Wednesday, December 6, 2017

MY 2018 AFFORDABLE CARE ACT INSURANCE

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

In my post on Monday, I invited you to guess how much I'll have to pay for my 2018 health insurance that I have because of the Affordable Care Act. Most of you said you had no idea how much it would cost, but I saw a couple of guesses for around $500 a month. I'm happy to say that it's not nearly that expensive.

For 2017, I've had a gold plan that cost a little more than $400 a month. It had a low deductible, which I thought was a great idea, but it didn't help me much. I didn't reach my maximum out-of-pocket expenses until the end of November. I've gotten to fill a few prescriptions for free, but that's it––unless I manage to break a bone or get sick before the end of December, which I don't intend to do.

I decided to try a different tactic for 2018. I chose a bronze plan that has a higher deductible, but the co-payments for doctor visits are less than I've paid this year. The prescription plan is also good. I have one non-generic prescription that will cost some serious money, but that payment will be offset by the monthly premiums for the plan because my payment will be

$0.00

Yes, you read that correctly. Zero. Zip. Nada.

Keep in mind that this health insurance if for me and me alone. I don't have a spouse or dependent children. It doesn't include eye care or dental insurance. I have to pay $35 to see my primary care physician, make a co-pay for prescriptions, and pay for any other treatments I receive, although all plans include certain basic service that are free––including mammograms.

Of course, I'm on a fixed income, too, and I have to live with the constant fear that the Republican congress, led by the president, will take away my benefits.

I still hope to get the job. I'll let you know when I hear about it.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug


37 comments:

  1. Whoa! Marvelous!! I was hoping you might hear about the job this week. Fingers crossed. :)

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    1. Still waiting for that email. I checked my spam folder. Nothing there.

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  2. our insurance just got more expensive with share of cost MUCH higher every year including after the AHCA passed, and now all we have to do is not get sick. Because all we can afford are the premiums, not a dollar more...
    I'm honestly not clear why other nations have managed this and ours somehow didn't. So glad you have a manageable situation, and yes, I hope you get the job too!

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    1. I don't understand the opposition to universal healthcare in the U.S.

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  3. Still crossing everything for your job.
    And seriously impressed with the price you are paying.

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  4. Very impressive. Thanks for sharing your story Janie and letting folks know that the ACA isn't the disaster that the Right always makes it out to be. We'll all have to worry if they pass that INSANE tax plan, which, if you hadn't heard, will take away cancer coverage for people on Medicare. That's what I heard anyway. I haven't had a chance to check that out but that sounds about right. Of course, who really knows? Except the CBO folks. Apparently people only matter if they are super wealthy. Everybody needs to do their part and call their senators and congressional representatives THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK and tell them to vote HELL NO! on that outrageous tax plan. I plan on asking them to tell me exactly what's in the bill because you know damn well they don't even know because no one has had time to read it, let alone debate it... MFers...

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  5. I'm glad you found a reasonable insurance, Janie, although to me, none of it is reasonable. Here's hoping you get that job and the benefits that go with it. Fingers crossed!

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  6. Wow, I'm so glad to read this. Happy for you and it's refreshing to read something good about the ACA.
    Fingers and toes crossed for you on the job!

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    1. I've been writing positive posts about the Affordable Care Act since it began. It's a lifesaver.

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  7. $0 It doesn't get any better than that :)

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    1. What would make it better, Martha, would be healthcare provided to everyone in the U.S., regardless of income.

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  8. The only thing I can see bad about free healthcare is that it takes forever to get an appointment!

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    1. Fortunately, I don't have any trouble getting an appointment with my doctor. He likes me.

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  9. Being an Aussie I don't have to have health insurance and I don't, I don't pay to see a GP and can see specialist through the hospital for nothing, we can't afford to be in a health fund cost around $400 a month for just me and Tim.

