Stable coverage, no matter where you work

27 Comment(s) Posted by Erin Kelly

Imagine this: You've been a hard-working employee for years. Then, all of a sudden, your company goes under. Now you have to say goodbye to your salary-and your health insurance. It could happen to anyone. So what do you do now?

One option is to find a new job that provides health care benefits, but thanks to the recession, that's easier said than done. Another option is to find insurance through the private individual market-but as many Americans have found out, it's a jungle out there.

Many seeking coverage in the private individual market find it difficult or impossible to find a plan that meets their needs. Those who are lucky enough to be relatively healthy may find that they simply can't afford the cost of premiums, and those who are-or ever have been-sick, may find that they can't get coverage at all. Far too many of these people will be forced to go without coverage

Being uninsured is not limited to the recently laid off, however. Small business owners have found it increasingly difficult to offer coverage to employees as health care costs have risen. Sometimes, providing health care coverage to employees ends up breaking the bank, and the business either goes under, or employers are forced to drop coverage -leaving employees uninsured.

With health reform, those who have been laid off will no longer have to choose between being uninsured or paying sky-high premiums. With health reform, Americans who work for small business or companies that don't provide health insurance will finally have access to affordable coverage thanks to the new insurance exchanges.

Americans will no longer have to dip into their kid's college savings to pay for health insurance when they're between jobs, or forgo necessary care just to save money.

Thanks to health reform, Americans will no longer have to worry about whether losing a job, working for a small company, or starting their own business will leave them without health insurance. From now on, Americans will have coverage they can always count on.

 

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Comments

  1. melissa's avatar

    melissa

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    How? Right now we had to drop our insurance because for a family of 4 we paid $500 which was the lowest premuim we could afford! To much for a fmaily of 4 with extra medical problems. So how?
  2. Martin's avatar

    Martin

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    I just had to sign up for my company healthcare insurance for next year, and guess what? It went up 25%. Oh and the reason stated was" due to new healthcare bill requirements for coverage... your cost will go up." yup yet another lie about low cost coverage for everyone. Nothing is free. someone has to pay. I gues I'm one of the lucky ones who gets to pay. Its called cost shifting in the industry.
  3. Andrew's avatar

    Andrew

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    First off, your complaints about initial costs are practically nothing. Melissa, the war in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost your family a bare minimum of $9,879 to date. Martin, consider yourself lucky that you have a rate hike to pay. The U.S. is drowning in a world economy as many of our higher educated individuals take low end jobs at Walmart and Starbucks just for any insurance, even then the insurance takes a huge chunk of a meager salary while the Ins. Company goes over your medical records with a fine tooth comb for reasons to deny you treatment based on anything that could be considered preexisting. If either of you are interested in just how hard it was to get any proactive healthbill past, I recommend going to the works of political scientists like Ornstein and Mann- "The Broken Branch", and the Theda Skocpol work- "Healthcare Reform and American Politics." The healthcare argument has been framed entirely by those with the most to lose with greater government oversight into insurance, perscription drugs, etc. In particular PhRMA has spent $450 million in hard/visable money, and even more in invisible/soft money to make sure that there agenda is put forth in every aspect of the media they can accsses. Regardless of your party affiliation, we spend more of our GDP, 15.3%, than any other similar country, for far less. Our infant mortality rate is higher than the thirty countries with economies similar to ours. The public's reliance on the ER as their primary care is largely responsible for the out of control spending, as are unessecary testing, a result of a lack of Gov't oversight. So either way, you're footing the bill, for decreasing care. Even countries like Switzerland, which have much more regulation on insurance, but no universal healthcare, the costs are diminished, and their life expectancy is higher. In Canada, with a Universal Healthcare system, the cost is only 10% of their GDP, and their life expectancy is 70, where ours is 68 (W.H.O.).
  4. Brian's avatar

    Brian

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    Andrew, I see where you are going about people needing health care. But why should it be the government's responsibility for the failures of certain citizens who don't stay healthy. Sometimes you need to make the hard decisions that people think are unthinkable. first, when someone is sent to the ER, they need to have some form of insurance. If they don't, too bad. The only exceptions are if the injury is the result of another person's actions. If the injury was your own fault, like if you are over weight and then get a heart attack, you pay the bill. Don't get me wrong Andrew, we need reform. Tort reform will decrease costs, because right now, doctors pay huge premiums for their insurance to protect themselves from malpractice and lawsuits from family members of the deceased. Also the fact that you can't buy health insurance outside your state is a problem that should have been and could have been fixed long ago. The other reason insurance is so high is the fact that people in one state have only a hand full of insurance companies to chose from while there are over 3000 companies nation wide.
  5. Erin's avatar

