Blue Cross cancels policies that North Carolina same-sex couples bought under Affordable Care Act

[Redfairen]

Source: Charlotte Observer

Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the state’s biggest health insurer, has systematically canceled family insurance policies it sold last month to gay and lesbian couples in North Carolina under the Affordable Care Act.

The insurer canceled policies of 20 couples – some who were legally married in states that recognize gay marriage – and encouraged them to reapply for separate insurance policies as unmarried individuals. The couples received calls from Blue Cross in mid-January, several weeks after they purchased their family health insurance, and were told their family coverage was invalid.

Blue Cross’ strategy has stung same-sex couples and gay-rights advocates because the nonprofit insurer offers domestic partner benefits to its own employees. Blue Cross insurance plans offered by large companies in North Carolina also include health benefits for employees and their same-sex partner.

“I was so taken aback by it; I was speechless,” said Al Hinman, who moved with his husband to Durham from New York last year. “It was wrong, and it shouldn’t have happened that way. For 24 years we’ve been on the same insurance with a few gaps.”



Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/01/24/4637930/blue-cross-cancels-policies-that.html

[Hissyspit]

1. Blue Cross in NC is garbage.

And they're the only one participating in the Exchange.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

3. That makes it an even dumber PR move....

They just opened themselves up to being associated with Putin.

[Cha]

8. "It's Putin.."

[Spitfire of ATJ]

2. Let me guess,...they are terrified of the local reaction since it's a "Red State"....

They didn't get the memo from Obama that this is the United States of America.

[valerief]

16. No, to some Americans, they believe this is the Jesus States of America. nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

20. There are some that believe America has to be "perfect" or Jesus won't come back....

"Perfect" being defined as "everybody is a God Fearing WHITE Reaganite".

[kardonb]

21. BCBS

more likelt . they have been lobbied and payed off by the repuke party thats stuck in the dark ages .

[uppityperson]

4. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[awoke_in_2003]

23. I love the sig line, uppity...

it is much catchier than mine

[davidpdx]

5. I agree it makes no sense

My first wife worked for BCBS in Oregon and before we were married I was added to her insurance policy.

It would be interesting to find out if BCBS is doing this in other states or if this is an isolated incidence.

[stg81]

6. assholes

[lib87]

7. Oh Come on!

Blue Cross’ strategy has stung same-sex couples and gay-rights advocates because the nonprofit insurer offers domestic partner benefits to its own employees.

But why...sigh.

BCBS' attempt to attain more money from customers is disgusting.

[ReRe]

9. Shut NC BCBS down!

Either that or the state needs to get universal health care. I know, fat chance on either one of those ideas. They need to contact the ACA people and tell them what happened pronto. If ACA can't find another insurer for those couples & their families, then scream to high effing heaven. Call Rachel, STAT!!!

[yeoman6987]

11. North Carolina does not recognize gay marriages

I believe they need to sue the federal government over this so at least the Supreme Court can rule on this. It is going to be a problem for many gay couples moving to states that do not recognize gay marriage. They might as well get this settled pronto. The Supreme Court can make the states recognize all gay marriages in all 50 states. That is really the best option to help all current and future gay couples moving to states that don't recognize gay marriage.

[RKP5637]

27. Exactly, this current mess is absolutely ridiculous. It is creating a nightmare not

only for gay couples, but also the infrastructure for administration of work benefits, insurance, taxes and a host of problems/inconsistencies. Also, we need to get back to what equality means in the US. I had thought it meant for all.

[DRoseDARs]

10. Selective quotation is selective and deceptive...

BCBS didn't do this by choice, they were legally bound and probably in other states too. The very next 3 paragraphs you decided to not post:

"The problem is traced to boilerplate terminology in Blue Cross policies that define “spouse” as “opposite sex.” North Carolina insurance law does not prohibit selling coverage to homosexual couples, but Blue Cross was legally bound by the restrictive contract language in its individual plans, said Kerry Hall, spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Insurance.

There could be similar language embedded in insurance small print in other states, but North Carolina is the only state where cancellations of same-sex customers have surfaced so far, said Brian Moulton, legal director for Human Rights Campaign, a national gay-rights organization in Washington, D.C.

Blue Cross has vowed to update the archaic language in 2015. The company says it plans next year to offer the same insurance options to same-sex married couples and couples in domestic partnerships that are offered to everyone else."

[Bluenorthwest]

14. And who wrote that archaiac language and who failed to update it for a mandated law?

BCBS. God did not write that language, the Company wrote it, then they left it in place knowing full well this would be the result. Boilerplate does not mean 'that which our lawyers carefully crafted, checked and rechecked'.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

17. They need to change their fucking language,

not the policies they ALREADY FUCKING TOOK MONEY ON!

[aquart]

24. Rewrite the boilerplate. Now. Send out tiny stickers.

What bloody flaming nonsense.

[jwirr]

12. Looks like this could be a place where all of us could make a difference or at least those all

across the US who have BC/BS. Cancel them and go to another insurance company. I do not have this policy but I would not select it even if asked.

[Bluenorthwest]

13. The Insurance Companies are the problem. Obama insisted on no public option

and this is what we get. Obama refused to advocate for it as he promised as candidate. "Any bill I sign must contain a strong public option."

[blkmusclmachine]

26. BHO did more that "insist on no public option." Hell, he actively WORKED AGAINST IT!

His phony campaign lies notwithstanding.

[TDale313]

28. I have to tell ya,

Personally, any time anyone goes to the BHO thing, I find it kinda hard to process any other points they're trying to make. #dogwhistle.

[HockeyMom]

15. What if you live in a state that does recognize gay marriage

and are traveling in a state that bans it, does that mean that your insurance won't cover your medical expenses in these states?

[CatholicEdHead]

19. They should, it should only come down to in/out of network costs

if you are traveling. Your home address would be in a state that recognizes gay marriage, this NC case is from couples actually living in NC.

[Politicub]

18. Disgusting, naked homophobia and discrimination

Glad I switched from Blue Cross last year.

My home state has been flushed down the toilet on so many levels.

[libnnc]

22. I'm keeping a CLOSE eye on this

I'm on my wife's BCBS policy. She's a retired federal employee and has a BCBS Federal employee policy which is different than a regular policy.

Haven't received any flak yet but I'm just waiting...

[Jesus Malverde]

29. Disgusting....