I received notice that my BC/BS premium

[Freeper]

lillypaddle  Donating Member  (849 posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Wed Aug-04-10 06:05 PM
Original message
I received notice that my BC/BS premium
   
will increase to $650.00 a month in October. That's with a $5,000 deductible. I'm 62, and Medicare is eons away - I have just been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and I also have high cholesterol. Yes, I've modified my diet, but in order to have my prescriptions refilled, I need to have blood work done every three months. Without the "insurance rate," there's no way I can afford to have the lab work done.

I can choose a cheaper policy that's about $450/month, but that means a $10,000 deductible. Are you kidding me????

I've worked my entire life. I know that there are others who are facing even more dire circumstances, yet I feel so abandoned, somehow. I feel like my only option is to just let the insurance go (not much choice to do otherwise) and let the cards fall where they may.

I'm not looking for sympathy, but somehow I thought the recent "health care/insurance reform" would make things better. I guess not. What to do? Any suggestions?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8880660

If only someone had gone around and telling people that premiums would go up.
Oh wait we did and were called racists for going against Obama care.

mike_c  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Wed Aug-04-10 07:13 PM
Response to Original message
18. stop complaining, citizen-- this is Change You Can Believe In....
   

 

[Mike220]

Hmm...

I have BC/BS. I have a $3500 deductible and I'm responsible for 25% over anything over that. I pay $89 a month. Granted I'm about half the DUmmy's age and probably in much better health since I haven't ingested the chemicals your normal DUmmy has, but still.

[Ballygrl]

Hubby and I have B/C B/S, we pay $668 per month for both of us, $5,000 deductible, 50/50 prescription. The $5,000 deductible usually applies though if someone is admitted to the Hospital, I don't have to pay for Lab work, and I had a CT Scan a few weeks ago but will only pay the $100 co-pay, Doctors and Specialist visits are covered except for the co-pay.

[MrsSmith]

My husband has to "have blood work" done every 3 months for Type 2 diabetes.  When he was on my insurance, nothing was covered until he met the deductible, and that blood work ran about $300 every 3 months.  For $650 a month, the DUmmy may be better off just paying his own medical bills...(yeah, I know, paying your own bills is a horror to dims.)  

[Ballygrl]

BTW, costs could be brought down significantly if they allowed Insurance Companies to compete by allowing people to buy over State lines. It's naive to think the Government was going to lower costs, if anything middle class people with private insurance will be forced onto a Government plan which won't be anything like private insurance.

[Ballygrl]

begin_within  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)
Wed Aug-04-10 07:12 PM
Response to Reply #6
17. Kaiser has very poor standards of health care, in my opinion.
   
My Mom was on Kaiser a long time, and it was very poor, then switched over to SCAN, which was much better, but they raised their prices and now she's on regular Medicare (she also has Tricare). My opinion of Kaiser is pretty low after taking her there for many years. They try to cut corners as much as possible, the doctors change constantly, and they simply have too many members for the facilities they have. One night in particular when my Mom was in severe abdominal pain they made us wait in a hallway for almost 3 hours, and it turned out to be a kidney stone. Kaiser is really bottom-of-the-barrel health care, if you ask me. The fact that they are both an insurer and provider makes for a built-in conflict of interest as well.

Wait til they see what Government run Healthcare will be like.

[thundley4]

BTW, costs could be brought down significantly if they allowed Insurance Companies to compete by allowing people to buy over State lines. It's naive to think the Government was going to lower costs, if anything middle class people with private insurance will be forced onto a Government plan which won't be anything like private insurance.

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner !!! 

Getting single payer was the goal of this sham insurance reform bill.

[Ballygrl]

Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner !!! 

Getting single payer was the goal of this sham insurance reform bill.

Of course it was, there was never any intent on improving the system ie buying over State lines etc. and the fact that Democrats exempted themselves, their staff, and the Unions from this abomination of a healthcare plan should indicate what the intent really was.

[DefiantSix]

Hmm...

I have BC/BS. I have a $3500 deductible and I'm responsible for 25% over anything over that. I pay $89 a month. Granted I'm about half the DUmmy's age and probably in much better health since I haven't ingested the chemicals your normal DUmmy has, but still.

Nothing really wrong with this statement the way it's constructed, it's just that using the words "normal" and "DUmmy" in the same sentence like that affects me like fingernails on a blackboard.



EOM

[Mike220]

Nothing really wrong with this statement the way it's constructed, it's just that using the words "normal" and "DUmmy" in the same sentence like that affects me like fingernails on a blackboard.



EOM

How does "standard DUmmy" or "average DUmmy" work instead? 

[DefiantSix]

How does "standard DUmmy" or "average DUmmy" work instead? 

