Health insurance might be more accessible — especially now that Maryland's insurance exchange is working properly — but shoppers shouldn't expect a bargain.
Maryland residents this year paid an average premium of $475 a month for mid-range health plans purchased through the state's exchange, according to the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange's 2014 annual report. That price includes income-based tax credits that 79 percent of Maryland Health Connection shoppers were eligible to receive.
The state-based and federally run insurance exchanges, which opened last year, have made a big difference for people who were uninsured. More than 80,000 people gained health care coverage through Maryland's exchange and nationally roughly 8 million Americans are now covered.
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8 comments:
It's not right to say 80,000 "gained" health insurance because a good number of those who enrolled only did so because they lost their coverage because of obamacare.
Happening to a friend of mine now. Husband and wife private plan wasn't "grandfathered" so they contacted an agent who steered them to obamacare. Wife's premiums are much higher, husband's $9/per month lower. Deductable went from $1200 to $7000 and several of their medicines aren't covered.
It's not just the cost of the monthly premium to consider. Most of these plans have deductibles of $3,000 to $5,000 or more and only cover 60% of the cost of the care. That means YOU have to pay the first several thousand dollars out of YOUR pocket before the insurance even kick in, and then you still have to pay 40% of any remaining bills.
This isn't insurance, it's a ripoff!
That's for the employee alone. What did they pay for family coverage?
I thought what's his name said we would pay $2500.00 LESS a year. Period.
It's all a load of crap. The ONLY people who are enrolling now are those whose previous plan wasn't grandfathered and are being cancelled. This enrollment period just happens to purposely coincide with these cancellations.
But of course the "stupid American voter" (which needs to be amended to the stupid democrat voters) are clueless and think it's all people enrolling who have never been insured before.
My employer said that the "group" wasn't priced as a group any longer and that starting with their renewal in May 2014 everyone was priced as an "individual."
That being the case why would employer plans be any cheaper than the individual plans through the exchanges. And also what about all of the "individuals" who have now purchased insurance. Aren't they considered a "group." I thought the premise was that the more people who were insured the less the rates would be for everyone. What a crock.
Of course I don't qualify for insurance with my employer because I am only a part-time employee. So out of the little bit that I do make, I am supposed to purchase a Bronze or Silver plan for 475.00 dollars a month which won't pay for anything until I pay the first 4,000 - 5,000. And of course I cannot afford to purchase the insurance, since I have grown quite fond on eating in my later years, so the government wants to make me buy the insurance and then make me accept a subsidy to pay for it because I can't afford it. If I don't do that then they will fine me for not doing so.
The government has never had to pay my medical bills. I would like to keep it that way. I would appreciate the government staying out of my health, as it is just that, MY health. It would maybe make some sense if the insurance that they wanted to force me to get would actually pay for something but it won't. So what is the point.
I actually do know what the point is and it has nothing to do with my healthcare. I just don't see that I have to play the game.
My Health Insurance went up 25.1 percent. My sisters and brother in laws, 49.9 percent.
and that's affordable? we work to pay for health insurance. and eat crappy food that makes up get high blood pressure, and diabetes, so we can afford the insurance..
Mine went up 4x's what is was-all so it was Obamacare "compliant."
I had the best insurance in the world. Now I'm covered for things like tattoo removal. I don't have a tattoo and will not ever get one.
I've lost all respect for democrats over this especially democrat politicians. I have zero tolerance for dishonesty and lying and stupidity.
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