Medical insurance practical

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I can't believe people are against Obamacare and bashing the plan. It is perfect for low income people (most van/RV dwellers) that are looking to retire at 40,50,55.

If couple make under 17K, they pay no taxes and have healthcare for free. How can that be bad

You're moving into politics, which Bob has asked us to avoid. I'll answer your question, but I won't be drawn into a debate about my response.

It's working out for some people. For others, well, they were told that if they liked their current plans, they could keep them. Turns out the politicians lied about that. Now they have to pay more for a plan that wasn't as good as their old one.

We're seeing a lot of companies that USED to offer health insurance to their employees no longer doing so, just as a bunch of conservative economists warned would happen. (and the politicians said wouldn't)

Finally, a lot of us think the Federal government has exceeded their constitutional authority here. Yes, I know that the Supreme Court upheld it by a 5 to 4 vote. A lot of us think that if you stack enough leftists on the Supreme Court, they would happily declare that down is up and black is white.

Btw, did you notice that Obama, a former part-time professor of constitutional law, claimed that of course it was constitutional and of course the penalties for not buying insurance wasn't a tax.

When the Supreme Court finally ruled, they said that of course this wouldn't be constitutional UNLESS the penalties were actually a tax, and of course that's exactly what they are, so everything is OK.

Regards
John

 

[offroad]

Good point. This is not political. Am only interested in discussion about people who use and optimize what is possible. Did read today that the BRONZE plan is a bad bad choice. SILVER is the minimal plan anyone should choose.

---

If you are lucky your existing plan will meet all the legal requirements and you can keep it. If you are lucky the new requirements do not result in an increase. Of if they do your company is generous to keep your portion the same cost. Many are not lucky at all.

 

[jeanontheroad]

Personally, I think it's nuts that people would have to depend on employers for health insurance, anyway. It makes employees' healthcare a bottom line consideration. It puts someone who has been laid off in a precarious position - have you seen Cobra premiums? It traps would-be entrepreneurs in jobs that waste their talents instead of making them willing to take the risk of starting their own businesses. I suppose everyone can come up with individual instances that support one view or another. No solution is perfect. You have to look at the overall statistics.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

If I remember correctly, the system evolved gradually by way of union negotiations.

The unions needed to be able to go back to their members and say "This is what we got you this time". And I think there has always been a streak of closet socialism - and the paternalism that goes with it - among the people who became union officers. "They need health insurance. If we just get them a raise, most of them probably won't use it to buy health insurance. Let's negotiate for health insurance benefits instead."

And because of tax considerations, it was more advantageous to the company to spend X$ on a group health plan than to give the same X$ in raises.

And it was advantageous to the workers, too. They would have had to pay income taxes on a raise, but not on benefits like health insurance.

Benefits instead of a monetary raise was seen as a win-win-win situation by all concerned.

Regards
John

 

[jeanontheroad]

Closet socialism? Why is socialism supposed to be a bad word? Socialism is what gives you your BLM land and the roads to get there. Socialism is public health systems and strict regulation of utilties and public access to waterways and national/state parks and public schools and public libraries other things that it is simply more efficient and effective for a very large group to do as a group than individually.

No pure system of communism, socialism or capitalism is ever going to work for a group of 400 million people. They aren't workable real world ideas, just imaginary concepts for people to squabble over.

 

[offroad]

You folks are drifting. Lol. Any wise words on getting a bargain practical medical plan? So many paths.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

You folks are drifting.

Agreed. I'll stop posting in this thread, since I have no practical advice to offer you on finding affordable health insurance. Good luck.

Regards
John

 

[SoulRaven]

You folks are drifting. Lol. Any wise words on getting a bargain practical medical plan? So many paths.

Yes make sure you signup in the next open enrollment plan thru the ACA website or just call the 800 number like I did. I have the silver enhanced plan which is better than Platinum. 100% coverage no co pay, $200 annual deductible, $3 generic scripts if thru Geisinger heath system which is the best in NE Pennsylvania. Cost $56.33 a month with a $384 government premium contribution based on $18k annual income.

Premium will be zero next year due to soon to be ex governor Tom Drillbit ALOWING the expansion of Medicaid care and my income dropping due to workman’s compensation back injury last April. Had my big hearing just this week and it looks good for a real big check.

Without ACA I would not be able to settle my comp claim due to the need for the continuing medical costs that I need to make me whole again. So my lump settlement is basically in my eyes as a 100% employer sponsored 401K that also happens to be tax-free.

In April of 2015 I will be disabled for one year and my attorney will file for social security disability, which will be a much better monthly check vs. my retirement benefits along with other perks such as the national lands access card, ease in qualifying for food stamps etc.

 

[offroad]

Mr.looread - excellent example. This is the kind of gem comments I expect from folks here. Seems like nothing to panic about. There is practical solutions in some states. So key point may be to set residence in a state that allows Medicaid expansion. As that gives you more subsidy at low income.

