I Feel for my Off-exchange Clients who Will Be Hit on Their Renewal

[saintstigers]

Louisiana health insurers request rate hikes in 2016 | NOLA.com

I'll be getting some angry off-exchange clients calling later this year. Can't see how they can continue to absorb these big rate increases year over year.

I'm currently paying $1565/month for my family (non-HIX) on a Blue Saver PPO high deductible plan. My rate increase will be about 20%. I really don't want to have to go to an HMO. But it seems like the Blues in my market is pushing everyone to their limited network HMO plans with their rates.

 

[Ann H]

Is your state's BCBS still offering a PPO option in 2016? BCBS has canned PPO in some states.

 

[russelltw]

PPOs are being dropped in certain counties in my state. Biggest carrier revised rate increase from 25% to 34%.

 

[AllenChicago]

PPOs are being dropped in certain counties in my state. Biggest carrier revised rate increase from 25% to 34%.

Quite amazing to see this request revised upward...24% increase wasn't enough for BCBS-NC. I doubt if 34% will be, because a proportionately higher number of customers will cancel their plans.

Ref: Obamacare blamed by North Carolina insurer in request for 34% premium increase - Washington Times

 

[saintstigers]

Is your state's BCBS still offering a PPO option in 2016? BCBS has canned PPO in some states.

Yes they still are offering the PPO and POS.

 

[AllenChicago]

October 5, 2016

An interesting article that attempts to explain why 2.5 million people buy their health insurance Off-Exchange, even though they probably qualify for tax credits, if they purchase insurance On-Exchange.

Article: HHS: Up to 2.5 million off-marketplace consumers eligible for ACA tax credits | Healthcare Dive

 

[taterpeeler]

I will tell you the reason they do it... they hate obama and their agents refuse to certify and sell on exchange... they should eliminate all off exchange plans and that gets rid of a ton of agents.

 

[kgmom219]

I will tell you the reason they do it... they hate obama and their agents refuse to certify and sell on exchange... they should eliminate all off exchange plans and that gets rid of a ton of agents.

That's almost criminally negligent.

I got a call from a woman today. 62. Semi-retired, but doesn't need a lot of cash, because everything is paid for. Thinks this year her MAGI will be around $20K. She's paying $1300 for a low deductible plan with copays. Off Exchange. Plan is available On Exchange.

She's been Off Ex for 3 years. Same broker. Same income. She kept asking "why don't I get a subsidy?" and never got a straight answer from the current broker.

Agents who refuse to write On Exchange business and then do the wrong thing for their clients for their own personal gain need to be gone.

 

[AllenChicago]

I will tell you the reason they do it... they hate obama and their agents refuse to certify and sell on exchange... they should eliminate all off exchange plans and that gets rid of a ton of agents.

Just get rid of the exchanges. The subsidy $$ can go to the carrier from Uncle Sam. Not that many carriers left.

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That's almost criminally negligent.

She's been Off Ex for 3 years. Same broker. Same income. She kept asking "why don't I get a subsidy?" and never got a straight answer from the current broker.

The lack of initiative of some people, in this day/age of phones that will tell you almost anything, just by asking with your voice...

A client called me today from her I-PHONE, to get the BCBS-IL phone number. duh.

 

[scagnt83]

Short Term Policy if no pre-x. Ive been forced into one.

Change you can believe in.....