Neither my wife's or my current employer provides health insurance. We went without when I got laid off in August of 2016 until September 2017. Thanks to Obongo care and Kommiecticut's full and eager participation, it was the the only option available to us. Unfortunately, because of what we earned, we would be on the hook for the full premium of around $2000 per month. This was for the cheapest and crappiest plan with shitty benefits and huge deductibles. We then had health insurance through my employer until I get let go again in January 2019. This time we went without until November 2021 when the tax subsidies were raised to 400% of the poverty level because of COVID, meaning we qualified for the subsidy making the monthly payment less than $300 a month. This lasted until recently with the gubmint shutdown and the end of those subsidies. With open enrollment coming up, we are looking at least $2600 per month for just my wife and I.... $31,200 per year for shitty health insurance we won't be able to use! Not happening. My wife said it before I did.... "I guess we're gonna go without again."
Luckily, neither of us have chronic health issues or kids. So like before, we will put away the money we would spend on health insurance premiums, and pay cash to go to the doctor. Funny thing about that, is how much LESS you pay in cash for a doctor visit compared to what they charge insurance. In case of a big medical bill, we'll just use the hospital's no interest payment plan. For meds, we'll go the CVS and use one of the consumer discount prescription cards. I hope that with all of us that can no longer afford to be in Obongo care, that piece of shit system collapses into irreversible financial ruin. Below is my multi-point plan to FIX the national health insurance problems once and for all. Too bad it will never happen because TPTB make way too much money off the insurance-medical-pharmaceutical industry.
1). Health insurance is no longer tied to employment.
Each time I was unemployed, I kept my homeowner's, life, auto, motorcycle, and umbrella insurance because I paid the premiums. It was only my health insurance that could go to COBRA for only 18 months if I were willing to pay for it, or NOTHING. Minimal or no contracts. Don't like your coverage... CHANGE IT!
2). Remove ALL federal and state mandates and restrictions. This will:
A). Let me buy a policy across state lines from whatever company I want no matter where they are located.
B). No "enrollment period," change your carrier and/or plan WHEN YOU WANT just like I can with all my other insurance.
C). Pay only for the coverage and services we want. At our age we won't be expecting any children, have no addictions, WILL NOT PAY FOR BABY MURDER, etc. A catastrophic only plan would work for us right now.
3). No restrictions like In/Out of Network. Have insurance, choose to use it or pay in cash to ANY provider for any service. This will:
A). Put the consumer in charge of prices for healthcare by returning market forces.
B). Force providers to charge REASONABLE fees for service, not the max they think insurance will pay. This is why healthcare costs skyrocket out of sight. Doctors charge more, insurance eventually pays more, then doctors charge more.... lather-rinse-repeat over and over, while we pay higher and higher premiums to cover these payments.
4). There is no reason for government control of healthcare or insurance other than normal business regulation and consumer protections.
The recommendation to folks like me at the moment is to sit tight and do nothing. The deadline to make changes in Kommiecticut is December 15th. My policy will automatically renew if I do nothing, and will be cancelled if I don't make payment by January 1st. I will try to keep my dental policy because it covers a lot and is only $70 a month for my wife and I. As much as I hate Obongo care, it is all I can have until I hit 65 and then get Medicare. My wife will get on it a year later. I was hoping to cruise along on this crappy plan until then.
So until December 15th or the subsidies are renewed, I wait.
The health insurance is not set up to be affordable, or keep you healthy, it is set up to make hospitals, doctors, and the health insurance company rich.
ReplyDeleteEliminate the insurance companies from healthcare.
ReplyDeleteEnd of problem.
I disagree about eliminating health insurance. Stop using health insurance for the minutia and wellness bullshit unless YOU want to pay extra for it. I don't use my car insurance for oil changes or new tires and batteries. So if I go to the doctor when I am sick, I'll pay cash. Need some antibiotics? Pay cash. Have a stroke or cardiac issue, then insurance can pay for it based on what deductible I choose to pay which is reflected on my premiums.
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