.

Here's a secondary source (a newspaper article) published today that says, in part:

The ACA includes provisions for American Indians and Native Alaskans that make purchasing insurance on the exchange an even better proposition than it is for everyone else. They can sign up at any time - there are no open enrollment deadlines. Tribal members with incomes below 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($34,470 for an individual) are exempt from paying deductibles and copays, so they can purchase the cheapest plans without worrying about out-of-pocket expenses. All tribal members, no matter what income level, are exempt from out-of-pocket payments if they receive services from Indian health facilities. And unlike employers, tribes can pay exchange premiums for their members without paying taxes. In addition, a separate law that has governed Native American health care for decades - the Indian Health Care Improvement Act - was amended when the ACA was signed. New provisions make it easier for Indian health facilities to accept payments from other insurers, including Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance. The new law also expands the types of services the facilities can offer and requires inclusion of behavioral health and substance abuse treatments.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

Agreed, my first two upper and lowers were a breeze. Was not on the meds I am now.

Make sure they know all your meds and are prepared for your needs. I had an upper done 6 months ago. Gave 3 different folks my meds, asked to ensure there would be no issues. Was reassured all three times my meds were not an issue.

When the gal that was doing the sedation looked at what I was taking she freaked. 'We don't have the proper sedation ordered for you'. She was correct, I never went out, was awake through the whole process. Not the best time I've had. Next time, I'll refuse the procedure, if they can't sedate me properly. The Dr. did apologize multiple times for the mix-up.

MRG

What stopped you from leaving this time, if this was before the procedure took place? You have more guts that I do, that's for sure.

 

[MRG]

What stopped you from leaving this time, if this was before the procedure took place? You have more guts that I do, that's for sure.

Well they said it wouldn't be so bad, 'after all you don't have a gag reflex'. I did get relaxed from the meds, but the choking and gagging was still too much. I guess after they were stuffing tubes down me, I didn't want to start panicing.

After having several cervical spine epidurals, and the pain that led up to them. I'm too easy of a patient.

MRG

 

[killingme]

I hope I am proven wrong, but I think many people on this forum are way more logical and self disciplined than some of the folks at large who are eligible to participate. Ya, the unhealthy ones will no doubt join. But I think many more people out there than we would like to believe fall into these two camps: 1)" Even with the subsidy I still would have to pay "X" dollars. What a waste. I'm healthy, and besides I would have to cancel my IPhone plan to pay for it." 2)" What is this exchange? Never heard about it...Snooki hasn't mentioned it on her show."

snooki never mentioned it!?!?! Forget it then

 

[marko]

snooki never mentioned it!?!?! Forget it then

With over 30 years in marketing, I cannot believe the lack of 'push' and overall poor information on something this important, this big and this complicated.

They SHOULD get Snooki out there selling this! I would! "Hi. You know me as Snooki, but my son knows me as "mom" and it's my responsibility to make sure he gets the best of health care......"

Have a few media events "A special night with Brian Williams about the new healthcare law"; a full 60 minutes special; full page ads; a dedicated cable channel on loop/on demand; "Health Insurance: It's the Law!" at ball parks....something. Instead....crickets.

The business world's trash bin is full of products that were great ideas but poorly executed.

This should be on the tip of everyone's tongue as even those who are insured are effected. Worst case: "Can't wait to get everyone paying their fair share"

I've mentioned several times on this forum that there are educated, informed people who still believe this will be free to everyone.

 

[Moemg]

With over 30 years in marketing, I cannot believe the lack of 'push' and overall poor information on something this important, this big and this complicated.

They SHOULD get Snooki out there selling this! I would! "Hi. You know me as Snooki, but my son knows me as "mom" and it's my responsibility to make sure he gets the best of health care......"

Have a few media events "A special night with Brian Williams about the new healthcare law"; a full 60 minutes special; full page ads; a dedicated cable channel on loop/on demand; "Health Insurance: It's the Law!" at ball parks....something. Instead....crickets.

The business world's trash bin is full of products that were great ideas but poorly executed.

This should be on the tip of everyone's tongue as even those who are insured are effected. Worst case: "Can't wait to get everyone paying their fair share"

I've mentioned several times on this forum that there are educated, informed people who still believe this will be free to everyone.

This is a great idea . The should also have booklets that walk people thru the process .Medicare has a great booklet .

