General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsACA-Not going through Exchanges
My middle child is still in law school and just turned 26 a couple of months ago. She had been on my policy at my firm and we started looking for coverage. In addition, my youngest child is on my policy but now I am paying $590 a month for family coverage for one dependent. One of my friends from my congregation's men service club is an insurance agent and h e found a policy for my daughters. He found some policies from blue cross and we applied only to have both kids turned down due to pre-existing health issues (this did not matter for the youngest child and the middle child is getting on the law school policy). Today, he sent me a link through his firm for a Blue Cross Silver PPO plan that is at a good rate. I can cover both daughters for less than I am paying for one. This is an exchange type policy that is silver level for the exchanges. The rates for this policy is $10 higher per month than the rate quoted for the non-ACA policy.
Anyone who is going through the exchanges can also talk to insurance agents. I do not feel bad about not going through the exchange given that I am getting an exchange qualified plan that is under the ACA
Bandit
(21,475 posts)At least now we are able to look around and compare rates...Couldn't do that a year ago.
hedda_foil
(16,371 posts)Do you (or law school kid) qualify for a partial subsidy under the exchange and, if so, will you still get the subsidised rate even though you're applying through an insurance agent?
Gothmog
(145,046 posts)I doubt that I qualify but my child may well qualify. She is in Iowa and they evidently have a screwed up exchange according to her classmates
I had checked with the folks at healthcare.gov in Sept and they specifically told me that those who have private insurance will not get the subsidies- those will only apply to policies thru the exchanges.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)Gothmog
(145,046 posts)The agent is question is a friend but I know that he will be getting a commission here. The key thing to me is that the price per month is similar to the price that I was quoted before the ACA. Again both daughters were rejected by Blue Cross due to pre-existing issues but effective January 1, I will be able to insure both for less than it costs me for dependent coverage on my firm policy
sobenji
(316 posts)But yes, it's all about choices.
All health insurance policies being sold exchange or off exchange must be ACA compliant. The exceptions are limited term policies, short-term, specific illness, vision, and dental.