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  10. That sounds really good. I'm jealous. So far my medical costs are expensive. I'm glad you don't have to pay too much. Still keeping my fingers crossed about the job.

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    1. I'm sorry your medical costs are high. I didn't have insurance for a few years. It was awful.

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  11. I think this sounds like a good plan for you. Good luck not having everything taken away by the bastards currently in power.

    That cartoon reminds me of an interchange I wrote several years ago. First man says, "I hear you just turned forty!" Second guy says "Yeah, it's a real millstone in my life." First guy laughs and says "I think you mean milestone." Second guy stares at him and replies "Didn't you turn forty a couple of years ago?" First guy thinks for a long moment and says "Yes. And I'm sorry. Millstone is correct."

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    1. I know. I worry all the time that my insurance will disappear.

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  12. I hope the Republican Congress doesn't take away your healthcare, but I'm sure they'll try.

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    1. They'll try and at some point they'll probably succeed. Then the Democrats will take back Congress.

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  13. I'm glad your premium is zero but it's scary to think that doctor visits and many services are user-pay. What are some other basic services that are provided free of charge besides mammograms? Are they mostly preventative types of services?

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    1. Yes, it's all preventative stuff--like a free wellness check-up and free colonoscopy (everyone's favorite procedure). Flu shots are free. Seeing my doctor for $35 isn't bad as long as I don't become seriously ill.

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  14. How would the Republican Tax "Plan" (you know, the one with the handwritten provisions in the margins that no one got to read that was passed at 2 in the morning like all things that are good for the majority of people do) affect this since there's a provision to defund the ACA? Not to get political, as though providing healthcare to the most vulnerable people in a community can be political. I'll stop now before I just write the "f" word until I develop debilitating Carpal Tunnel.

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    1. I haven't heard anything yet about an effect on my insurance for 2018. I already have my new insurance card. If my insurance gets canceled, I'll be the one writing the eff word over and over.

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  15. So far, so good, with my health. But, I turn 60 next year so...

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    1. You can go to the VA for healthcare, can't you, Penwusser? They're such masters of taking good care of those who served us well and faithfully. You're only a little older than I am. Let's stay well together.

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  16. That's awesome. Good for you for really checking it all out.

    I don't pay anything either. I get it free through the department of defence- for retired military spouses. Although this will be the last year for free. 2019, I turn 65 and then will have to start paying the monthly amount for medicare; about $200 + a month.

    Most of the medical around here doesn't take the TriCare for retired military so we have to pay out of pocket all the time. For the big stuff, it will be fine. My husband prefers the VA where he has never had problems like the other parts of the country. Here in California, where he has gone, Palo Alto clinic and Shasta County, he's had excellent care.

    I just need a good doctor that takes care of me. Seems my doctor just does what he has to and nothing more. I have to be my own advocate.

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  17. So this is the "disaster known as Obamacare?" Under the ACA my daughter Gumby qualifies for Medicaid. I'm with you in hoping that the benefits keep on rocking.

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  18. Woah! My full-time job now uses an exchange and before they changed the plans for 2018, it was based on bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. With my health issues, I always went with platinum and gold. When I had platinum my deductible was $500... didn't really go to the doctor. This year I had gold and $1000 deductible. Just reaching my deductible. Maybe I should have looked at silver or bronze, but I was worried about my health. My company doesn't pay a lot.

    If I stay in 2018, the plans are more traditional, like a real company would offer. I'm hoping to get a new job, though, and a job with competitive insurance. Hopefully I can find one with a $0 deductible, like I had when I was on dad's insurance.

    I bought my own dental insurance this year. We'll see how that goes! Good luck, Janie!

    Love,
    Jessica

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  19. That's mah-velous, dah-ling. The ACA has been a real lifesaver for a lot of people. It's horrifying to think of the GOP finally getting its wish and ending it. Then they can start chipping away at Social Security and Medicare. (sigh)

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Got your panties in a bunch? Dig 'em out, get comfortable, and let's chat.