Posted: 8/22/2016 10:44:10 AM EDT
| Looking to possibly get away from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Their rates are skyrocketing and their top execs are getting huge bonuses. Since we are retired we have to buy our own. Any recommendations for something more reasonable? |
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Might read through this website, it has a lot of information about insurance, then contact Monica Lindeen's office to set if they have any information they can provide.
https://www.healthinsurance.org/montana-state-health-insurance-exchange/ |
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Looking to possibly get away from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Their rates are skyrocketing and their top execs are getting huge bonuses. Since we are retired we have to buy our own. Any recommendations for something more reasonable? All thanks to the "Affordable" Care Act. Opponents of the act, predicted the skyrocketing rates, but the preachers were preaching that it says "affordable" in the title and distracted their flocks from the details. Good luck finding anything better, since the government has already "prescribed" a one-size-fits-all package for us all that the insurance companies are mandated to give you. |
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If you are Medicare qualified, go to your local Agency on Aging, my wife just spent 3 hours there yesterday and they we able to help out quite a bit, plus they were able to offer help on property taxes and some other stuff if you need it. Thanks for the tip Dave. Not there yet. I know open enrollment is a few months away but I want to get my research done by then. Just burns me to no end that huge bonuses are going out to the suits at the top of these companies. |
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Thanks for the tip Dave. Not there yet. I know open enrollment is a few months away but I want to get my research done by then. Just burns me to no end that huge bonuses are going out to the suits at the top of these companies. Quoted:
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If you are Medicare qualified, go to your local Agency on Aging, my wife just spent 3 hours there yesterday and they we able to help out quite a bit, plus they were able to offer help on property taxes and some other stuff if you need it. Thanks for the tip Dave. Not there yet. I know open enrollment is a few months away but I want to get my research done by then. Just burns me to no end that huge bonuses are going out to the suits at the top of these companies. I fully understand, it pisses me off to no end how the health care industry is these days, my wife turns 65 next month but don't qualify for her full social security benefit until she is 66 but you have to take the medicare at 65 or screw your SS benefit up, so now we have to pay over $120 a month until she gets her SS next year! talk about a fucked up system. Now with this Obamacare bull shit, you have to have insurance or get fined! The companies can basically get away with murder and all anybody can say is thank you sir, may I have another! |
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Quoted:The companies can basically get away with murder and all anybody can say is thank you sir, may I have another!
That's not even the worst of it. The ACA did absolutely nothing to address the actual costs charged by the caregivers, or (worse) the pharmaceutical companies. The majority of "the Act" affects insurance, not the care providers. So the big healthcare businesses get no pressure to lower what they charge for care. If anything they have a green light to increase charges, because now everyone is required to be insured. FWIW My dog had an operation last week that cost 600, with no insurance. That includes a 2 night stay, 2 weeks worth of antibiotics, and a weeks worth of painkillers. That same operation would have likely cost me more out of pocket with deductibles and copays, not even including what the insurance would pay, if it had been on me or one of my kids. I think the next time I get sick or hurt, I'm taking myself to the vet. |
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Looking to possibly get away from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Their rates are skyrocketing and their top execs are getting huge bonuses. Since we are retired we have to buy our own. Any recommendations for something more reasonable? Depending on your needs, there might not be any other options. Co-Op and Pacific Source are the only other 2 individual carriers in the state and they have varying participating provider networks. |
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So why are we so screwed here in MT? Is it a Federal thing or State thing? It isn't just here in Montana. Insurance is based within State borders for the most part, but it is a nationwide problem. There's the possibility of a huge civics lesson here, but suffice it to say that because the Fed has their hands in every person's pockets, they have the economic influence to make the States bend to their will. Oh, and since we're talking mainly about BCBS. I was in Helena 2 weeks ago, and BCBS has a huge, brand new headquarters building on Highway 12 between Helena and East Helena. Brought to you courtesy of their deal with the devil. |
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So why are we so screwed here in MT? Is it a Federal thing or State thing? It is a combination of things. Small market in the grand scheme, tough to deal with providers who have monopolies, and a difficult regulatory environment. The individual market itself is in shambles because it became come one, come all. Now the sickest of the sick are able to pay for coverage, most often with tax subsidies while you pay full price. What a grand idea... 
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It isn't just here in Montana. Insurance is based within State borders for the most part, but it is a nationwide problem. There's the possibility of a huge civics lesson here, but suffice it to say that because the Fed has their hands in every person's pockets, they have the economic influence to make the States bend to their will. Oh, and since we're talking mainly about BCBS. I was in Helena 2 weeks ago, and BCBS has a huge, brand new headquarters building on Highway 12 between Helena and East Helena. Brought to you courtesy of their deal with the devil. Quoted:
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So why are we so screwed here in MT? Is it a Federal thing or State thing? It isn't just here in Montana. Insurance is based within State borders for the most part, but it is a nationwide problem. There's the possibility of a huge civics lesson here, but suffice it to say that because the Fed has their hands in every person's pockets, they have the economic influence to make the States bend to their will. Oh, and since we're talking mainly about BCBS. I was in Helena 2 weeks ago, and BCBS has a huge, brand new headquarters building on Highway 12 between Helena and East Helena. Brought to you courtesy of their deal with the devil. That might be the new MT building, but it isn't the company headquarters anymore. For that, you need to head SE about 1,500 miles. |
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I know of more than a few folks who just pay the fine as it is cheaper for them. I know for my own company insurance the prices have gone through the roof, while the deductibles get higher and higher. Almost to the point now where I can see what they are talking about. Outside of a catastrophe, I might as well not even have it. Since you can't be turned down, or rate boosted, for a pre-existing condition (what I have heard anyway), I can see these other folk's plan as making some sense. From what I have read, the best plan to get is a "Silver" level, and then through subsidies and what not you can get it boosted to above much more expensive coverage. I would say do lots of research!! :D |
| I'd like to opt out and pay the fine but it would be my luck I would need some sort of medical and get the crap sued out of me and loose everything I have worked for. Shameful that the dregs of society, refugees, and illegals get shit handed to them with no sort of allegiance to the country or a work ethic. |
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I'd like to opt out and pay the fine but it would be my luck I would need some sort of medical and get the crap sued out of me and loose everything I have worked for. Shameful that the dregs of society, refugees, and illegals get shit handed to them with no sort of allegiance to the country or a work ethic. Where are you at in the state? PM if you want. I know a few brokers who might be helpful if you are in the right city. |
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Looks like Bill Clinton got it right but his wife does agree. Bullock and Tester have not denounced this atrocity and called for reform. They tow the party line and are in lockstep with Obama.
Bill on the not so Affordable Care Act |
| Sick Montana folk not going to the doctor http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/11/05/obamacare-victims-revolt-dont-kind-money/ |
| Went to a broker today and went with Pacificsource for 2017. Wasn't going to go with BCBS after they gave bonuses to employees. Almost $1500 a month for a crappy bronze plan with outrageous co-pay and deductibles. The broker said if we didn't like it to call Tester's office and put it on him for selling us out and backing ACA. Hopefully a President Trump can make this mess better. |