If you have Blue Shield health ins...

[Julie in CA]

Did you just have your rate jacked up drastically?

I just got an automated phone message from Blue Shield reminding me to look in the latest mailing of plan updates.

Surprise!! :party::cursing: The "update" is a new price.

 

$2,903.80 per month!

 

:svengo:

[Lolly]

Did you just have your rate jacked up drastically?

I just got an automated phone message from Blue Shield reminding me to look in the latest mailing of plan updates.

Surprise!! :party::cursing: The "update" is a new price.

 

$2,903.80 per month!

 

:svengo:

 

It does that every year we've had it. Most likely we will be going with another provider very, very soon.

[Remudamom]

We're Blue Cross/Blue Shield. It's a fortune. But we can't afford to change. No other company would touch me. My arthritis treatments are $24,000 a year.

[RoughCollie]

Same thing here -- every year, Blue Cross Blue Shield jacks up the price by $500 a month.

 

I will look for a job when we've finished moving, just to get health insurance. I already know several self-employed couples who have had to do that. Their businesses have been thriving for decades, but they can't afford to pay $36,000 a year for health insurance.

 

I'm starting to think it is stupid for anyone, except people who are making enough profit to be cash rich every year, to be self-employed. Between the 15.3% self-employment tax (social security, etc.) and the high cost of health insurance, it's tough -- even if you have no employees and it is just you and your spouse.

Edited June 11, 2009 by RoughCollie

[HRAAB]

Holy cow! We just took out a catastrophic health plan for the girls and me through Blue Cross (cheaper than Blue Shield). Of course, that leaves us responsible for all doctor visits, lab work, etc., however, it was all we could afford and provide protection for our assets. I don't know what to say. That is a lot of money.

 

Janet

[Brigitte]

Yep, 20% increase in premiums. Granted our premiums are low compared to what you are paying, but we get very little for it. The extra 20% hurts anyway.

[newbie]

Did you just have your rate jacked up drastically?

I just got an automated phone message from Blue Shield reminding me to look in the latest mailing of plan updates.

Surprise!! :party::cursing: The "update" is a new price.

 

$2,903.80 per month!

 

:svengo:

 

I thought we were paying thru the nose. I think ours is 1500 w/Pacificare, and yes they jack the price 3-500 every yr. Sux

[Kathy in MD]

Ours went up in Jan at the same time benefits were reduced. However since ours is through retired dh's former employer, it's subsidized and we're much better off than the self employed. But with my medical bill's, it's a lifesaver.

[Nestof3]

Same thing here -- every year, Blue Cross Blue Shield jacks up the price by $500 a month.

 

I will look for a job when we've finished moving, just to get health insurance. I already know several self-employed couples who have had to do that. Their businesses have been thriving for decades, but they can't afford to pay $36,000 a year for health insurance.

 

I'm starting to think it is stupid for anyone, except people who are making enough profit to be cash rich every year, to be self-employed. Between the 15.3% self-employment tax (social security, etc.) and the high cost of health insurance, it's tough -- even if you have no employees and it is just you and your spouse.

 

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you start seeing employer's health plans changing. I don't know how companies can afford to offer health care to its employees. The rates go up for companies as well.

[Samiam]

All state BCBS's are independents, not the same company. They are like franchises's. They follow a set of rules, and have to meet certain criteria to keep their BCBS title, but each one is run by a seperate company. So they won't all raise rates, or even have the same rules (I worked for BCBSFL for several years).

 

That being said, MOST insurance companies are raising rates...for a multitude of reasons all boiling down to a flawed system.

[Nestof3]

Did you just have your rate jacked up drastically?

I just got an automated phone message from Blue Shield reminding me to look in the latest mailing of plan updates.

Surprise!! :party::cursing: The "update" is a new price.

 

$2,903.80 per month!

 

:svengo:

 

Wow -- that is insanely high. Please tell me there are some expensive health issues in your family, because I cannot imagine premiums being that high. We're talking Anthem, right?

[jonesloonybin]

Ours went up too. My husband works for the state and they got rid of the 90/10 group (this was us) and moved us to the 80/20. They raised our premium costs, raised co-pays & prescription costs too. So, we are paying more for ALOT less coverage. I realize that many are paying more than we are but it is still hard. Especially with the fact that we had a pay cut. The governor decided that EVERY state employee would take a pay cut to make up the state deficit. This is bad enough, but they did not tell us until the DAY BEFORE payday. Not any time for us to prepare. It is supposed to only be until the July paycheck, but there is talk that they like it so much that they might extend it.

 

Things are tight everywhere. In fact, we just got rid of cable yesterday. We are looking at getting rid of the land-line next.

 

Sorry to hear how much you are paying in health care. We tried to get private through BC/BS but they wanted 3,000 a month just for my DD!! And that was 3 years ago.

[Julie in CA]

Wow -- that is insanely high. Please tell me there are some expensive health issues in your family, because I cannot imagine premiums being that high. We're talking Anthem, right?

