Heeeeeeere's Obamacare!

[Minoosh]

Repealed? Probably nothing. If they are subsidized they will be on the hook for the total bill going forward, but they could drop coverage without penalty.

I haven't read this whole monster thread but I was un-insurable, even if I waived treatment for the condition that led to previous health-care claims. "Affordability" might have been key in the legislation as titled and written, but all I wanted was insurance against a heart attack, cancer or similar catastrophe. I could not get health insurance at any price, or with any concession; it simply was unavailable.

Subsidizing had nothing to do with it. I might have qualified for a subsidy but didn't really check. I did not mind paying a fair premium. The complete lack of coverage, however, was frightening.

 

[Blue Mountain]

Subsidizing had nothing to do with it. I might have qualified for a subsidy but didn't really check. I did not mind paying a fair premium. The complete lack of coverage, however, was frightening.

The ACA is supposed to guarantee coverage despite pre-existing conditions. Are you still unable to find insurance, or do your pre-existing conditions make the cost prohibitive?

 

[Leftus]

I haven't read this whole monster thread but I was un-insurable, even if I waived treatment for the condition that led to previous health-care claims. "Affordability" might have been key in the legislation as titled and written, but all I wanted was insurance against a heart attack, cancer or similar catastrophe. I could not get health insurance at any price, or with any concession; it simply was unavailable.

Subsidizing had nothing to do with it. I might have qualified for a subsidy but didn't really check. I did not mind paying a fair premium. The complete lack of coverage, however, was frightening.

I was focused more on what would happen given the current legal challenges. The odds of a 100% repeal just aren't in the cards. The President won't sign in and Congress doesn't have a veto majority. But the Court could quite easily rule that the subsidies only apply to those who used a state exchange and that would have an interesting fallout.

There is little doubt in my mind that this whole thing was brought about by the insurance companies doing all sorts of dubious practices and if given free reign would go right back to them. But if you now have coverage they couldn't pull the pre-existing condition claim scam to not pay because you are currently covered. The question then became, in my mind, what about the subsidies and that is what I was answering.

 

[boooeee]

I haven't read this whole monster thread but I was un-insurable, even if I waived treatment for the condition that led to previous health-care claims. "Affordability" might have been key in the legislation as titled and written, but all I wanted was insurance against a heart attack, cancer or similar catastrophe. I could not get health insurance at any price, or with any concession; it simply was unavailable.

Subsidizing had nothing to do with it. I might have qualified for a subsidy but didn't really check. I did not mind paying a fair premium. The complete lack of coverage, however, was frightening.

Emphasis on was. Did you actually check to see if you could get coverage? The rules are different, starting in 2014. You can't be denied based on pre-ex. They can't sell you a policy that excludes coverage for your pre-ex. They can't even charge you more due to your pre-ex.

Seriously. Check now.

 

[Marcus]

They can't even ask you if you have a preexisting condition. Age and location only.

 

[Kestrel]

They can't even ask you if you have a preexisting condition. Age and location only.

Asking about tobacco use is also permitted by the ACA. But some states do not allow higher rates for tobacco users. Does anyone know why?

 

[Kestrel]

Emphasis on was. Did you actually check to see if you could get coverage? The rules are different, starting in 2014. You can't be denied based on pre-ex. They can't sell you a policy that excludes coverage for your pre-ex. They can't even charge you more due to your pre-ex.

Seriously. Check now.

The Kaiser Calculator is easier to use than Heathcare.gov and has been updated with 2015 rates.

http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/

 

[Fast Eddie B]

I also took Minoosh's post to be reflecting on past issues concerning insurability.

My assumption was that it was simply prologue to an improved situation now where he (or she?) can (and has?) gotten insured.

But I think its best if it gets clarified.

 

[Mike!]

Boy, this guy would make a bad politician.





Why? Is he trying to sabotage his own creation?

He may understand economics, but he clearly doesn't have a clue about politics.

Every time I see him, there's something about him that makes me think of Mel Brooks playing the Governor in Blazing Saddles...
Just a wee bit NSFW

"Hello boys, have a good nights rest? I missed you!"

 

[thaiboxerken]

Not dismissing your comment but I couldn't help but laugh because so many republican positions are based on deliberately lying about what they are doing.

Photo ID, reducing voting times, Intelligent design, requirements for admitting privileges for abortion doctors, to name just a few.

And then they feign outrage at "lies" told by any political opponent.

 

[Grizzly Bear]

Welcome to the oldest profession on earth. It just points out that the democratic party is almost indistinguishable in it's practice as a gigantic sack of hypocrisy from it's opposing counterpart. And this guy gets my vote as douche bag of the year for the amount of truth he told using a straight face. Though strangely it puts a reality out there that most partisan hacks never entertain. And yeah... republicans have different problems... sue me for not liking either.

By the way I got my first practical use of "Obamacare". Nice little root canal will set me back $3,000 because my dental coverage I found doesn't cover major operations for people over 18 years of age. I will take some of the blame for not seeing this sooner myself to be fair, but it goes back to the argument I've continually made.... the ACA doesn't "fix" the cost issues of treatments which is the source of insurance premiums and out of pocket expenses, and this is a pretty unfortunate way to experience that.

