I have an idea for your group, hope it meets your SOP

[steve2470]

A stickied thread with FAQ's on how to navigate the ACA and the American health care system. I was going to ask Skinner, also.

Feedback ? Thanks.

[Warpy]

1. The problem is that all states have different systems, which range from better than the Feds

to not working at all, depending on how much power insurance wields in that state.

A general outline would be nice. There will be open enrollments every year.

[uppityperson]

2. That would be a good idea. There are basics that transfer across all states, and including basic

how to manage insurance companies under ACA, what is covered, what is not, etc, would be good.

First rule is don't assume anything.

[mopinko]

3. sounds like a great idea.

can we all share the ins and outs that we have been through?

here's mine- my daughter is on disability. she was on medicaid, but it was limited because she was still on our policy. but in illinois there basically is no medicaid, just subsidies on the exchange.
so she now gets a better policy that covers a lot of things that ours doesn't- like vision care.
it will cover many of the co-pays that we now cover for her. she has large prescription bills. even the co-pays add up. she is really grateful that she can be a little more independent.
she teared up a little after she signed up.
and she doesn't have to live in fear that she will age out and be stuck.

yours?

[steve2470]

4. Hmm

I don't really know anything, besides the basic normal stuff any adult should know. My plan is very good and I'm pretty healthy. My son is also.

[mopinko]

5. is your plan from an exchange?

how did it go?

[steve2470]

6. yes, it wasn't healthcare.gov though

I was one of the early victims. I got it off another exchange. I wanted to save money, but now I have to pay a much higher copay for one of my "mandatory" medications. So, I'm not really saving much money. I almost regret switching from Aetna to BCBSFlorida. Both plans are platinum level (yes I'm fortunate).

https://www.healthsherpa.com/

I think that was the exchange. Moral of the story: Drill down deep into the details. You may not save ANY money at all, because, like the rest of life, you tend to get what you pay for. Higher premium = usually better coverage.

[progree]

7. "www.healthsherpa.com" - to get the subsidy one must enroll in the plan on the appropriate

exchange -- healthcare.gov for those without a state exchange, and on the state exchange for states with an exchange.

A number of websites say this -- you probably know this, but some people might not.

I've been using healthsherpa.com and the insurance companies' websites for information, but will use Mnsure.org, my state exchange (Minnesota), to enroll in a plan.

=======================================================

As for your OP idea -- [font color = blue] "A stickied thread with FAQ's on how to navigate the ACA and the American health care system. " [/font] -- yes, I'm all for that, as my http://www.democraticunderground.com/114211792 post in this forum, and my new post in the Minnesota forum asking for feedback on the health insurers available in Minnesota -- http://www.democraticunderground.com/10592735 fit that category I think.

The timing for such a thread though might be bad, since after March 31, open enrollment is done until November 15. If that's what the intent of the thread is - to help people get coverage.

If it's about the politics of the ACA and whether PBO is a piece of shit used car salesman or whatever the phrase was, then of course that will always be of high interest to many, but personally I don't need to see that as a sticky thread. Same for the DU M.O.B. (McCarthyite Ostrich Brigade) that jumps on anyone that dares bring up any real problems or real issues with the ACA or the exchanges.

[steve2470]

8. I"m all for accurate information

Not interested in any DU drama type stuff.