Anyone Else Get Screwed by the "Affordable Healthcare Act"?

[MarcSpaz]

Not a happy camper today. I had the absolute best healthcare insurance policy I could find. I didn't want to skimp since both my wife and I have some "whole life care" needs with regard to some disabilities. For a family of 4 I was paying about $1,100 a month. I had no annual deductible, my policy covered 95% of my total expenses and no lifetime limit.

I got a letter from my company stating that my policy will no longer be available after January 1st, as it does not meet the new requirements under the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act. I now have to buy a new plan.

The best policy I can find today... $1,500 a month, $5000 a year deductible, only covers 90% of my expenses AFTER my deductible and a $3 million lifetime cap (which I thought was supposed to go away).

So... my annual cost literally MORE than doubled. From $13,200 a year and 5% OOP to $24,200 a year, 10% OOP and who knows what happens if I hit my cap.

OH, and did I mention after talking to them on the phone I found out that it could go up significantly from their? Because my wife and I have disabilities, my application is going to another department to determine what my final "adjusted" rate will be.

What the hell would I do if I only made $35,000 - $40,000 a year? I am paying the equivalent of buying a brand new nice, mid class car in cash every year.

Thanks Libs. I'm going to need the healthcare to get my rear-end fixed after this thrashing.

[SHMIV]

To answer the question posed in the title:

Yes. Everybody.

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[tinner666]

Wife was told that because she has pre-existing conditions, she can't get supplemental coverage.

[Swampman]

Wife and I have separate policies because of my pre-existing condition. Wife's policy was cancelled, but we got a one year reprieve. Her policy cancellation would have jumped her rate by 150%, and she still would have a $10,000 deductible. She would never hit that amount so the only reason for the increase is to pay for insurance for some other schlub. We're hoping that by Dec 2014 this whole thing will have collapsed and nothing will change appreciably.

My policy costs me a little more than $1,000 a month with a $5,000 deductible. So far it appears I am safe. I imagine that I won't be happy when, not if, my policy no longer meets Obamacare standards and is cancelled. Guessing I'll be buying a new car every year as well.

Oh, and don't forget, after this year we lose the ability to write off health insurance premiums.

[Kreutz]

Have a small biz policy through my company; no changes on my end.

[jdonovan]

Oh and watch out for the policy... many only have care 'in network' in a small geographic region... and NO coverage if you are out of the area.

So we've seen the hope, now get ready for the change.

[kelu]

Marc, I thought you work for govt? Now they screw their own? That is bad policy.

[MarcSpaz]

hahaha... You are mostly right.

I own my own business. I have been a consultant to DHS for almost a decade via 8a status on the Eagle II contract vehicle. I am not a W2 federal employee.

[vaeevictiss]

Seeing a lifetime cap is scary. And what they charge for things these days I can definitely see hitting that easily.

But ya, the joys of being filthy contractor scum lol.

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[moss20]

No, not participating.

[dusterdude]

If you like your current insurance you can keep it,at least i thought i heard that somewhere


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[mamabearCali]

I wonder if you would qualify for something like medi-share. It is not as easy to use as medical insurance but neither is it $1,100 a month. I am not sure how it works, but friends of mine have used it with good results.

I know if we lose our employer based coverage we will be looking at it quite seriously.

There are moral standards you have to keep to participate. So if that is not your cup of tea...don't worry about it.

anyway thought I would share, perhaps it will help someone.

[SHMIV]

There are a few of those medi-share type programs out there. None that I have found so far accept smokers, though. That's a problem for me.

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[Radiac]

Yep. Premium more than doubled, coverage at 80% versus 90% before, and out of pocket doubled in-network.

Should be interesting to see what the new year brings.