My health insurance went up

[left-of-center2012]

I just got books from Blue Cross/Blue Shield with info for my coverage for 2017.

I have five specialists. In 2015 I paid $20 each time I went to see a specialist.
This year it went up to $40 a visit; and next year, 2017, it will be $50 a visit.

If I am hospitalized, currently I would pay $195 each day 1 through 5, but in 2017 I will pay $325 each day 1 through 5 (6 through 90 days doesn’t change ~ zero pay).

They are also dropping CVS pharmacy, so I’ll have to go to a different pharmacy.

Co-pays on my medications are also going up.

I may change to another plan, but that might entail changing all my doctors.

[missingthebigdog]

1. What is your maximum out of pocket?

Did you reach your maximum this year?

[Nye Bevan]

2. Do they offer a mail order pharmacy?

That's usually cheaper, you can get a 3 month supply for your regular medications, shipping is usually free, and it's a pleasure not to have to go to the drugstore, park, and stand in line.

[virgogal]

9. I just gave up Express-Scripts and went back to my pharmacy.

E-S is one of the most inefficient companies I have ever dealt with.

I do 3 months supply at the pharmacy so there is little inconvenience-----price practically the same.

[peabody]

3. Our company just dropped our Blue Shield plan.

We've been with them for several years, but our company decided to drop them and go with United Healthcare because BlueShield's cost skyrocketed. Now, I'm actually paying a bit less than when I was with BlueShield and my deductable and out-of-pocket costs are less too. Check into other plans to see if you can get a better deal than what BlueShield is offering, and in most cases (but I don't know this for sure) doctors will take both.

[meadowlark5]

4. All of our insurance is going up

Home owner's insurance went up by about $200 this year (and has been for the last couple of years) no claims.

Car insurance when up by $145 per year (no claims, no tickets)

Health insurance will be increasing by about 6% (spouse federal employee)

We have additional dental insurance for the kids' orthodontics and must carry that insurance till they are out of braces and I haven't seen the policy info, but I'll bet dollars to donuts that's going up too.

[Sherman A1]

5. Same here

Had Safeco for Home & Auto it went up about 17% with no claims. I called the broker and he got me a better deal with Travellers and I am saving about $200 over both policies. It's gotten to be such a game.

[meadowlark5]

6. It is a game and it's a game of bait and switch

I can't tell you how many times I've switched insurance companies for home and auto for a better rate. I get in for the first year and with affordable rates and then, just like with this insurance and previous insurers, they start jacking my rates up every year to offset that nice teaser rate they gave me for the first year. I've had my home owners insurance go up over $800 in 3yrs time, after that affordable teaser premium the first year

[Blue Idaho]

7. Man that sucks!

I'm sorry to hear that BC/BS is up to their old tricks again with your policy. I am lucky, my College helps pay for my insurance. Over the years we have bounced all over the place: Group Health, BC/BS, United Health... you name it. FWIW, my experience with United Health was great. Same Docs, reduced co-pays, and good customer service. So they can be a good provider.

I wish you well - in the long run, we need a Democratic Congress to work with a Democratic President to iron out the remaining issues with Obamacare. That won't help you much right now - but like all new programs, there is still work to be done.

Best of luck!

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. We need Medicare for all.

It is big enough to negotiate prices.
very affordable treatment as a result, 20% co-pay after 165.00 deductible, low premiums, for most of the people on it, higher costs for people who earn a LOT of money.

[Blue Idaho]

13. Absolutely!

Also give Medicare the ability to negotiate drug prices like the VA.

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. The problem why that won't happen is

Medicare D is private insurance companies, unlike Medicare A and B, which can and does contract a fixed price.

to tell the truth, I am seriously amazed ( but happy) that our hospital and the community docs DO take Medicare, cause I have seen what they are paid.

[Runningdawg]

8. OP I don't know where you live

but we have BCBS in OK. For the last 4-5 years the co-pay for seeing a specialist was $60 and we are told it might soon double. It might not seem like it now, but consider yourself lucky your co-pay is currently only $40.

[tonyt53]

10. Notice how so many insurance companies are raising rates and/or dropping from some exchanges.

It isn't by chance this is happening all at once. There is collusion occurring between the insurance companies, whether they actually talk about it or not. By the ACA, insurance companies are restricted to 18% profit each year. But they do not report that profit completely until about six months after their fiscal year ends. Lots of these will be lowering their rates after that. They are playing a game called profit at all costs.

[Mika]

11. Bill Clinton is right. It's a crazy system we have. eom

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

14. I can't afford insurance

My wife is in chemo and must have it. We're paying $700/month now and I expect it will be $800 next year.

Check goodrx.com for best Rx prices. Healthwarehouse.com is very good.

[ErikJ]

15. Just quit your job

Then youll be OK for Medicaid.

[left-of-center2012]

16. "Just quit your job. Then youll be OK for Medicaid."

I'm 70 and retired.
And my Social Security is too high for Medicaid.