I am overweight, with mild hypertension easily controlled with medication.

A couple of my dc are also overweight (yes...we're working on it...)

No real health issues. My dd's had their tonsils out last year, ds had a wart on his hand frozen, but nothing else.

[eaglei]

Yikes! All your posts made me *thankful* for our rate increase (which is really hurting our budget). . . Ours went up $200; it used to go up an average of $50/year. The year ds was diagnosed with leukemia, it jumped by $200, and has continued to do so each year with one exception the year before he relapsed when it *only* went up just over a hundred. Our private-pay insurance is through a Farm Bureau. Wonder if that helps keep the increase around $200 and not more (and also our total cost is less than OP)??? And, as someone else posted, the 20% hurts. We cannot shop around or even look at other BCBS plans because ds is now considered uninsurable. But after reading the other responses, I am more inclined to say "Thank You, Jesus! It was *ONLY* $200!!!":001_huh:

[RoughCollie]

Our health insurance costs doubled within 2 years after health care reform (having health insurance is required by law) in Mass.

[Deidre in GA]

I will look for a job when we've finished moving, just to get health insurance. I already know several self-employed couples who have had to do that.

 

 

FYI, Starbucks' insurance cover workers who average 20 hours a week. at the present time i'm only using the dental ($13 every 2 weeks) but if i moved to the health care plan, i think it would be $65 every two weeks for family coverage. many of the workers there, myself included, have other businesses but need the Starbucks benefits. eligibility kicks in after 90 days.

[Carrie12345]

I haven't heard anything (yet) about our payments going up (maybe dh's company decided to eat it and that's why they're no longer matching 401ks?) but I AM in the middle of hoop jumping.

 

My hospital billed BC for my 6 weeks of ectopic issues, and BC "can't" pay it out until the hospital resubmits the bills properly. They had put me down as a male.

 

Turns out, BC doesn't cover gynecological surgery for men. :rolleyes:

[Nestof3]

I am overweight, with mild hypertension easily controlled with medication.

A couple of my dc are also overweight (yes...we're working on it...)

No real health issues. My dd's had their tonsils out last year, ds had a wart on his hand frozen, but nothing else.

 

Wow! I am astonished at that rate. Maybe you have had the policy for a reaaaaaly long time. Do you have a high deductible? We chose the $5,000 one and the Health Smart plan. Could you consider reapplying? We've done that before when our rates got high.

[LizzyBee]

Wow. My dh has BC/BS and his policy actually went down a few cents/month this year. I wonder what to expect when it renews in December.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

It is stories like these that have led me to believe that we need health care reform now that includes a public health care option that is available to everyone:)

 

If you care about this now is the time to express your opinion to your representatives and senators and President Obama.

 

The contact info to find your congressmen and our president:

 

http://www.house.gov

 

http://www.whitehouse.gov

 

 

:patriot:

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I forgot to include senate contact info:

 

http://www.senate.gov

 

 

:)

[BalanceSeeker]

We just got off BC because I've heard some stories about them that concerned me. We are now on United, underwritten by Golden Rule and our premiums went down $200/mo. Keeping my fingers crossed that they are a good plan.

[Julie in CA]

If you care about this now is the time to express your opinion to your representatives and senators and President Obama.

Oh, I care, alright. The difference is that I don't think the fix has been found yet. I'll be contacting representatives, asking them to explore solutions that don't involve socialism.

 

And now, I'm going to back waaaay off of this topic, so as not to violate board rules regarding politics. :leaving:

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

By Julie in Cal Oh, I care, alright. The difference is that I don't think the fix has been found yet. I'll be contacting representatives, asking them to explore solutions that don't involve socialism.

 

 

We could just let the private health insurance companies continue to gouge individuals and companies;) This is a weak attempt at a joke about insurance companies and not meant to be snarky:)

 

IMHO, offering a medicare type plan to everyone who desired it is not socialism. But I must confess, I am not well versed on it:) I love capitalism but also appreciate several "socialistic-like" things our country offers. Our country currently has several things like public libraries, police forces, armies, infrastructure, and social security that is paid with public monies. Some of these things are not perfect, but I think they are necessary:)

 

I am just worried at this point about the bottom-line being the main deciding factor when it comes to my health care.

 

Just my 2 cents:)

Edited June 11, 2009 by priscilla

[RoughCollie]

It is stories like these that have led me to believe that we need health care reform now that includes a public health care option that is available to everyone:)

 

Yup. Ted Kennedy is all for that. He's from Mass. We already have health care reform here. Our insurance bill has gone up $1500 month since it started.

 

Somehow, whenever the government is running a big program, it costs the taxpayer a whole lot more than is promised. I do not trust our government to do a good job of that. Look at what they did with social security.

[LMA]

Yup. Ted Kennedy is all for that. He's from Mass. We already have health care reform here. Our insurance bill has gone up $1500 month since it started.

