Monday, November 4, 2013

You can keep your doctor? Guess again.

The train wreck continues.  A cancer patient pens a rather poignant account of his experience in trying to obtain health insurance in the Wall Street Journal today:

Everyone now is clamoring about Affordable Care Act winners and losers. I am one of the losers.

My grievance is not political; all my energies are directed to enjoying life and staying alive, and I have no time for politics. For almost seven years I have fought and survived stage-4 gallbladder cancer, with a five-year survival rate of less than 2% after diagnosis. I am a determined fighter and extremely lucky. But this luck may have just run out: My affordable, lifesaving medical insurance policy has been canceled effective Dec. 31.

My choice is to get coverage through the government health exchange and lose access to my cancer doctors, or pay much more for insurance outside the exchange (the quotes average 40% to 50% more) for the privilege of starting over with an unfamiliar insurance company and impaired benefits.

Countless hours searching for non-exchange plans have uncovered nothing that compares well with my existing coverage. But the greatest source of frustration is Covered California, the state's Affordable Care Act health-insurance exchange and, by some reports, one of the best such exchanges in the country. After four weeks of researching plans on the website, talking directly to government exchange counselors, insurance companies and medical providers, my insurance broker and I are as confused as ever. Time is running out and we still don't have a clue how to best proceed.

Two things have been essential in my fight to survive stage-4 cancer. The first are doctors and health teams in California and Texas: at the medical center of the University of California, San Diego, and its Moores Cancer Center; Stanford University's Cancer Institute; and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

The second element essential to my fight is a United Healthcare PPO (preferred provider organization) health-insurance policy.

Since March 2007 United Healthcare has paid $1.2 million to help keep me alive, and it has never once questioned any treatment or procedure recommended by my medical team. The company pays a fair price to the doctors and hospitals, on time, and is responsive to the emergency treatment requirements of late-stage cancer. Its caring people in the claims office have been readily available to talk to me and my providers.

But in January, United Healthcare sent me a letter announcing that they were pulling out of the individual California market. The company suggested I look to Covered California starting in October.... Rest of the essay

Read the rest. He's just one of the 15 million. The ones who Jay Carney says don't count.

18 comments:

Heil President Epic Fail said...

Washington Post: Sticker Shock Leads to Anger

Americans who face higher ­insurance costs under President [Economic Disaster] Obama’s health-care law are angrily complaining about “sticker shock,” threatening to become a new political force opposing the law even as the White House struggles to convince other consumers that they will benefit from it.
.....
After receiving a letter from her insurer that her plan was being discontinued, Deborah Persico, a 58-year-old lawyer in the District, found a comparable plan on the city’s new health insurance exchange. But her monthly premium, now $297, would be $165 higher, and her maximum out-of-pocket costs would double.

That means she could end up paying at least $5,000 more a year than she does now. “That’s just not fair,” said Persico, who represents indigent criminal defendants. “This is ridiculous.”

If the poor, sick and uninsured are the winners under the Affordable Care Act, the losers appear to include some relatively healthy middle-income small-business owners, consultants, lawyers and other self-employed workers who buy their own insurance. Many make too much to qualify for new federal subsidies provided by the law but not enough to absorb the rising costs without hardship.

Anonymous said...

Now where are all those folks who were making fun of the 'death panels'.

I guess its not so damn funny when it happens to you.

Heil President Epic Fail said...

CBS News: The Deceit of President Liar Grows

CBS News is learning the Obama administration knew of the risks associated with the Obamacare rollout well before last month.

Three years ago, a trusted Obama health care adviser warned the White House it was losing control of Obamacare. A memo obtained by CBS News said strong leadership was missing and the law's successful implementation was in jeopardy. The warnings were specific and dire -- and ignored.

David Cutler, who worked on the Obama 2008 campaign and was a valued outside health care consultant wrote this blunt memo to top White House economic adviser Larry Summers in May 2010: "I do not believe the relevant members of the administration understand the president's vision or have the capability to carry it out."

Cutler wrote no one was in charge who had any experience in complex business start-ups. He also worried basic regulations, technology and policy coordination would fail.
.....
The White House dismissed these and other warnings.

Anonymous said...

Hmmm.....didn't California vote overwhelmingly for Obama?? Well, you asked for it; you got it.

Anonymous said...

“Blue Cross Blue Shield, which has been partnering with the White House on Obamacare implementation, admitted that people would lose their existing health insurance plans under Obamacare, despite the president’s claim to the contrary.”

http://dailycaller.com/2013/11/04/insurance-company-partnering-with-white-house-on-obamacare-said-people-might-lose-insurance-plans/

Anonymous said...

http://m.washingtonpost.com/politics/challenges-have-dogged-obamas-health-plan-since-2010/2013/11/02/453fba42-426b-11e3-a624-41d661b0bb78_story.html

ALERT Re: President Compulsive Liar said...