---

Problem is if you have a snowbird life with half year in your home state and half out can you get the care you need in both physical locations? Drugs are not an issue. But checkups and therapy are.

 

[LeeRevell]

As with any 'benefits system', especially involving the Fed_Gov, there will be those who benefit by it and those who are seriously shafted. You just pray you are in the former group. NO plan works well for all.

 

[Luisafernandes]

You're moving into politics, which Bob has asked us to avoid. I'll answer your question, but I won't be drawn into a debate about my response.

It's working out for some people. For others, well, they were told that if they liked their current plans, they could keep them. Turns out the politicians lied about that. Now they have to pay more for a plan that wasn't as good as their old one.

We're seeing a lot of companies that USED to offer health insurance to their employees no longer doing so, just as a bunch of conservative economists warned would happen. (and the politicians said wouldn't)

Finally, a lot of us think the Federal government has exceeded their constitutional authority here. Yes, I know that the Supreme Court upheld it by a 5 to 4 vote. A lot of us think that if you stack enough leftists on the Supreme Court, they would happily declare that down is up and black is white.

Btw, did you notice that Obama, a former part-time professor of constitutional law, claimed that of course it was constitutional and of course the penalties for not buying insurance wasn't a tax.

When the Supreme Court finally ruled, they said that of course this wouldn't be constitutional UNLESS the penalties were actually a tax, and of course that's exactly what they are, so everything is OK.

Regards
John

I would give you ten (10) little yellow thumbs up, unfortunately only one can be given per post.

 

[akrvbob]

A unique problem we have is the need to be able to get health care outside of your home state. Each different insurance company has a different policy and one of the ways they often keep costs down is to limit it to just their group in their state.

Has anyone looked into different companies in the common states of residence? For example, SD, TX, FL, NV. Are you finding companies that let you get care out of your state?

Bob

 

[Luisafernandes]

A unique problem we have is the need to be able to get health care outside of your home state. Each different insurance company has a different policy and one of the ways they often keep costs down is to limit it to just their group in their state.

Has anyone looked into different companies in the common states of residence? For example, SD, TX, FL, NV. Are you finding companies that let you get care out of your state?

Bob

Bob, I could be grossly wrong but I don't think I am, and this isn't political, but the problem with insurance companies not selling in every state stems from Federal Government regulations and laws prohibiting companies from doing just that.
If the federal government wanted to, they could open up the market for any company to do business in any and all states. That in turn would create competition and lower and more affordable health insurance.
My opinion, insurance ran by the government, the same government bankrupting the postal service, VA, Medicare, social security, etc, is a recipe for disaster.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Luis,

I think you misunderstand what Bob is referring to.

He's talking about, as an example, if you have chosen to be a "resident" of South Dakota, and you have - necessarily - gotten your health insurance from a South Dakota insurance company. If you're spending the winter in Arizona, will the South Dakota company provide full coverage in Arizona, or would you have to go back to South Dakota for your health care so they will pay for it?

Regards
John

 

[SoulRaven]

Looking at my policy the following services have no co-payment thru a non-participating provider.

Emergency services

Urgent care

Transportation emergency services both air and ground

Most everything else is 40% of provider fee schedule

If 40% does not work they can try and serve me, obtain a civil judgment and if they do good luck on the writ of execution.

So basically all services from a non-participating provider are covered.

 

[Luisafernandes]

Luis,

I think you misunderstand what Bob is referring to.

He's talking about, as an example, if you have chosen to be a "resident" of South Dakota, and you have - necessarily - gotten your health insurance from a South Dakota insurance company. If you're spending the winter in Arizona, will the South Dakota company provide full coverage in Arizona, or would you have to go back to South Dakota for your health care so they will pay for it?

Regards
John

Hi John!
Thanks for the clarification. I did understand what Bob was saying, and the problem can be solved by getting the government to remove regulations and laws that keep companies from offering insurance in all states.
Imagine if all the health insurance companies in the US could do business in all the states; insurance would be easier to obtain and more affordable.

 

[akrvbob]

Luis, we aren't arguing ideas, we are trying to offer helpful suggestions to each other. There are lots of forums that love to argue ideas, this just isn't one of them.
Bob

 

[Luisafernandes]

Luis, we aren't arguing ideas, we are trying to offer helpful suggestions to each other. There are lots of forums that love to argue ideas, this just isn't one of them.
Bob

Point taken : )

 

[SoulRaven]

The entire worry about non-particiting providers is not an issue.

My health plan is provided by Geisinger Health Plan, which parent company is the Geisinger Health System.

The main competition to Geisinger Health System is Commonwealth Health http://www.commonwealthhealth.net/

Commonwealth Health is a participating provider of the Geisinger Health Plan.

My chiropractor is also a participating provider of the Geisinger Health Plan.

 

[LeeRevell]

Out of state healthcare is a thing I definitely need to look into! Thanks for the heads-up!