 

Somehow, whenever the government is running a big program, it costs the taxpayer a whole lot more than is promised. I do not trust our government to do a good job of that. Look at what they did with social security.

 

Just to add: Here in MA, you get penalized on your taxes if you do not meet the "minimum" health insurance requirements. Many people who did not qualify for the state insurance lost their tax exemptions, which would have bought them a decent policy for the year. A place I work for part-time has a decent policy for part-timers, but I was told that it did not meet the MA requirements for health insurance. So, you can't just get any policy or you still have to pay the penalties. So, this is health care reform - just requiring you to purchase a policy if you can't be covered by the state program. That's it.

[Renee in NC]

Just to add: Here in MA, you get penalized on your taxes if you do not meet the "minimum" health insurance requirements. Many people who did not qualify for the state insurance lost their tax exemptions, which would have bought them a decent policy for the year. A place I work for part-time has a decent policy for part-timers, but I was told that it did not meet the MA requirements for health insurance. So, you can't just get any policy or you still have to pay the penalties. So, this is health care reform - just requiring you to purchase a policy if you can't be covered by the state program. That's it.

 

That would be terrible for us. Dh doesn't have benefits at his job and we couldn't afford our own policies. I imagine it is pretty frustrating!

 

ETA: It looks like there is something called "Commonwealth Care"? And exemptions for people who can't afford coverage (there is a chart with income brackets and what is considered "affordable".) How does that work in practice?

Edited June 12, 2009 by Renee in FL

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I realize Mass. health care has its problems, but that does not mean it has to be done that way:)

 

A medicare-like plan that was truly availalbe to all who wished would solve the problems experienced in Mass. IMHO:)

[asta]

I realize Mass. health care has its problems, but that does not mean it has to be done that way:)

 

A medicare-like plan that was truly availalbe to all who wished would solve the problems experienced in Mass. IMHO:)

 

I have that "medicare-like" option. It's called "health insurance for government employees". And let me tell you, it is NOTHING like the health insurance that congressmen have (even though, on the surface, it is called the same thing).

 

It looks great, until you realize that it is only accepted by "preferred providers that accept Medicare". Let me tell you, I never realized just how many docs refused to accept medicare. Pretty much the only specialists who do are either foreign (I don't have anything against foreigners, but, with the exception of a few places like Germany and Iran, a LOT of foreign medical schools simply suck), or are sympathetic to gvt. workers for one reason or another.

 

The "non preferred provider" option is so bleeding expensive, it is a real deterrent to using it.

 

Now, the "preferred" option does have decent co-pays for the majority of drugs, and, if you have supporting documentation, they will cover **** near everything. But getting that documentation can sometimes be a real chore (think: pre-authorization nightmare).

 

The concept of a national health plan that is run even remotely like Medicare or gvt. health insurance simply frightens me.

 

 

a

[TraceyS/FL]

My kids are on the Florida Insurance for Special Medical needs kids. It's been horrid trying to get some doctors sorted out - i've yet to find a dentist accepting patients.

 

Luckily, we are having to shift to a new primary, but my "major" doctors we can go back to ones we saw 2 insurance plans ago. We are then considered existing patients and able to get in "next week" instead of in September. That was a new option for me on this - before when they were going to have to go on it we were going to have to switch ALL the doctors because we lived in the wrong county.

 

But it's been a headache and i'm afraid to know how many minutes i've used on the phone the last 2.5 weeks getting 4 appointments set up (now to get referrals to those appointments from the new primary - luckily they are for a genetic disorder and it shouldn't be a problem..... i hope not anyway....).

[Kathy in MD]

I have that "medicare-like" option. It's called "health insurance for government employees". And let me tell you, it is NOTHING like the health insurance that congressmen have (even though, on the surface, it is called the same thing).

 

It looks great, until you realize that it is only accepted by "preferred providers that accept Medicare". Let me tell you, I never realized just how many docs refused to accept medicare. Pretty much the only specialists who do are either foreign (I don't have anything against foreigners, but, with the exception of a few places like Germany and Iran, a LOT of foreign medical schools simply suck), or are sympathetic to gvt. workers for one reason or another.

 

The "non preferred provider" option is so bleeding expensive, it is a real deterrent to using it.

 

Now, the "preferred" option does have decent co-pays for the majority of drugs, and, if you have supporting documentation, they will cover **** near everything. But getting that documentation can sometimes be a real chore (think: pre-authorization nightmare).

 

The concept of a national health plan that is run even remotely like Medicare or gvt. health insurance simply frightens me.

 

 

a

 

Are you talking about federal employees? Or state and local?

 

If it's federal, which insurance program are you on? My dh has been in two different federal health insurance programs, and neither one was anything like what you're describing.

[Renee in NC]

Are you talking about federal employees? Or state and local?

 

If it's federal, which insurance program are you on? My dh has been in two different federal health insurance programs, and neither one was anything like what you're describing.

 

My Dad works for a city gov't and has GREAT benefits cheap!

 

And we were on TriCare through the military years ago and it was fine.