> What is an Obamacare plan? I thought the ACA created a marketplace that listed plans from insurers, and set minimums for coverage (that would apply to options #2 and #3). I haven't had to deal with it so I don't know.
Ironically a plan through Priority health on the market place cost 2x as much as the same plan purchase through the same insurer individually. This is for a couple reasons:
On the market place, a qualifying plan must meet ALL ACA requirements. This includes a capped deductible, bundled Dental, vision coverage, prenatal coverage/birth control coverage. Also, ACA plans are held to a higher standard then individual plans purchased on the open market. I have fewer options to choose from, and those fewer options all come with lower deductibles and more coverage then I need/want. This means higher monthly premiums.
>Were you pricing insurance 2 years before you need it? Many years ago (before Obama was elected), when I was pricing individual insurance the price was several times more. Insurance companies seemed uninterested in individual consumers.
I had the wonderful experience of working at Priority Health from 2011-mid 2014. I got to see ALL sorts of chaos unfold as they tried to meet all the requirements and deadlines (They did just fine, but there certainly wasn't much cushion on time). This increase in coverage was literally over night, as in 12/31/2013 Individual Plan A (The actual name...) was $84/m, on 1/1/2015 Individual Plan A was $136/m (Priority Health did grandfather in the pre-ACA prices for anyone already on the plan for 1 year, however any new members paid the new price)
>How else has the ACA affected your insurance? For example, I think it allows you to stay on your parents plan until now (i.e., through age 25), guarantees you won't be turned down, eliminates caps on coverage, etc
Overall ACA has negatively affected my coverage and most people I know. However to be fair, I was in the Goldilocks zone for health care coverage. Young, white, healthy athletic male, no pre-existing conditions, never smoked, and located in a relatively low health care area when compared to LA, NY, Chicago, etc. Pre-ACA my health care costs would have been as low as low could be.
I do think that coverage until age 26 is a good additional, however I wish it was through the entire year they turn 26 in, and not just until the month they turned 26, (For me June and I had to find coverage within 30 days of my birthday).
I do like the fact that it give subsidies to the individuals who cannot afford even a $84-$150 monthly premium pre ACA, however I wish that they just expanded the medicare program to give these subsidies as these people only represent about 1/3 of 1% of Americans, and in many cases a large portion of this small percentage would have been covered under medicare anyways
I agree that per-existing conditions should not be denied for coverage, however I do not agree that those without conditions should be required to pay higher premiums to subsidize their premiums. (sounds harsh I know, but thats my opinion.)
I think it is stupid that my obama care plan purchased through the open market also includes Dental, Vision, Prenatal care, and Birth Control coverage. I think its a smart marketing move to bundle these together into one plan for certain females, however it is not possible to unbundle this. And yes that means all you males out there, and all you women after menopause have prenatal and birth control coverage...
I think its stupid that as a male i am REQUIRED to purchase prenatal care and birth control coverage for myself even though i will NEVER use this. why do i have to purchase this? All US Citizens are required to purchase a plan that meets the affordable care acts requirements, it does not mean i must purchase a plan on the open exchange, but yes that mean individual buyers must purchase coverage they will not use in an attempt to make health care for everyone good. If I dont purchase prenatal care, I will qualify for the penalty at tax season.