    Erin

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    Hi Martin, While we've heard insurers claim that they need huge rate increases because of the Affordable Care Act, studies (http://www.hewittassociates.com/Intl/NA/en-US/AboutHewitt/Newsroom/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?cid=9106) show that, in fact, all the new protections of the law that have taken effect shouldn't increase employer premiums by more than 1-2 percent. However, for years and years before the Affordable Care Act even passed, insurers sought to impose outrageous rate hikes on consumers, particularly in the individual market, as this recent study shows ((http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/insuranceprospers/index.html). In many states, regulators have had to step in to stop unreasonable premium increases proposed by insurers, but not all states have the capacity or authority to review insurers' rate proposals. The Affordable Care Act provides more resources for states to review premium increase proposals to be sure that they're reasonable and will also hold insurers accountable for the premiums they collect by requiring them to spend a reasonable share on medical costs and quality improvement efforts, instead of on administration, overhead, and profits.
  6. Janet's avatar

    Janet

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    I just got turned down yet again for a harmless condition that will never need to be treated but because Doctors were always quick to operate in the past now I have to pay. I have a 5000 dollar annual deductible and a 20% copay. For catastrophic insurance I pay 621.00 a month. I'm living check to check and robbing peter to pay paul. I've applied for better insurance at half the cost but they won't accept me. I don't ever go to the doctor except for annual check ups and I have to pay for them. For 5 years I've been paying this premium and I have not cost the insurance company a penny. I don't smoke, drink, or drive wrecklessly. I'm very healthy emotionally and physically. I don't even take asprin. When does the part on the health care bill that prevents the insurance companies from rejecting me kick in?
  7. Troy Lindquist's avatar

    Troy Lindquist

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    I'm at the library for my health and stalkers insist they wil cough and harras please call health dept and Military police,5 are envolved in the room now
  8. Cameron's avatar

    Cameron

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    I'll be the first to admit that my own level of knowledge on this topic is relatively low, but it does seem that the bill above has an awful lot of promises and seems very low on listing actual actions taking place to fulfill the promises made. It may be this reason that users like Janet are not feeling any good from this bill. It would seem that this bill is aiming at a wonderful, fantastic goal and taking a very roundabout, ineffective route to get there.
    In America, we're capitalists. It's what the founding fathers intended, and it's the reason our country rose to the level of prominence that it is at. Insurance companies are also capitalists, and from my own experience and what I've heard, heartless capitalists. It would make sense to me to use that capitalistic attitude to help keep things reasonable. That's why allowing cross-state insurance coverage is a fantastic idea. If we as citizens decided to take responsibility to solve our own problems, then someone would get the gumption to start their own insurance company that charges less. It really is that simple. Obviously not easy, but possible, and the country would be much better off with a solution of that nature.
  9. JC's avatar

    JC

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    I appreciate Andrew's informed opinion on the matter. I do understand Janet and Melissa's frustrations - wondering how we can actually use this bill. I too wonder about how this bill works in practice and how I can apply the promises it makes to my own situation. I would also like to add, however, that health care is very much a community responsibility, and anyone who says otherwise is naive. Perhaps we should also expect families to pay for their children's primary education? That's capitalist. The truth is that there are all kind of problems - both economic and humanitarian - that stem from a poorly evolved health care system. It might be nice to say that people should just take care of themselves, but not all people are born into equitable situations. People do desperate things when their basic needs are not met, from crime to simply letting their health fade because there is no other alternative. And what happens when people who couldn't find work with benefits in their 20s or 30s are able to find jobs later? All those missed check-ups, and many problems that went undiagnosed and untreated lie just waiting to crop up. Like it or not, if they're insured later in life, you WILL be paying for their health care, and for all the problems they didn't fix when they were younger, because it's your premium that will go up. It's easy to blame America's health problems on people who are "at fault" for eating too much, but it's absurd to think that someone in the ER should make the decision about whether or not to treat a dying individual based on whether it might or might not be that person's "fault". Ridiculous. Like it or not, health care IS a community issue. That doesn't make us communists. It doesn't even make us socialists (although it is irritating the number of people who use that word without really understanding what it means). It makes us a civilized, first-world nation.
  10. gordon wright's avatar

    gordon wright

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    How can I find out if I have Insurance coverage?
  11. Lia2Lia's avatar

