Vegas Free-for-All - The Unaffordable Care Act

The Unaffordable Care Act

Dan Svatass

Sep 17, 2013
10:39am

malibber2, you're accurately citing the maximum cap that's allowed nationwide. However, like other states, Oregon will index its out-of-pocket cap based on family income, and it's less, depending on that income. At the $70k income level, a family of four will get both premium support and a reduced cap. At least that's how it looks to me for that one state.

I hope the information you've been provided after your challenge has shown you how Obamacare will help you find a way better than bankruptcy to manage your wife's medical expenses.

You really should get your family some health insurance.

malibber2

Sep 17, 2013
11:05am

Block User

ha ha I live in Indiana they are doing the minimum required by the law. At this point there are only 4 insurers offering plans in the state exchange and 2 of them offer the bronze plan only if I am reading the charts correctly. LOL we can argue all day, but I know I was told by my attorney my best case was 20k-25k out of pocket every year including premiums for the foreseeable future. That is of course before the out of pocket limits were taken off by Obama for 2014.

Oh well at least O is looking out for my best interests :

Quote

A senior administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said: “We knew this was an important issue. We had to balance the interests of consumers with the concerns of health plan sponsors and carriers, which told us that their computer systems were not set up to aggregate all of a person’s out-of-pocket costs. They asked for more time to comply.”

Gosh those poor old insurance companies I kind of feel sorry for them 4 years to make computers talk to each other just isn't enough time. If only somebody had invented something that allowed computers to talk to each other. Oh well maybe someday.

Dan Svatass

Sep 17, 2013
12:13pm

Block User

You are right that, in certain circumstances, the out-of-pocket caps won't apply for 2014, that they're being delayed to 2015. Which definitely does suck.

However, as the NYTimes noted, starting January 1 your wife, who has a chronic illness, cannot be denied health insurance or charged higher premiums because of pre-existing conditions, and, depending on your family income, may qualify for subsidies intended to lower the costs.

BY THE WAY: Have you noticed how your complaints have changed from "Obamacare's not going to help us at all" to "Obamacare's not getting here* fast enough"?

* EDITED PER BOBORME.

jatki

Sep 17, 2013
1:00pm

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: esteskefauver

Quote
Originally posted by: Moosehaven
Actual facts about American healthcare.

Anyone that believes the crap that guys selling is a complete moron. Heart disease and cancer are the #1 and #2 causes of death and the leading cause of both those diseases is obesity. Obesity is also a major factor in other diseases and health problems like diabetes, back pain, and high blood pressure.

Not entirely, it is true that americans are way way overcharged for hospital care. I remember when I left the hospital, an aide was loading me up with "goodie bag" and I remebr hercommenting on a pack of wet wipes that they charge $35 bucks for. I guess that after the millions already spent on me,my goodie bag was gratis (correct?). So there is no misconception about the ridiculous costs of simple items. BUT, the nurse need to be paid, and paid well, they do the bulk of the work. I know a few of them saved my life on more than one occasion a coupla nights. I digress(ed) sorry.I wasnt charged for the $35wipes.
J

BobOrme

Sep 17, 2013
3:30pm

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: Chilcoot "Obamacare's not getting her fast enough"?

Hmmm....

esteskefauver

Sep 18, 2013
10:45am

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: jatki99

Quote
Originally posted by: esteskefauver
Quote
Originally posted by: Moosehaven
Actual facts about American healthcare.

Anyone that believes the crap that guys selling is a complete moron. Heart disease and cancer are the #1 and #2 causes of death and the leading cause of both those diseases is obesity. Obesity is also a major factor in other diseases and health problems like diabetes, back pain, and high blood pressure.

No doubt Americans are charged much more than what the care should cost in an efficient market. It's almost criminal what hospitals charge some patients. It's my understanding that they will charge more if you have insurance because the insurance company won't contest while an uninsured will certainly contest any exorbitant charges.

Getting back to our poor eating habits. I have 3 friends(all under 50) diagnosed with cancer in the past year or so. One has died and the outlook is not great for the other two. Two of them are obese and one is morbidly obese. All three are on the potato chips/ice cream/hamburger diet and probably couldn't remember the last time they ate a vegetable that wasn't microwaved. In short, it's not just that we are gorging ourselves as a nation, it's also that we are eating crappy food even when we are not obese.

snidely333

Sep 18, 2013
2:19pm

Block User

Quote

Originally posted by: esteskefauver

Quote
Originally posted by: jatki99
Quote
Originally posted by: esteskefauver
Quote
Originally posted by: Moosehaven
Actual facts about American healthcare.

Anyone that believes the crap that guys selling is a complete moron. Heart disease and cancer are the #1 and #2 causes of death and the leading cause of both those diseases is obesity. Obesity is also a major factor in other diseases and health problems like diabetes, back pain, and high blood pressure.

Not entirely, it is true that americans are way way overcharged for hospital care. I remember when I left the hospital, an aide was loading me up with "goodie bag" and I remebr hercommenting on a pack of wet wipes that they charge $35 bucks for. I guess that after the millions already spent on me,my goodie bag was gratis (correct?). So there is no misconception about the ridiculous costs of simple items. BUT, the nurse need to be paid, and paid well, they do the bulk of the work. I know a few of them saved my life on more than one occasion a coupla nights. I digress(ed) sorry.I wasnt charged for the $35wipes.
J

Insurance companies negotiate prices with hospitals. Charges are more if you don't have insurance. My health insurance pays very little of the total bill. For example, I had a visit to the ER. Hospital billed $9242. Insurance paid them $1154 and I paid $100.

It's immoral and should be illegal for the non-insured to be billed more than the insured.

jatki

Sep 18, 2013
4:05pm

Block User

Snidely is correct,insurance companys have a pre-negotiated price on pretty much all charges and procedures. They pay X amount, if that doesnt cover what the hospital thinks is "fair", the patient is billed the difference.

Tip;if uninsured and have so,wthing done, ask what the insurance co rate is, you might be able to negotiare a better price.