 

[golfnut]

Has anyone in the state of Illinois have any success in getting a quote? Just curious to hear how it went (good or bad).

Thanks,
Golfnut

 

[NW-Bound]

I've mentioned several times on this forum that there are educated, informed people who still believe this will be free to everyone.

The truth is if I were still with a megacorp and covered by its group insurance, and not thinking of an immediate early retirement, I would not bother to learn up on Obamacare either. Here I am, knowing that this is important to me as an ER, and I have spent a lot of time on this.

It was not so much about the laws (I had a perfect score with a 10-question test at Kaiser), but rather about the implementation details, such as if it were possible to buy an ACA-qualified insurance policy off the gummint's exchange, etc...

I have been most impressed by posters here who follow and understand the law and to point out various info to me. I can only hope that the people who are executing the law, meaning setting up rules on the exchange and running it, know to interpret the law correctly as it was written.

Still have not bothered to go open an account there.

 

[marko]

The truth is if I were still with a megacorp and covered by its group insurance, and not thinking of an immediate early retirement, I would not bother to learn up on Obamacare either. .

You're exactly right. Which is why it is even more important to target, inform and motivate those who need it most and understand it least.

I just don't see that happening. My slacker niece (errr...no megacorp job for her) is likewise clueless and couldn't care less.

 

[NW-Bound]

You're exactly right. Which is why it is even more important to target, inform and motivate those who need it most and understand it least.

I just don't see that happening. My slacker niece (errr...no megacorp job for her) is likewise clueless and couldn't care less.

Well, there are people who want this to fail. From one side, so that the law will get repealed. Also from the other side, so that they can push their agenda further. And the ignorant masses are not helping matter any.

We live in an interesting time.

 

[sengsational]

Income Verification

I didn't know this was part of he deal! When I applied, I put in 2012 interest and dividends, then just under 400% FPL in 'other' to cover Roth conversions. Oh, I'm working this year, but not next. Is someone going to challenge my estimate? I thought that they planned to just catch you on your 2015 1040!

 

[modhatter]

States who do not politically support the ACA have done very little to help people with information, In fact in many states, it has been just the opposite. Also, news stations were set to run specials about signing up for the exchange and explaining it to people, but guess what happened instead.

All specials were cancelled because we had other big news to Fry.
GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN.

 

[jflynn4]

States who do not politically support the ACA have done very little to help people with information, In fact in many states, it has been just the opposite. Also, news stations were set to run specials about signing up for the exchange and explaining it to people, but guess what happened instead.

All specials were cancelled because we had other big news to Fry.
GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN.

Can't disagree but if there's a silver lining to the whole news thing that you mention, it is this. Can you imagine if everyone who was eligible for coverage was trying to do so through the exchange the past couple weeks? The numbers I've heard are a tiny percentage of those who "should" be using the system in the next 60 days. Hopefully they get the "glitches" (seems to be the folks at the 800 #'s favorite word) worked out in pretty short order.

Getting 30,000,000 squeezed through that time portal is going to be more than just a little interesting!

 

[NW-Bound]

I didn't know this was part of he deal! When I applied, I put in 2012 interest and dividends, then just under 400% FPL in 'other' to cover Roth conversions. Oh, I'm working this year, but not next. Is someone going to challenge my estimate? I thought that they planned to just catch you on your 2015 1040!

In researching the subsidy, I found that there were two parts: subsidy for the premium, and subsidy for the cost sharing or the OOP. Both are paid directly to the insurer.

A paper said that the premium subsidy will be reconciled at the year end with the taxpayer return. A credit or additional tax levy will apply as appropriate.

However, the OOP subsidy would not be clawed back nor credited for (why??). Hence, they want to be sure that an applicant really qualifies.

Another weird and crazy thing about the US tax laws, but we should be used to this by now.

 

[Gatordoc50]

Can't disagree but if there's a silver lining to the whole news thing that you mention, it is this. Can you imagine if everyone who was eligible for coverage was trying to do so through the exchange the past couple weeks? The numbers I've heard are a tiny percentage of those who "should" be using the system in the next 60 days. Hopefully they get the "glitches" (seems to be the folks at the 800 #'s favorite word) worked out in pretty short order.

Getting 30,000,000 squeezed through that time portal is going to be more than just a little interesting!

The estimate at this point is that 36 thousand have signed up.