tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512362.post7156552805874903630..comments2024-03-10T13:59:19.230-04:00Comments on xpostfactoid: Help me tell ACA storiesAndrew Sprunghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17601269968798865106noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512362.post-84104389220566467432017-02-01T11:57:06.813-05:002017-02-01T11:57:06.813-05:00Thank you for the detailed info, Casey. Would you ...Thank you for the detailed info, Casey. Would you be willing to do a phone call? If so, please email to the address in "About me" - AndrewAndrew Sprunghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17601269968798865106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512362.post-56027118266777446962017-01-27T18:37:26.514-05:002017-01-27T18:37:26.514-05:00I'm part of the third group. I earn too much t...I'm part of the third group. I earn too much to receive a subsidy, but I am satisfied with my coverage. I enrolled in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Multi State Plan with Dental and Vision. I'm 27 and live in Zone 7 so my premiums are $371 per month. It's a lot of money, but my prescription drugs and doctor visits are covered before the $3500 deductible. The drugs would be unaffordable without coverage. For example, one drug is $443 per month without insurance, but only $15 at rite aid with a copay. I don't get coverage through work because I only have 6 coworkers and all receive coverage through spouses, the VA, or Medicaid. My Board of Directors decided to give me a pay raise rather than health care due to the employer mandate after the ACA ruled that all full time employees had to be covered if anyone was covered. Everyone is full-time so this did not work out for me.<br /><br />I have benefitted greatly from the ACA's coverage rules even though I don't get any subsidies. The under 26 provision saved me probably $15,000 until I was kicked off my Mom's plan at the end of the year that I turned 26. Blue Cross Blue Shield lets you do it this way rather than on one's 26th birthday. I remember what health plans on the individual market looked like pre-ACA and they were significantly worse than they are now so I am grateful for the ACA. I remember a Blue Cross plan that had a $10,000 deductible and covered nothing before that. I like the Essential Health Benefits regulation which makes ACA plans as good as employer based plans. I like that many different services are covered because plans are more like real coverage now even with the high deductibles. It doesn't bother me to not receive a subsidy because I earn enough. That's like envying poor people because they get food stamps and don't pay taxes. Even if I don't qualify for a government benefit, I'm still better off than those that do.<br /><br />Part of the reason that I like my coverage is because I know how much health care costs without it and it makes me feel safer. My family has always had coverage, but when my father was in a car accident and we received the medical bills later. Our cost was $6,800 instead of $42,000 for everything. A $6,800 out of pocket maximum is a lot of money, but it's manageable compared to $42,000 and up.<br /><br />Part of the reason that I'm grateful for the ACA is because of student loan reforms that were slipped into the reconciliation bill. While even I, a supporter of the ACA, found this odd. I really don't want the law repealed because without Income Based Repayment, my payments would be $336 instead of $143. So not only would I lose my health insurance, but I would also be paying a lot more for my student loans.Casey Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08879460435885696829noreply@blogger.com