Blue Shield Bronze 60 PPO ...

[Auggie]

want "cheap" health insurance for two (60 yrs old)?

Get ready to fork over over $2,199.79 a month.

That's my quote from Blue Shield California.

(Last year was $1,850.00)

[Ohiogal]

1. Obscene!

[Auggie]

4. Totally. That's more than my house payment, property taxes and home insurance combined ...

all so HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY PROFITS can be GUARANTEED

[leftieNanner]

2. WOW!

I went on Medicare this year, but last year, my insurance was just under $1,000 per month for a plan that didn't pay much.

The thing that surprised me is that Medicare costs me almost $500 per month! With regular medicare, a supplemental plan, and a drug plan. I was under the very mistaken understanding that since we had paid into Medicare for all of our lives, it was free. HAHAHA not.

[SHRED]

3. We need a single payer system here in California

[BigmanPigman]

5. Shit...that is why I am procrastinating renewing my Blue Shield of CA.

I know it will be bad but just how bad is the question. I pay more for health insur than my home and car payments combined. I guess I can cut out movies, haircuts, new clothes and shoes, household repairs, trips, , eating out ever, etc. No wait, I ALREADY am and have been doing this for 5 years. FIX THIS PROBLEM!!!

Medicine may have advanced to allow us to live longer but no one can afford to live longer. No wonder suicides are up.

[Auggie]

7. Some suggestions ...

In my area there is an HMO alternative called Western Health Advantage. It's about $550.00 less expensive than Blue Shield and has a good doctor I know in it's network. You might have the same option -- it's not perfect, it's still expensive, but you save a little and you're still covered.

Next: Call you rep in the Assembly and the Senate and voice your displeasure. Tell them you'd pay more in taxes for a single payer or public option. I did yesterday.

The best advice? Do anything you can to qualify for the subsidy.

When the idea of the ACA was first floated, one of the early criticisms of it was called "The Disincentive to Work" -- meaning, if people were nearing an amount of income that would un-qualify them for the subsidy, they would stop working in order to keep their income low.

If you're in the gig economy this might be the way to go. Meet with a tax adviser to discuss strategies that would reduce your adjusted gross income. Pay a little now, save a lot later.

[BigmanPigman]

8. I get tax credit so a lot of companies won't take that.

I had United for 2 years then they stopped accepting the tax credits and had to go to more expensive Blue Shield. Since I have a thousand pre-existing conditions, one which is going to kill me, I need my specific doctors/specialists. It is a good thing I will die fairly soon since I can't afford to live and be sick while not working.

I have called the state reps over and over for years. Before the ACA I had to pay $15,000 a year while I taught school part time (due to constantly being sick) since I couldn't even get ANY insur company to take me (not even through AARP). I had to pay for it through my school district insur plan and it was more than what I earned. This is ridiculous!

I called all the US senators several times each, begging them not to take the ACA away from me. This system sucks! Hillary wanted Universal jealthcare over 20 years ago but the GOP is thrilled to kill and bankrupt people at the same time so they can get richer.

[Auggie]

9. I'm sincerly sorry it's been so challenging for you

[BigmanPigman]

10. The thing is that when you are sick the last thing you

want to deal with is insurance companies since it is so confusing and constantly changing and stressful. I have spent at least 6 months (total combined time)working on insurance plans over the years...what a nightmare.

[3Hotdogs]

6. How many people are deciding to "go bare" and take the gamble?