Individual Family Plans - The 2013 to 2014 Transition.

[AllenChicago]

Just taking a "jab" Allen. I've always done this method, even pre-obamacare, for any client I am rolling over to new carrier.

It really paid off a few months ago, a good friend that I rolled from UHC to Assurant, within a week and before the new Assurant effective date, his son had appendectomy and hit 10k HSA deductible, thank god he still had ability to pay and keep his UHC policy.

With replacements, moving the current policy off of bank draft is smart when you know what the landscape will be like. Before this latest mess, I used to do the same thing in replacement situations.

If I had done that with these 12 BCBS-IL clients, and Blue Cross decided to extend them another 12 months, they'd have to call BCBS-IL to resume bank drafting AND call Aetna/UHC/Humana to cancel the newly approved policy.

Immediately after President Obama's November 14th authorization, BCBS-IL said that it would consider extending current plans an additional 12 months, instead of cancelling them on 12/31/2013. My God..it's been 14 days since then. You'd think that the morons running our BCBS-IL would have come up with a plan of action by now! TaterPeeler compelled his BCBS-TX (our sister company under the same HCSCorp) to give all policyholders extensions until their 2014 anniversary date, long before President Obama encouraged it.

The last thing I want to have happen now is for these BCBS-IL clients to call Aetna/UHC/Humana, cancel those newly approved plans within the 10 day free-look and have Blue Cross suddenly decide that it's not going to continue existing plans into 2014. That's why I'll wait up to December 4th, before advising this.

Believe it or not, I'm the most knowledgeable agent at our 52 guy/gal agency. (no wise cracks!) That's why I'm so THANKFUL for this forum and for contributors like YAgents...who know far more than me, and are more than willing to SHARE!
-ac

 

[Ann H]

Don't short yourself, AllenChicago. You're on my top list of posters, because you post newsworthy, well-researched facts. I read everything you write, and your input has been a treasure-trove for me. It causes me anxiety when I see my friends Y, TP, and AC take jabs at each other, but I have to remember this a boy's club!

 

[AllenChicago]

Don't short yourself, AllenChicago. You're on my top list of posters, because you post newsworthy, well-researched facts. I read everything you write, and your input has been a treasure-trove for me. It causes me anxiety when I see my friends Y, TP, and AC take jabs at each other, but I have to remember this a boy's club!

Don't fret Ann, We JAB each other in the spirit of holiday love. And thanks for the vote of confidence. That Means a lot coming from someone of such sterling character!

BTW..Just got word that BCBS-IL is cancelling the cancellation of all individual non-gf Illinois policies that was to occur on 12/31/2013. They can now keep them for another year..but at a higher price, which is to be determined. Lots of hard work down the drain over the past 30 days, converting BCBS-IL clients to other carriers that weren't gung-ho Obama crony minions like BCBS.

Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to allow renewal of existing health plans in 2014 - chicagotribune.com
-ac

 

[rugerred]

Don't fret Ann, We JAB each other in the spirit of holiday love. And thanks for the vote of confidence. That Means a lot coming from someone of such sterling character!

BTW..Just got word that BCBS-IL is cancelling the cancellation of all individual non-gf Illinois policies that was to occur on 12/31/2013. They can now keep them for another year..but at a higher price, which is to be determined. Lots of hard work down the drain over the past 30 days, converting BCBS-IL clients to other carriers that weren't gung-ho Obama crony minions like BCBS.

Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to allow renewal of existing health plans in 2014 - chicagotribune.com
-ac

At rates to be determined, seems like a bad idea. How many are just going to stick with the new plan? I have found most of my clients will accept the unknown with everything but price.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy

 

[AllenChicago]

Remember when the President announced on Nov 14th that insurers had to send a letter to all their delusional customers who (gasp!) want to keep what they've got, instead doing the smart thing by purchasing an ObamaCare policy?

I've attached a copy of that letter (.pdf) to this post. The wording is typical, technical, illogical, government-speak.

Wasted words that most recipients won't understand, or care to understand. But this is yet another paperwork expense that insurers have to squeeze into their slim, government-regulated administrative budgets.
ac

 

[aschwiem1]

Same applies for Florida bcbs. We are also still offering underwritten policies until the 15th of this month.

 

[AllenChicago]

The government is stocking up on V.E.S. systems at an inflated price.

Story: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/01/14/report-government-spent-millions-on-*****-pumps-paid-double-retail-price/

Under the ACA, are these things considered therapy for a condition (subject to deductible), or wellness devices (100% free) to prevent a condition?
ac

 

[somarco]

AC, your link went limp and did not work. Try this one.

Mine works just fine.

high prices have been a common problem for durable medical equipment like the erection assistance devices.

“Anytime that Medicare pays twice as much for any piece of equipment or any item for which it provides coverage, then taxpayers should be concerned,” he said.

This addresses DME without regard to medical necessity with exception of this closing comment.

As for the inevitable eyebrow raising over the government paying for this equipment, Medicare has long covered similar medical supplies like Viagra, Mr. Schatz said, noting it’s difficult for people not suffering from the condition to judge whether or not the government should help pay for it. Either way, it’s a separate debate from the waste it is currently causing.

 

[RayNY]

"inflated price"

You're a funny one AC.

Can't wait to see all the abuse and waste now that tens of millions more people are in gov't care. It's much easier to get this stuff provided for free when you get the access for free as well, and can get a group of covered citizens to make a stink at the capital. They're entitled to the care, so they have no problem making the argument that they're entitled to additional services under that free care.

IMO, nothing "fun" should be covered, things like these pumps and those pills to make your soldier stand at attention are not what tax dollars should be going to. I'd never consider limiting access something life saving or illness preventing, but this is neither. It's purely a convenience and fun item, it's costly, it's known(especially the pills) to have many side effects, and there is no medical necessity. Use the money you save not buying insurance to buy your own bedroom toys.