EDIT: I will be checking alternative options for enrollment soon enough, so maybe my sticker shock will eventually go away... I'll report back "if" my situation improves with a better researched choice before I let my partisan hack side go on a feeding frenzy.

 

[DavidJames]

Welcome to the oldest profession on earth. It just points out that the democratic party is almost indistinguishable in it's practice as a gigantic sack of hypocrisy from it's opposing counterpart. And this guy gets my vote as douche bag of the year for the amount of truth he told using a straight face. Though strangely it puts a reality out there that most partisan hacks never entertain. And yeah... republicans have different problems... sue me for not liking either.

By the way I got my first practical use of "Obamacare". Nice little root canal will set me back $3,000 because my dental coverage I found doesn't cover major operations for people over 18 years of age. I will take some of the blame for not seeing this sooner myself to be fair, but it goes back to the argument I've continually made.... the ACA doesn't "fix" the cost issues of treatments which is the source of insurance premiums and out of pocket expenses, and this is a pretty unfortunate way to experience that.

EDIT: I will be checking alternative options for enrollment soon enough, so maybe my sticker shock will eventually go away... I'll report back "if" my situation improves with a better researched choice before I let my partisan hack side go on a feeding frenzy.

Sorry but you need to take all the blame. You chose insurance which ended up costing you more. I chose insurance that doesn't and it didn't cost me a penny more and doesn't change for 2015. The ACA doesn't fix people choosing poorly.

 

[Newtons Bit]

Welcome to the oldest profession on earth. It just points out that the democratic party is almost indistinguishable in it's practice as a gigantic sack of hypocrisy from it's opposing counterpart. And this guy gets my vote as douche bag of the year for the amount of truth he told using a straight face. Though strangely it puts a reality out there that most partisan hacks never entertain. And yeah... republicans have different problems... sue me for not liking either.

By the way I got my first practical use of "Obamacare". Nice little root canal will set me back $3,000 because my dental coverage I found doesn't cover major operations for people over 18 years of age. I will take some of the blame for not seeing this sooner myself to be fair, but it goes back to the argument I've continually made.... the ACA doesn't "fix" the cost issues of treatments which is the source of insurance premiums and out of pocket expenses, and this is a pretty unfortunate way to experience that.

EDIT: I will be checking alternative options for enrollment soon enough, so maybe my sticker shock will eventually go away... I'll report back "if" my situation improves with a better researched choice before I let my partisan hack side go on a feeding frenzy.

Ouch. I stealthily lost my dental coverage as well, but thankfully found out after a cleaning and not major work.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

Totally dismissing any account/anecdote that conflicts with one's preconceived notions is nearly the definition of an ideologue.

Just sayin'!

 

[Grizzly Bear]

Sorry but you need to take all the blame.

Yeah, so sorry I didn't look harder when I was making $1300/month as an independent contractor with a $235/month school loan, $120/month car insurance, and the rest going to basic groceries and rent and a new health care requirement that stood to penalize me further via taxes next year. I don't know what you're income is or how much your plan is but I tried to find an intermediate option that was in my budget at the time and not just a bare bones catastrophic plan. And I didn't catch the provisions on the major treatments when I signed up.

What got lost in your partisan blaming is that I'm trying to hold off on blaming the law specifically until such time I determine that there is either indeed a better plan that is still affordable that I can find by researching better or determine that these loophole in the insurance services is not an anomaly. If it turns out there is I'll blow off my rant and learn from the mistake. Maybe before you fire your partisan talking points you should consider that next time. I did say as much. And for the record the insurance premiums themselves weren't the issue. The issue I pointed out is that while I failed perhaps to research what my plan actually offered in more specific areas, the provisions in the ACA requirements introduce incentives for insurance companies to cut costs wherever they can. INCLUDING, such provisions as I just found out about.

Lastly I just got a fair raise that would have allowed me to devote more to a better plan, this unexpected cost, is going to set me back for a while since even though my salary is significantly higher now than it used to be this singular expense wipes out a month and a half's worth of pay. Thank god I don't rely on that to pay a mortgage.

I try not to allow my partisan views to intoxicate the valid points of a discussion. Not surprisingly, ideology with others isn't such a simple matter as what I am responding to indicates.

Ouch. I stealthily lost my dental coverage as well, but thankfully found out after a cleaning and not major work.

My mom's insurance was pretty decent when I had it. But even her coverage is kinda going to pots. They've been reducing some of their coverage items while keeping the premiums stable. I got off of it when I turned 26 so I'm not in tune with what they cover now, but since the ACA got passed they're done little things presumably to deal with increased costs on their end. Still I find the raw costs to be ridiculous... 1500 for the root canal, another 300 for the post and core, and another 1200 for the crown.... want an implant? Pay $7,000 for a single tooth. And people wonder why insurance premiums are so stupidly high... and continue to increase.

