Question about ACA: I thought insurance companies could no longer charge more for women?

[AllyCat]

The large HOSPITAL where I work is considering dropping employee health coverage to "catastrophic only". I started pricing insurance for our family and women pay at least 30% more than men (my husband would be about $135 a month, I would cost $194 a month). This is with the carrier we have now that our employer wants to drop.

What happened? Do I not remember this clearly?

I've read through the website and can find nothing saying women don't have to pay more for the pre-existing condition of having two X chromosomes.

[rox63]

1. The new rates haven't kicked in yet

Insurance prices through the state exchanges will have to be the same for men and women. But most state exchanges are not up and running yet.

Edit to add: In fact, VT just became the first state to announce their rates for plans under the ACA:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022598757

[AllyCat]

3. Thank you. It was the VT post that encouraged me to look.

Not sure what happens if our employer offers a plan but it is catastrophic only...are we required to take that? Could we then buy on the exchange if a policy is officially "offered" at the employer but it sucks?

I live in WI where Walker says he won't institute the state exchange.

[zipplewrath]

4. Will be no "catastrophic only" plans

Not sure what you mean by that, but once it fully kicks in, those kinds of plans won't be allowed. Certain procedures will have to be covered at 100%. If Walker doesn't institute a state exchange, the feds will do it for him (which may end up being better for you in the long run).

[AllyCat]

6. I keep hoping the more people on the exchange, the closer we get to single-payer

The "catastrophic" plan is a threat from mgmt I think as we are bargaining right now. We might all be better off if that is what they do.

[subterranean]

5. If your employer only offers a catastrophic plan,

then you can decline that coverage and buy your own insurance on the exchange and get subsidies. If your employer offers a plan that meets the minimum requirements under the ACA, you can still buy on the exchange, but you will not be eligible for the subsidies UNLESS your employer plan would cost you more than 9.5% of your income. It's complicated.

[eomer]

2. That rule takes effect in 2014

Here is an explanation of how the new law applies for women, including that provision that prohibits gender-based rates:

http://www.healthcare.gov/law/information-for-you/women.html

[Recursion]

7. that kicks in with the exchanges next year (nt)