Got-Boost? Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 http://finance.yahoo.com/news/50-states-obamacare-113318311.html Obamacare may be a national health law, but it has a different price tag in each state. Americans under age 65 who buy insurance through the new health exchanges starting Oct. 1 will pay the most in Wyoming and the least in Minnesota, according to data released Wednesday by the Department of Health and Human Services officials. The report analyzed rates in 47 states and Washington, D.C., including those already released by states running their own exchanges, as well as prices in 36 states where the federal government is running the marketplace. Hawaii, Kentucky and Massachusetts have yet to disclose their rates. Minnesota has the lowest unsubsidized prices—and is the only state where middle-tier “silver” plans come in at under $200 a month. Monthly premiums for the state’s cheapest “bronze” plan (the lowest tier of coverage) average $144. In Wyoming, meanwhile, the cheapest bronze plans average $425, and silver plans start at $489. Across the country, bronze plans start on average at $249, and silver plans start at $310. (Among people eligible for subsidies, however, premiums will vary by income.) Exchanges will also offer higher gold- and platinum-tier plans, but those will compete less on price than on quality, insurance consultants say. And government officials say 56% of the currently uninsured will be able to pay $100 or less per month after factoring in federal subsidies. Excluding subsidies, a comparison of the premiums to the Congressional Budget Office’s earlier projections of $392 per month for the second-cheapest silver plan (on which government subsidies are based) shows that on average plans are costing 16% less. Indeed, the average price of the plan in Minnesota is only $192, or less than half of the projected amount. But the monthly cost is higher than the $392 estimate in seven states, topping $400 in Alaska, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, Vermont and Wyoming. The latter’s $516 price tag on the second-lowest-priced silver plan is nearly 32% higher than the forecast (see chart below). Proponents of the health-care law say the data show that this new insurance not only covers services individual plans currently don’t, but, in the words of Kevin Lucia, a research professor at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms, “the premiums are definitely coming out more reasonably than anyone thought.” Prices will still vary significantly by age, though. The HHS report is based on average costs for a 27-year-old, which are lower than what older people will pay. The overall state averages include everyone under 65, so younger Americans will likely pay less. In Oklahoma, for example, average monthly premiums for the lowest-cost bronze plan is only $114 for a 27-year-old, but the state average for the same plan is $60 more. In general, states where more insurers are competing have lower rates, says Gary Cohen, deputy administrator and director of the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. States with average premiums in the lowest quartile had an average of eight insurance companies participating, while states with average premiums in the highest quartile only had three, according to the HHS report. Exchanges in states with few insurers participating tend to be the most expensive. For example, Wyoming, the most expensive, and Alaska, the second-most expensive, each have just two insurance carriers competing for customers. New Jersey, which has four competing carriers, has prices slightly lower, followed by Delaware and South Dakota, where three insurance companies are participating in each state. “The more vendors that are competing, the lower the rates are going to be,” says John Haslinger, vice president of ADP Strategic Advisory Services. But rates could also be higher in certain regions, he adds, because those areas have more people with pre-existing conditions and health risks, which in turn could deter insurers from competing. Weighted average premiums in 48 states http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/rv_TLpt79M5zjHdDhArklA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTU4MA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/finance/2013-09-30/3b64da8e-0f30-4dca-a60c-ad0c2a7dfa39_Screen-Shot-2013-09-30-at-12-35-22-PM.png Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. * New York premiums are the same for all ages. ** Vermont premiums are the same for all ages. NOTE: Premiums shown above are a weighted average of the lowest-cost silver plan, the second lowest cost silver plan, and the lowest cost bronze plan in each rating area within the 36 Supported State-based Marketplaces, State Partnership Marketplaces and Federally Facilitated Marketplaces as of Sept. 18, as well as 12 State-based Marketplaces. The rating area weights are constructed based on county-level population under the age of 65. For State-based Marketplaces, premiums are a weighted average across all rating areas for California and New York, and are for the entire state in Rhode Island and Vermont and in D.C. For the remaining states, premiums are for the following rating areas: Denver, Colo.; Bridgeport, Hartford and New Haven, Conn.; Baltimore, Md.; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle, Wash. Age weighting for all states is based on expected age distribution in the marketplaces, estimated by the RAND Corporation. 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wagner Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Funny how the word "free" has been removed from all of this since the election is over. I hope people enjoy the hope and change they voted in, I know this group of people are going to love it: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/30/us-employers-slash-hours-avoid-obamacare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRD2BDF Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Honestly I support this. No health insurance will take me. I have a Pre-existing condition (marfan syndrome, born with it) and requires annual cardiologist check ups whih is bloody expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Bastard Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I agree that its good that they are forcing insurance companies to accept preexisting conditions. Seems the rates in most states for silver are close to what I pay now for insurance through work (iirc employees pay 29% of the coverage and the company pays the rest, or so we are told). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BStowers023 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Yay! Not... