Just got off the phone with Humana! They asked for a 20% increase

[Change Happens]

In premiums. Honestly, I feel like whatever at this point, it is no big deal, expected the be screwed as always...etc.

But here is a new trick:

In the renewal notice, they sent this very nice glossy one page handout called:

HEALTH CARE REFORM AND GRANDFATHERED PLANS.

The handout/flier basically tells you all these things (warnings) that will cause you to "lose" your "grandfathered" status...The whole thing makes it sound like you are better off keeping everything the same and swallow the 20% increase...etc. Simple silly changes, like getting new deductible amount, or if you chose a plan with higher copays, or you chose a plan which eliminates certain benefits...etc. basically, they scare the shit out of you so that you don't make any changes (securing the new higher rates for themselves) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, have you think that you are better off if you are "grandfathered" in.

The real story is: IF YOU ARE GRANDFATHERED IN, then the new law does NOT effect you at all, meaning NO NEW ADDITIONAL BENEFITS from the new law!!!

I happen to be reading a thing about this issue, and the first item listed was, grandfathered plans are exempt from the new law!!! That's when I called them!!!

I ended up telling the lady off for tricking people, AFTER she admitted that I will get no additional benefits from the new law if I let them grandfather me in!!! But, she just said, next year my rates may even go much higher if I have the added benefits!

My final decision was to modify my policy so that I have the added benefits from the new law, will worry about their next rate increase a year from now, which you know will come either way!!!


Nutshell: Health Insurance for profit is EVIL!

P.S. While on the phone, I quoted President Obama often about the new benefits they HAVE TO GIVE me going forward...etc. she agreed! No more life time caps, daughter stays on the policy until she turns 26...Free routine preventative exams...etc.

Overall, I am very happy with the new law, you just still have to watch out for the criminal insurance companies!

[glinda]

1. K & R n/t

[DCKit]

2. Thanks for the heads-up.

I'll be better prepared to answer any questions from people who may be tempted to fall for this crap.

[mediaman007]

3. The administration/congress has really fallen down in presenting this to the American people.

How does anyone have a clue what is happening? This was a golden opportunity to flood television and the Internet with information. It seems like they left it to the mainstream media, which could care less.

[Windy]

4. MSM puts on what they want. they are not interesting in facts, only controversy...

nt

[Change Happens]

5. You really have to read everything and be an informed consumer I guess.

[nashville_brook]

6. so, are they asking you to identify yourself as non-grandfathered in order to keep bennies?

in other words...are they saying that there's some hoop you have to jump thru in order to be covered by the new law?

if there's a loophole like this, it needs to be addressed.

[malaise]

7. I knew something was up when I saw the new emotional ad

with grandmothers and kids - these fuckers are shameless

[SoCalDem]

8. Was grandma wearing a blue checkered shirt with the sleeve rolled up

:rofl:

[malaise]

12. LOL

No - it was all mushy with the kids. I only saw one grandpa...grandfather clause???

[Canuckistanian]

9. Stories like this make my head spin

"Grandfathering" and copays, deductibles and caps... it's all so confusing even for people WHO PAY ATTENTION and try to get a decent plan. Then you get hassled for MINUTIAE or legalese in your contract.

I deal with NONE of this.

I swear, the productivity of Americans would be increased TEN-FOLD if they didn't have to spend SO many hours, days, months worrying, arguing and shopping for decent health care. And even then you get ripped off.

For GOD'S SAKE, keep fighting for at least the minimum - a Public Option. This is getting freaking Kafkaesque.

[Lorien]

10. We'd have less to watch out for if we pushed for single payer AGAIN

All those HCR fans screamed "JUST GET IT PASSED, THEN WE"LL FIX IT!!!!!!"


Well?

[Towlie]

11. "IF YOU ARE GRANDFATHERED IN, then the new law does NOT effect (sic) you at all..."

Perhaps you meant "affect."

At any rate, you're right, health insurance for profit is evil.