    Lia2Lia

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    This is an issue that's strikes home with me. My daughter was covered under my insurance until left college and started her own business. She paid for private insurance but couldn't afford it after two years. When she finally realized she didn't have a choice if she wanted medical care she tried to get coverage and was turned down citing that she had been without insurance too long. I had never heard of this type of rule before. She's currently 29 and at the age of 27 or 28 The White House passed a bill that would allow children to be covered through their parent's health insurance to the age of 26 and I believe children do not have to be in school. This hurts.
  12. Bianca's avatar

    Bianca

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    Pay a little more, so everyone could live a little better.
  13. Ed Barley's avatar

    Ed Barley

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    I'm a licensed agent with 7 of the top national Am Best rated A carriers and I agree with you who say your premiums are going up as a result of the Affordable Care Act. Of course they are. You can't be surprised at this. What you can be surprised at is the limited information you are hearing from the people who put that together. The insurance companies want you to stay in your old plans "Grandfatherd" so you can pay more or get a critical illness or endemnity plan that is poorly written or supported that costs you most of your income or more. Stop doing that! Talk with a trusted agent who has proven they want to help you! We will work for you and not the insurance companies. I would appreciate earning your trust and business if you would let me try. You can't pay me for my working for you! I can't sell you anything. What do I get out of it? Helping you! You matter! Let me serve you build an honorable relationship with you and then you publish the results for the world to read and see. I will provide you with information choices and discuss with you your options all of them honestly and openly. You tell me what you want and we work together to find the Best plan possible and keep your premiums the lowest possible from the insurance companies. Lia, I have national plans that will cover your daughter now even without previous insurance and you Janet let's talk about that and we will find you an affordable plan that meets your budget and needs. Please consider my offer and test me. Then publish your testimony for everyone to read. Fair enough for you? ebarley @ aplanforeveryone. Let me prove myself and my service to you.
  14. Brian Williams's avatar

    Brian Williams

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    Hey Ed Barley? Yeah, you? Can you lock their rates for up to six years? Can you get them covered with No Deductible? Number one, I wouldn't use a forum like this, to plug my insurance business. Cheeezy!!! Number two, If you are tied to seven "A" rated AM best carriers my friend, then you represent the very Major Med Carriers, that are and/or will be raising those premiums to as much as 25%.
    Hope your phone is still ringing!
  15. Aneta's avatar

    Aneta

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    Ok so I read some of your comments. Now answer this for me. What if someone has a health problem that they were born with. Not is not their fault or anyone elses and they can't afford issurance and the state tells them that they make too much money to qualify for medicaid than what are they supposed to do when they go to the er. You say turn them away if they don't have insurance, that's not right. Everyone should be able to get affortable health insurance. It doesn't matter who it is.
  16. Aneta's avatar

    Aneta

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    Ok so I read some of your comments. Now answer this for me. What if someone has a health problem that they were born with. Not is not their fault or anyone elses and they can't afford issurance and the state tells them that they make too much money to qualify for medicaid than what are they supposed to do when they go to the er. You say turn them away if they don't have insurance, that's not right. Everyone should be able to get affortable health insurance. It doesn't matter who it is.
  17. Virginia's avatar

    Virginia

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    I have read all of the comments and I really can't believe what I am reading in some of them. Health cost rise because the insurance companies want to make more money it has nothing to do with the health care plan. The Obama who for some reason is being held accountable for everything that has gone wrong in this in this country, has tried to make changes that would allow for all Americans to have health coverage at an affordable cost. As for people being able to get it themselves from an employer I must tell you that it is getting close to impossible. I know this to be true first hand. I myself have been searching for a job for the past 8 months and for every job I have applied I have heard the same thing, No one hires full time, I even had the manager tell yesterday that the reason they don't hire full time is because they don't want to pay for health benifits. Thats was the first time that anyone came out right and said it.I am lucky and do have health insurance but it is through my husbands work with a job he has had for 9 years if he was to loose that job I have no idea what we would do. The other thing that I find interesting is that before we got married I tried to get insurnce on my own to self insure myself. Just to be on the save side. I was in my mid 40's with few health problems, but I had had a hyserectomy and gallbladder removed within the last 5 years. Not becasue of cancer but because of other issuses. Now I thought because all of these parts were already gone that would be a plus they would not have to worry about them they were already gone and there would be any problems with them. Nope not the case, they were going to charge me extra because of the operations. I have no idea why and the agent couldn't answer the question either. Needless to say this put the insurance out of my budget for a single mother and I was unable to get it. So I guess according to someone that posted on here if I was to have gone to the ER during that time with a serious condition they should have just let me die because I couldn't afford the insurance. Something about that doesn't sound quite right to me. Please make sure that you read everything that you can get your hands before you make any decisions this election year. The best vote is an educated vote. I am not asking you to listen to me but to read everything and know everything and get the facts! PLEASE!
  18. Bob adams's avatar