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewtoys Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I agree that its good that they are forcing insurance companies to accept preexisting conditions. Seems the rates in most states for silver are close to what I pay now for insurance through work (iirc employees pay 29% of the coverage and the company pays the rest, or so we are told). Ouch, People are paying $300 a month for health insurance? Maybe I should be grateful for the $60 a month I pay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I have an HSA with a 6000 out of pocket deductible, I pay $180 a month (family plan)and put $250 (pre tax) in it, I like paying myself. It makes you very involved in health Insurance costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 So serious question about the enforcement of Obamacare. How will people like my sister who doesn't keep up with politics who doesn't watch the news and doesn't know really about any of this is happening how will they learn about this is her employer supposed to inform them how they should handle this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverMaker Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 So serious question about the enforcement of Obamacare. How will people like my sister who doesn't keep up with politics who doesn't watch the news and doesn't know really about any of this is happening how will they learn about this is her employer supposed to inform them how they should handle this she should be getting a OMB 1210-0149 form from her workplace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMeanGreen Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I'm grateful I have military insurance, but they required me to change my PCM from my doctor in Reynoldsburg to a doctor in West Jeff since it was closer to Wright-Patt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I'm grateful I have military insurance, but they required me to change my PCM from my doctor in Reynoldsburg to a doctor in West Jeff since it was closer to Wright-Patt. Damn, that sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I have an HSA with a 6000 out of pocket deductible, I pay $180 a month (family plan)and put $250 (pre tax) in it, I like paying myself. It makes you very involved in health Insurance costs. Ours is $2,500 out of pocket, Zero Premium - Luv my job (family of 4), from $2,501-$10k I pay20% and nothing above that, thus max out of pocket is $4,000. I put in the max which is just over $6,400 this year. I agree on paying ourselves. So many poor bastards pay $550-$1,500+ per month on their HMO's and that money is gone. We keep our $6400 every year in our account. Been on an HSA since 2001 and it's been the very best thing for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImUrOBGYN Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 What's Obamacare? You guys heard of this new thing called the Affordable Healthcare Act? I wonder if they're the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Another silly question- is it ONLY healthcare or does it cover Eye care and Dental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Super happy for my parents. They are gonna be able to save over $1000 per month with the exchange insurance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeesammy Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Im so stoked I can't get above 25 hours at my current employer now, and even more grateful I'll now have to take out loans to pay for school because of it. I just love being in debt and living on bread and water, you know it just builds so much character and makes things A LOT easier for me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 Another silly question- is it ONLY healthcare or does it cover Eye care and Dental. Pediatric vision is covered. If you need something regarding vision, PM Me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87GT Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 There is only two reasons for not getting an HSA and high deductible insurance plan, it is not an option with your employer, or you or your family are always at the doctor monthly. My HSA approves so many things. I love having a credit card to swipe for my medical bills and I love seeing my balance increase over time. Acupuncture is even approved for me. That shit gets expensive out of pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash1647545504 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 "Afordable" to many but not me. I guess I may qualify for help from the government but right now $230-$300 doesnt sound afordable to me. And look the government is shut down right now. I've been through one surgery and pneumonia without health insurance, it was so easy to pay it off, only took me two years. Some months I payed $25-$50 some months I Payed $100-$200. I payed what I could when I could. I'd love health insurance, but it needs to be on my own time when I feel I am stable enough to afford it, not when the government tells me I have to have it. I'll prolly opt out and take the $97 tax penalty this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRocket1647545505 Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 How are they going to make you prove that you do have health insurance? And who's going to sort through that mess? And what's it going to cost just to fund that part of it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagner Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 http://brandontward.blogspot.com/2013/09/hobby-lobby-may-close-all-500-stores-in.html#.UkxCdT-n-M8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForeverMaker Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 http://brandontward.blogspot.com/2013/09/hobby-lobby-may-close-all-500-stores-in.html#.UkxCdT-n-M8 Hobby Lobby: If we refuse to comply, we could face $1.3 million PER DAY in government fines. That's a lot of knick-knacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Pediatric vision is covered. If you need something regarding vision, PM Me. I don't- my sister is my concern. So far despite how "affordable" this is- she only cares about dental and possibly vision- so it's all useless to her now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RC K9 Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 she should be getting a OMB 1210-0149 form from her workplace. Yup. This. I have to hand them out to my employees and then I am having them sign a roster stating they received the letter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhatch Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 I have tried for over a year to get coverage and no company would accept me due to my existing medical condition (brain tumor ). They suggested i try the ohio high risk pool but they were out of funding for 2013. I guess this will be good for me and my kids. I can't get medicaid because of the kids ssi income. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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