 

[Magyar]

By the way I got my first practical use of "Obamacare". Nice little root canal will set me back $3,000 because my dental coverage I found doesn't cover major operations for people over 18 years of age. I will take some of the blame for not seeing this sooner myself to be fair, but it goes back to the argument I've continually made.... the ACA doesn't "fix" the cost issues of treatments which is the source of insurance premiums and out of pocket expenses, and this is a pretty unfortunate way to experience that.
.

Maybe slightly off topic here, and you might just have been hyperbole. But your $3000 figure stood out like a sore tooth and makes one question your honesty and the integrity of your argument.
http://health.costhelper.com/root-canal.html National average for a root canal is less then 1/3rd of the figure you posted. So if that is in fact what you paid, then it's not Obama's fault, ACA's fault or anyone else's - you just became and exemplar of old Barnum and Bailey's axiom.

As for the rest of your statement - In typical fashion right wingers continue to forget (how convenient) that the ACA is a 100% right wing market driven "solution" and is one of the biggest corp welfare programs ever. So YEA it doesn't fix the major problem with cost of healthcare - corp greed.

 

[Newtons Bit]

Maybe slightly off topic here, and you might just have been hyperbole. But your $3000 figure stood out like a sore tooth and makes one question your honesty and the integrity of your argument.
http://health.costhelper.com/root-canal.html National average for a root canal is less then 1/3rd of the figure you posted. So if that is in fact what you paid, then it's not Obama's fault, ACA's fault or anyone else's - you just became and exemplar of old Barnum and Bailey's axiom.

As for the rest of your statement - In typical fashion right wingers continue to forget (how convenient) that the ACA is a 100% right wing market driven "solution" and is one of the biggest corp welfare programs ever. So YEA it doesn't fix the major problem with cost of healthcare - corp greed.

So much fail...

 

[Minoosh]

The ACA is supposed to guarantee coverage despite pre-existing conditions. Are you still unable to find insurance, or do your pre-existing conditions make the cost prohibitive?

To you and other posters: I got onto the government's pre-existing plan after being turned down for insurance and remaining uninsured for 6 months. When that was phased out I easily found insurance under the "exchange" program.

I could probably qualify for a subsidy based on my income but there are family resources available so I'm not too keen on trying to gouge the government. The feds actually wanted me to have insurance, in sharp contrast to the insurance companies and the Republican Party.

 

[Grizzly Bear]

Maybe slightly off topic here, and you might just have been hyperbole. But your $3000 figure stood out like a sore tooth and makes one question your honesty and the integrity of your argument.
http://health.costhelper.com/root-canal.html National average for a root canal is less then 1/3rd of the figure you posted.

You also realize right? That a tooth treated with a root canal requires follow up restoration, and the cost increase when the affected tooth is a molar don't you? The Endodontist charged me $1500 for the root canal. The other $1500 is going to come between the post & core preparation for the tooth that I've already done (~300) and the crown I have to have fabricated (~1200) which I'm getting done in the next two weeks.

The only saving grace here maybe, is whereas I had to pay for the initial root canal up front, I may have the option to spread the costs better with the other half, since the general dentist isn't making me pay up front right after each procedure. You want me to start posting my receipts when I have them...?

As for the rest of your statement - In typical fashion right wingers continue to forget (how convenient) that the ACA is a 100% right wing market driven "solution" and is one of the biggest corp welfare programs ever. So YEA it doesn't fix the major problem with cost of healthcare - corp greed.

Yeah, I don't subscribe to talking points. I get they exist far more than than they should, but you're basically just criticizing talking points with another talking point. Because political partisans can't fathom that someone could possibly want to discuss a something pragmatically with a bit more of an objective view point.

 

[Fudbucker]

You also realize right? That a tooth treated with a root canal requires follow up restoration, and the cost increase when the affected tooth is a molar don't you? The Endodontist charged me $1500 for the root canal. The other $1500 is going to come between the post & core preparation for the tooth that I've already done (~300) and the crown I have to have fabricated (~1200) which I'm getting done in the next two weeks.

The only saving grace here maybe, is whereas I had to pay for the initial root canal up front, I may have the option to spread the costs better with the other half, since the general dentist isn't making me pay up front right after each procedure. You want me to start posting my receipts when I have them...?


Yeah, I don't subscribe to talking points. I get they exist far more than than they should, but you're basically just criticizing talking points with another talking point. Because political partisans can't fathom that someone could possibly want to discuss a something pragmatically with a bit more of an objective view point.

This guy is not at fault for anything other than assuming the coverage he enrolled in would include some dental coverage. IMHO opinion, that's a fair assumption. Yes, he should have done his due diligence and checked up on it, but on the other hand, the ACA plans should include SOME dental coverage for adults. I don't think any of them do. The gold-tier Anthem plan on Covered California ($800 a year before subsidies) doesn't cover adult dental. That surprised me, and I consider myself pretty well informed on all this.

Oh, and Maygar is way out of bounds and owes this guy an apology. My wife has had several root-canals w/ crowns. They usually cost our insurance about $2000, but that's a negotiated rate between Delta and the provider. I can see how his bill might be higher. It's definitely not cheap and hers was a routine procedure. If complications arise, it can easily costs an individual with no insurance quite a lot of money.