Obamacare hits home ~

>>I'm so glad to hear that everyone who didn't want insurance and never wanted to pay for it will now be covered at the taxpayers' expense, and our rates skyrocketed. Makes me sick to think about how much worse this will be when it hits full force.<<

I'm not sure who you are talking about here, but "those people" were getting free care in our hospital emergency rooms already. If we can provide them with preventive care taxpayer monies will be saved in the long run.

I have two daughters aged 24 and 25 who are among the working poor. They don't have and can't get insurance but they want insurance and want to pay for it. So please don't lump them in with your "those people" comments.

There is no perfect solution. But leaving things the way they were was a lousy option.

I'm not lumping them in, because they wanted to get it, but somehow couldn't.

Here's an example.  My bf's son hurt himself getting out of the car on Monday.  Instead of going to the free clinic to get himself checked out, he decided to wait until last night (Tuesday), that he'd just go to the ER and get it taken care of, cause he wanted to go out and have a good time with his gf first.  He waited at least 24 hours.  Better to party it on up first, then get yourself checked out.  The bulb is off on this kid.

He could get a job, but thinks it's "cool" to only work 11 hours a week, under the table, and make around $80.  He doesn't wanna give up his free time so he can be with his gf, his friends, and do whatever his heart desires.  I'm sure his ER cost will be astronomical, but, hey, he's got a "free ride", so what does he care?

The thing is, he could get a job, but doesnt want to work.  He could then get some kind of healthcare, but why would he give up that "free and fun time" he's having?  He was laughing in the background last night that at least he won't friggin have to pay for it...and said...SUCKAS!  I think me being aggravated was putting it mildly.

I think young people, most of them, aren't like this.  The economy sucks.  This is hopefully, going to get better for everyone in the US.  I know many who are looking for jobs.  I have a friend that's been looking for over 18 months.  She's lucky to get the COBRA reduction in monthly payment.

And I think your daughters should be able to get health insurance.  I don't think its fair to them, but when I have to pick up the cost because of my bf's son (who's not too bright), that doesn't sit well with me.

Sorry if that came out the wrong way in my original post.  I'm frustrated because of his attitude (and others are like that too), and I have no control over what happens.  I guess I like to be proactive, instead of reactive.  I want everyone to have healthcare, but I want it to be fair to all, not just some, and I think we're seeing the first effects of this now, with the increase in rates.

I think we all tried to follow a similar rule here...think twice, cut once.   I wish they would have thought this way before they rushed through this bill.  Don't just have a lap band instead of a DS just to "get it done".  It may be that right now we have lousy options, but I wi**** would be better structured and thought out.

We have had an HSA for several years and have not had any problems. In fact it has been quite benefical for us. This year alone, my husband had surgery in January on his foot  (had a pin put in from a white water rafting accident) and right off the bat we met our deductible. Which means everything in network is paid for at 100% (the allowable amount - we have had to pay and extra $150 since doctors offices sometimes have a clause that they can charge more than the insurance company is willing to pay).  Almost everything has been paid for after we met our $4000.00 deductible. Basically my DS was free and his should be too.

There are some things about an HSA that are not ideal, especially the fact that you can't borrow against what you plan to put in through out the year, like you can with a flexible spending account,  but the hospitals have been very flexible with us by allowing us to make monthly  payments until we have it paid off (most hospitals will do that if you ask).

There is a bonus to the HSA, if you are one of those people/familes that don't get sick very often you get to roll whatever amount of the money you contribute over in your HSA account for use at a later time.

Can I ask what type of monthly premium, if you know, there is, for a $4000 deductible?

Sounds like my employers want to put $XXX (TBD) into an HSA, and we pay the premiums and deductible out of the account.

It's so confusing, and we were told this would probably change starting 10/1.

It is just my husband and myself and we are on his company's plan. They pay $583 per month toward the premium and we pay an additional $238.00 per month in addition to what they contribute, so total would be about $821.00.  We are also, putting the maximum contribution amount in the HSA account which for us is roughly an additional $500.00 per month, since our decuctable is lower than what we can contribute to the HSA, we will have some funds left over to use next year which will be nice.

