Wednesday, February 5, 2014

AFFORDABLE (?) CARE ACT

Not!

I just learned that my Maui Kaiser health plan does NOT offer care in Oregon.  Just for 90 days.  Since I will be living in Oregon at least six months a year, I had to go shopping for a plan that is mostly Oregon (annual and preventative stuff) yet also covers sickness or emergencies in Maui.


It was a learning experience.  Every company offers at least THREE plans with at least three sub-plans under those.  

SILVER
     Silver Be Prepared.  
     Silver Be Fit.  
     Silver Be Smart.  
     Silver Be Aligned.  
     Silver Rose City.  
     Silver Standard.  

After spending hours online, and on the phone (really Kaiser?  I can't get this plan in Oregon?), I had to resort to an insurance broker. 

My monthly payment was high previously ($530) ... because I was on three medications and had been to counseling IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.  There were 20+ pages of questions to answer. Have I ever had cancer.  Have I ever had diabetes.  Have I ever had a hangnail.  I was rejected three times.  I finally had to get a letter from my Doctor AND the counselor explaining how normal and low maintenance I was.  

So I was really shocked, now that we have "affordable" health care, to discover a plan similar to my current plan would be $680+.  Imagine my surprise also that now EVERY plan has a deductible.  Good grief am I looking forward to turning 65 and getting on Medicare.

This really isn't affordable.  But at least the application was three pages max, mostly their words, and I only had to supply my name, address, Social Security Number and signature.  

P.S.  I signed up for a cheaper option, high deductible, with in network services in both locations.  $480.

6 comments:

  1. I'm so glad I don't have to get involved in that insurance hunt thing! Glad you found something.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know how old(er) people sort it all out. My brain was tired!

      Delete
  2. That is why I am still working, we can't afford the affordable care! That is just insane that your plan you had would not cover you in Oregon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honest. I though we were all part of the United States ... totally not united in the health care department. Or the driver license department.

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. I hope I don't have to get a job ... then I'd have to pick one spot to live for the next three years .... hmmm ....

      Delete

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