I am licensed in L & H in Michigan but don't work in the industry but am thinking of getting into the business.
I got a letter from BCBSM today informing me they are increasing my premium 32.14% which will put my individual premium up to $609 a month!
I have pre-existing conditions and need my insurance but cannot afford this hefty increase, anyone here from MI that can recommend a good company that may be a good alternative?
BCBSM has various programs but big deducts and co-pays.
And OOP's.
I had a old grandfathered policy that they don't even offer anymore.
Thank you for the reply's, I have a colorful health history. Numerous knee operations from football years ago, struck by a school bus that drove off the road and hit me while I was raking leaves years ago, that resulted in heart surgery and numerous broken bones and internal injuries.
High cholesterol and high blood pressure, family history of heart disease, (under control with medication and diet).
Intermittent Atrial fibrillation (under control with medication).
I am in otherwise good health, stay active and exercise. Don't smoke, drink rarely, and am in the normal weight range. I have not had a hospital occurrence in 10 years and see the MD twice a year.
I hate entitlements and Obamacare, but this premium is more than my house payment. I am self-employed and work on commission only and times are tight in Michigan (as elsewhere in the country) now.
I am divorced so I don't have the option of spouse.
So I am stuck with them? Are there any other carriers out there that would take me with the above mentioned?
The plans they offer me are the one I am still in at $600+ a month other plans at $200-$500 a month with big deducts and OOP's.
So the A-fib is my big problem? It is not surprising people are crying uncle under this system.
I cannot consciously support government run health care but I am seeing why people are demanding reform.
What are people doing that have really bad pre-existing conditions?
Unless you get a job with group benefits or want an AIM type product, you got one heck of a deal.
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Mark
"Corner Bar"---Independent Agent Anthem
My credit score's fallen like the New York Mets
There ain't a debt collector that ain't called yet
They say, "Money don't talk, it only swears"
And got me cussing in my underwear
Unless you get a job with group benefits or want an AIM type product, you got one heck of a deal.
YGMM, do they not have BCBS in FL?
Please explain AIM type product, most month's I can pay the $600 but there are month's I can't.
I go 60 days without paying and I will have nothing, there are no jobs here with good pay and benefits that meet my education and skills level. I cannot move until my mid 80 year old parents are no longer here. I take care of them on weekends.
Not whining here, just looking at options that may be out there. There is no way I will ever be happy about paying $600 a month for something I rarely use but need.
Go to a high ded plan, protect your self for the big stuff, the rates in Michigan went up because they take everyone, no matter how sick, BCBS of MI lost 112 million last year on their ID biz, State law says a Non-profit can't do that, call action Benefits they will help you change your plan
A-fib isn't the problem per se. Treating it implies other issues.
Add in cholesterol & BP and you have a cocktail for potential problems.
Any issue involving the heart is potentially expensive to treat. No reason to expect carriers to take on that kind of risk if they don't have to.
Of course Obamacare will address all that . . . and the result will be at least a doubling of existing premiums. So if/when that happens prepare to pay $1200 or so for the coverage you have now.
Can you move from your current plan to a higher deductible version of the same plan?
No, the plan I have is one they don't offer anymore. I keep it at at the increased price or change to lesser coverage, lesser expensive individual policy.
BC/BS has a guarantee issued product in MI, but you will pay for it, or have to go with higher deductible.
You should really think about switching in my opinion if possible, of course only to another major medical plan. The reason I say that is from my experience when you have a plan that is no longer offered and the premiums start to really increase it will just keep getting worse.
The carrier cannot raise rates on your individual health, but if you are on a plan that continues to have member erosion then the only ones still on it are going to be those with health issues, raising the rates drastically.
The BC/BS plan may not be the cheapest out there, but it is a current plan so new members are going into the balance out the risk load.
32 % Increase!
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