Another year...another health insurance premium increase

[SHRED]

It's "open enrollment" time. Just got the increase news. Anthem will go up another 8.5% as of December 1st, 2012.

Additional $350 per year.


2014 can't come soon enough!!!

[flamingdem]

1. aaaarg. Are you in California by any chance?

... maybe I should open some of those envelopes... yikes

[SHRED]

2. yep

[flamingdem]

5. I'm on an individual plan

but for sure they'll hit me again after hitting me after my 6 months of enrollment.

I am also impatient for 2014 and hope that CA gets the info out soon about the exchanges.
Even more than the money it's the hold they have over me, so much money for useless
insurance is infuriating and unfair. I just learned that they lied to me and in fact I would
have to pay extra copays for brand medicine at different tiers, meanwhile I was convinced
to pay more to have brand coverage .. such a bunch of sleazy salespeople, the small print
was not evident in any web materials but they have it all covered legally. Mafia!

[lalalu]

3. My favorite is we have an option

where kids can stay on after they turn 26. The rates are similar to cobra which are very high. They are very optimistic about how much young people will be making in the future. Based on these rates they would have to start with six figure salaries and work their way up to millionaire status. Either that or rely on charity care. My real suspicion is that they are hiking rates deliberately to get enough people in office to repeal healthcare reform.

Once reform is fully implemented the rates will go down. Some republican governors and local elected officials are deliberately blocking the setting up of health exchanges until after the election.

If we get President Obama reelected along with a congress he can work with I see not only the lowering of rates but the opening of Medicare to all. Along with expanding Medicaid we would get lowcost Universal healthcare through a roundabout way. Another reason this election is important.

[ejpoeta]

4. so the inevitable.... see, obamacare is making my insurance go up.

i should be hearing that again soon. i heard it last year. tried to explain.... hasn't it gone up EVERY year? it goes up EVERY year.... it's just that this year they are claiming it's because of the new law. Cringing now at the thought that bob will be telling me our cost will go up again.

[SHRED]

6. again...

...2014 can't come soon enough!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patient_Protection_and_Affordable_Care_Act#Effective_by_January_1.2C_2014

[pwb]

7. Wasn't it usually up by a lot more in past years? Like 15% or more every year.

Slowing the rate of increase is still better than before.