We are fortunate that his company pays a substantial chunk of the premium currently. I hope they continue to do that.

Previously, when my company was shopping around and decided they wanted to swtich to an HSA they gave everyone $500.00 to open their account which was nice. It benefited them by having lower rates, but also gave us some incentive to switch from the standard insurance (non-HSA) to an HSA.

 

Kerry... First off, thank you for being an employer and offering an opportunity to people!

Most people take their benefits for granted, I believe this will change when they see their premiums or co-pays increase. Employees have no idea how expensive it is for their employer, of any size, to offer health insurance. These changes may eventually trickle down to the average consumer, businesses have to find a way to recoup some of the cost and it could be on the pricing of their service or product. Nothing is "free"

Our medical system and insurance is a huge mess...

Lisa

I agree with you Kerry and Lisa....As a Manager for a relatively small General Contractor  here in Utah who generously offers 100% paid insurance for it's employees and 25% portion paid for spouse...I feel so very fortunate....But I see the changes coming around the bend....With a 48% hike in insurance costs when we renewed this year the owner agreed to continue again this year as in the past, but I and all our employees wonder how long can he do this? Insurance costs will continue to rise and the average cost of insurance for employees over the age of 35 is about $850 per month...The government intends to allow companies to have "tax breaks" for providing insurance...What does that entail? Will we as employees then receive this $850.00 per month added to our W-2 at the end of the year so that small business can write off the cost of the insurance? This is one of the statements I read in the very lengthy "health care plan"... This means that would add additional $10,500 to my annual income that I will be taxed upon...That is scary....

Also, if mandated to carry insurance for all employees...small business will either lower hourly wages or salaries to off set costs or pay the fine the government accrues for businesses not offering insurance...Honestly it's cheaper to pay the fine...I think there's a reason for that?

JRolfson

"Will we as employees then receive this $850.00 per month added to our W-2 at the end of the year so that small business can write off the cost of the insurance?


No, you will not.


This is one of the statements I read in the very lengthy "health care plan"... This means that would add additional $10,500 to my annual income that I will be taxed upon...That is scary...."


No, you did NOT read it in the Health Care Plan.  You read it in one of those nonsense posts that was floating around before the vote with all the lies meant to scare poeple.  I just don't get why--once people figure out that they are being lied to--they keep on believing this nonsense...black widow spiders in the hair level legends.


And this?

Also, if mandated to carry insurance for all employees...

It's more Obama-hate stuff meant to scare those who just won't take the time to read the bill and understand it.  There is no such mandate.

It is too bad that people who are trying to use you have succeeded in making you afraid of things that don't even exist.

The reason they gave you is their excuse, but it isn't the reason.  The reaon is greed.  As usual.

Our insurance went up last year, before the Health Care Bill was passed.  It went down this year (to $1485/month for a family of two...employer pays about $1100 of that...it had been a little over $1500/month) when the contract changed dental insurance carriers.

Meanwhile, our insurance is Anthem BC...in other words, Wellpoint.  Here's how poorly THEY have been doing since Obama was elected and since Health Care passed:

finance.yahoo.com/echarts



Oh, and the CEO at Wellpoint?  I wonder if she'll still pay herself over $9,000,000 per year. 
www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/wellpoints-angela-braly-ceo-c ompensation/2009-05-14


Obamacare, my ass.  It's Greed...pure greed!

In most countries that have "universal" health care, those that can get private insurance. I am in the healthcare industry and work with professionals from many different countries. One RN went back to Ireland to fight for her Dad. He needed a pacemaker and was placed on a "list" to get into the "larger" hospital to get it.

The reality is, WE are going to pay for insuring the illegal aliens and the uninsured Americans. I have a problem with the illegal group. I also find it interesting that the goverment officials (including Obama and his family) will NOT be covered under universal health care but will have PRIVATE insurance. Hmmmmmmmmmm...