As most DUmmies are in fact "below average", I'd still take issue with "Average DUmmy", but "standard DUmmy" doesn't seem to evoke more than the usual gut wrenching.  In fact it falls right in line with my usual (stereo)"Typical DUmmy".

[Mike220]

As most DUmmies are in fact "below average", I'd still take issue with "Average DUmmy", but "standard DUmmy" doesn't seem to evoke more than the usual gut wrenching.  In fact it falls right in line with my usual (stereo)"Typical DUmmy".

 

I didn't think of "typical." But I like "standard."

[Chris_]

"Standard" implies there is an improved model available. 

[ColonialMarine0431]

I'm 62, and Medicare is eons away

3 years is "eons".     He might want to get tested for ADHD.

[Chris_]

We have BC/BS and our premiums are also going to rise.

TOLD YA SO, DUMMIES!

[diesel driver]

How does "standard DUmmy" or "average DUmmy" work instead? 

I prefer "damned DUmmie" myself.

But, that just me.   

[JohnnyReb]

...and Gomer Pyle says to the DUmmies "Surprise, surprise."

[terry]

illypaddle  Donating Member  (853 posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Thu Aug-05-10 04:58 AM
Response to Reply #20
25. Well ...
   
I'm one of the lucky ones - my boss has been paying my insurance up to now, but he's struggling, and I know there is no way he will pay the new premium. Maybe part of it. But other than my ankle surgery a year & a half ago, and about $800 a year in prescriptions & co-pays, I haven't had any medical expenses to speak of. That's why it's ridiculous that my premiums are going to be so high.

DrDan  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Wed Aug-04-10 06:18 PM
Response to Original message
5. I assume you have an HSA - at least save some tax dollars
   

lillypaddle  Donating Member  (853 posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Wed Aug-04-10 06:42 PM
Response to Reply #5
11. No HSA
   
I work for a CPA, and he said that with my insurance, this wouldn't really be a benefit for me.

DrDan  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Wed Aug-04-10 08:55 PM
Response to Reply #11
20. huh? And why is that? I don't understand that at all.
   
Aren't you paying your bills with after-tax dollars? With a high-deductible policy (yours seems to qualify - my deductible is $2300 and I qualify), seems you should be able to start an HSA and pay your bills through that and get a tax refund on those medical expenses.
Alert    

DrDan  Donating Member  (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Wed Aug-04-10 08:58 PM
Response to Reply #11
21. here are the HSA rules . . .
   
http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/public-affairs/hsa/faq_b...

illypaddle  Donating Member  (853 posts) Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Thu Aug-05-10 05:01 AM
Response to Reply #21
26. Thanks for posting
   
It doesn't appear I qualify, based on the amount of my insurance premiums alone.

This person is not paying the premium, but has employer provided coverage.  

The amount of the premiums is not a qualifying factor for an HSA.

This sounds like another case of just making stuff up to get attention.

I think some of them sit around and think 'what if?' then make up a story and post it.   Something like 'sure my insurance is all paid by my employer but what if it wasn't?'  

I have a BC/BS policy for me (I'm 49) and my 15 yo son.  The premium is $235 a month with a $2200 deductible.  Annual physicals and immunizations are not included in the deductible, they are paid.  It has an 80/20 co-pay after the deductible is met with $4500 out of pocket max.  I have an HSA.   The policy was just renewed in May.

[TheSarge]

mike_c  Donating Member  (1000+ posts)  Journal  Click to send private message to this author  Click to view this author's profile  Click to add this author to your buddy list  Click to add this author to your Ignore list      Wed Aug-04-10 07:13 PM
Response to Original message
18. stop complaining, citizen-- this is Change You Can Believe In....

As much as I criticize this idiot for some of his moronic postings...I must give credit where credit is due.

That is an outstanding and spot on post from mike_c

[Ralph Wiggum]

"Standard" implies there is an improved model available. 

[Ralph Wiggum]

As much as I criticize this idiot for some of his moronic postings...I must give credit where credit is due.

That is an outstanding and spot on post from mike_c

Good point.  However, doesn't that somehow violate $kimmer's new rules - technically BugBoy is being critical of dear leader.

[TheSarge]

Good point.  However, doesn't that somehow violate $kimmer's new rules - technically BugBoy is being critical of dear leader.

Should be interesting to see if there is a granite cookie being backed for Bugsy.

[BlueStateSaint]

Should be interesting to see if there is a granite cookie being backed for Bugsy.

Gee, Tx . . . if so, ya think you'd invite him over here?

 

[TheSarge]

Gee, Tx . . . if so, ya think you'd invite him over here?

 

LOL! If he wants another dose of what I gave him at LU over the whole troops = war criminals BS...he's welcome to sign up.

[AllosaursRus]

I didn't think of "typical." But I like "standard."

I prefer the ol' standby, DUmbass DUmmie! Tells me all I need to know!