    Bob adams

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    Why should there be private health care , is it really worth it ?. personaly if i was a doctor i wouldnt like to dien a pacitent treatment that could led to his death. unviersaal health care is the way to go.
  19. Osama Bin laden's avatar

    Osama Bin laden

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    IM BACK !
  20. 2pac's avatar

    2pac

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    Im back to osama.
  21. Koniko's avatar

    Koniko

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    Hello All, I have read and acknowledge all your comments. Some comments were worth thinking through and other comments were just a bit tiresome. The facts are the facts people and in order to make an educated decision, comment, or suggestion we all need to know the facts that we are talking about. Therefore, since I have only read a little bit about our current healthcare reform and do not have enough of the facts to support any seriously important opinion I will leave and read the entire healthcare bill until I have a full and complete understanding of the updates and availabilities concerning insurance and I will come bace here and post an answer to each and everyone with a question with the requred references. Thank you for your time and I will be back. God Bless and be with you all always.
  22. Marta's avatar

    Marta

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    I am a 62 year old woman, living in Georgia. Georgia is one of the worst states when it comes to health care. A couple years ago I lost my job and was not able to find another one. Georgia's unemployment rate is over 10%, therefore I have decided to retire and collect SSI (860 for a month)to be able to pay some of my mortgage payment and utilities. I do not have health insurance and I am desperate. Right now I have a medical condition and can't see a specialist. Is there any help out there I could apply for? I already applied for Medicaid, but I was told that i may not qualify for it. Will I be miserable for the next 3 years until I reach the age of 65 to be eligible for Medicare, if Medicare will still be around?
  23. Erin's avatar

    Erin

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    Hi Marta,

    Unfortunately, you are not eligible for Medicare. You would only qualify if you are 65 or older OR if you have been receiving Social Security Disability (which is different from SSI) for longer than 24 months. Because you are on SSI, you may qualify for Medicaid, but you have to speak to someone in your state who knows the programs better. The Shepherd Center is a great starting point. Here is their contact information:

    Shepherd Center
    Benefits Navigator
    2020 Peachtree Road, NW
    Atlanta, Georgia 30309-1426
    Website: http://www.bpaoga.com/
    Phone: 1-866-772-2726 or 1-866-SSA-BPOA (toll-free nationwide)

    Please let us know if you need further information.

    In terms of the whether or not Medicare will be around in the future, with enactment of the ACA, Medicare is stronger than ever. Benefits are improved and costs are lower than expected.
  24. Joe's avatar

    Joe

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    Socialized medicine without monetary incentives to stay healthy and service rationing simply won't work. I used to work for Microsoft. They are self-insured, which means they just set aside money for their health plan (they don't make a profit off their own premiums). Do you know how much it was to cover a 4-person family? $1800/month!! And the average MS employee and their family is probably healthier than the average US citizen. And MS makes $600,000 in revenue per employee. The average household income in the US is something like $50,000. That means that a no-deductible health insurance plan like MS for a typical US family would cost that family almost 50% of their entire annual household income. Socialized medicine simply won't work if people continue to live unhealthy lives (smoke, drink, eat like pigs until their morbidly obese, etc.).
  25. Missy's avatar

    Missy

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    Under Obama's healthcare law, will Alternative health care be taught/accessible to those who chose to deny conventional approaches? ?Will therapy/counseling be provided to those who need? will crisis centers be facilitated? Will Nutrition and healthy lifestyle be pushed as much as it needs to be? will legal action be taken place in regards to the amount of chemicals,preservatives and toxins in our "food" market. The truth needs to come out or the nation will fail.
  26. aquavit1's avatar

    aquavit1

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    Move to Canada. ?
  27. Carla's avatar

    Carla

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    YOU CAN GET THE PCIP INSURANCE PLAN NOW. I JUST GOT MINE BECAUSE I HAVE DIABETES AND CANNOT GET ANY OTHER KIND OF INSURANCE. IT IS AWESOME AND IS AVAILABLE NOW. JUST GO TO pciplan.com. In 2014, this will apply to everyone but if you have a pre-existing condition now, you can qualify now.

    BRIAN, you speak like a true selfish conservative. Only care about yourself. We all benefit if our society is healthy. You need to look at the big picture. We are all in the world together and as Americans need to care about each other! I hope you don't consider yourself a religious person as that would be just too hypocritical, wouldn't it!

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