The Liar-In-Chief Knew of his lying in 2010

During a White House meeting with President Obama in February 2010, then-House Minority Whip Eric Cantor challenged the President directly about his repeated claims that Americans would be able to keep their existing insurance plans if they desired. The President’s response was that they were not being forced to change, but that they would do so voluntarily in order to get a “better deal.”

“The eight to nine million Americans that you refer that might have to change their health insurance—keep in mind out of the 300 million Americans that we’re talking about—would be folks who the CBO—the Congressional Budget Office—estimates would find the deal in the exchange better, would be a better deal,” Obama said in response to a question from Cantor. “So yes, they would change coverage because they’ve got more choice and competition.”

Only four months later, President Obama’s administration would release the regulations, ensuring that most of the seventeen million people with individual coverage would lose their plans, whether they liked them or not.

mbrookes said...

10:22, not everyone in California or anywhere else voted for Obama. We got it anyway. Your comment was not very helpful.

Anonymous said...

These people are not receiving cancellation notices. These are simply letters informing them that they are being transitioned to better plans.

Lloyd said...

so 4:01 PM--Let's say you have a ticket on Delta to fly to Orlando. You purchased the ticket months ago and were told that nothing would change. You arrive at Jackson-Evers International and Delta puts you on a flight to NY City and tells you that you are going transition (fly) to a better destination.
You would be OK with that?

Anonymous said...

4:01 You have to remember to put a smiley face emoticon or print "/sarc off" when you post something satirical or ironic. Otherwise everyone will think you're a moron or a distal end of the digestive system who made the asinine comment seriously.

===================================
"10:22, not everyone in California or anywhere else voted for Obama. We got it anyway. "

I understand and sympathize. Let's revise this to point out instead that she is a trial lawyer, the group who made the largest amount of donations to the Obama campaign, therefore she deserves this on that basis. It's too bad we can't make John Edwards pay 100% of the cost of Obamacare for the country personally.

Better now? ;-)

Anonymous said...

The Obama cult thinks this sort of financial hit can be foisted unto taxpaying Americans and it will somehow have a positive economic impact.

Note to JFP advertisers. Your clientele will have less money to spend going forward. A lot less.

Cheers.

Confused Cone-Head said...

I had a procedure at St. D last month and just got my medicare 'summary analysis' by postal delivery. The list of 'services provided' was four pages long, an itemization, if you will. Amazing that procedures ranged from over a thousand to as low as $40 with Medicare approvals ranging from $220 down to as low as $4.

So, who's getting screwed here? The patient who is expected to pay a thousand or the hospital who gets reimbursed $4?

Anonymous said...

Or, Confused-Cone Head, is it we taxpayers that are working hard day, night and week-ends at two jobs in order to pay for your Medicare while we try to provide our own families with insurance coverage?

Anonymous said...

And keep in mind, the individual mandate is what we are seeing now, with close to 3 million cancellations.

Oct 2014 is the employer mandate.

What's happening right now is simply Part 1.

Anonymous said...

If anyone in MS has blue cross, the form letters are being sent out today. This is what it says for those policies through your employer:

“The renewal premium for your Health and Wellness Benefit Plan is impacted by the age and gender of your covered employees, healthcare cost trend, and changes in your Workers' Compensation coverage. The healthcare cost trend reflects your renewal period through December 31, 2014. Your premium also includes mandated assessments to support the Mississippi Comprehensive Health Insurance Risk Pool Association and federal programs such as Health Information Technology (HIT) and Comparative Effectiveness Research studies as required by the Healthcare Reform law. Beginning January 1, 2014, the Healthcare Reform law requires additional taxes and fees. These new taxes and fees include the Health Insurance Providers Fee (i.e., health insurance issuer tax) and the Transitional Reinsurance Program Fee, which is a fee to support health insurance issuers that cover individuals with high-cost health conditions”

Percentage increase for "change in group characteristics, age and gender of covred members"

Percentage increase for "healthcare reform taxes and fees"

Percentage increase for "Healthcare Cost Trend"

Percentage increase for "Mississippi Risk Pool PCPM Fee"

Anonymous said...

Also on the blue cross renewal:
“…we have made a change to your benefit plan to minimize the premium impact of the January 1, 2014 PPACA requirements. Your Renewal Date and Plan Year are now December 31, 2013, and your renewal period will continue until December 31, 2014. By making this change, we are minimizing some of the components of the law’s impact on your premiums in 2014, such as delaying the following until January 1, 2015:
-Impact of new rating rules,

-Certain benefit limitations, such as the cap on medical deductibles (i.e., $2,000 for employees and $4,000 for family coverage), restrictions on probationary periods and PPACA maximum out-of-pocket, and

-Expansion of additional benefits, including Essential Health Benefits.”

Pugnacious said...

MAD magazine finds similarities between Grand Theft Auto V and Obamacare.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.