Catastrophic health insurance option?

Post by **Gunnibronco** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 11:05 am

I know this is a weird place to ask, but I'm hoping someone here has a decent option.

I'm forced to buy my insurance through the exchange or a broker, and due to my income, I do not qualify for any tax credits. The short version is that my available policies for 2016 cost 10%+ of my pretax income, and don't help until I've met my deductible (roughly another 14% of my pretax income).

I'm interested in non-ACA-compliant catastrophic insurance, but cannot find any reliable sources. The internet keeps leading me to companies that seem to be scams. And my local insurance agents are barred from selling anything that is not ACA-compliant.

Anyone here using a non-compliant insurance that is actually honest & reputable? Any info or contacts are appreciated.

I've ALWAYS had decent insurance before this ACA debacle took over. The last 2 years have seen my policies double in cost & the deductibles/out of pocket triple. Now its anything but affordable or helpful./endrant

Post by **Eck** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 4:16 pm

I'll PM you a number to call. My GF is a health insurance benefit advocate and is giving me the number to call to talk more about your situation.

Post by **rt9** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 7:56 pm

Eck, I'd be interested too. This ACA thing is killing me and now the state exchange is no longer in business. My rate instantly is jumping $200 to go with another plan. Armagh!

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Post by **akaFrankCastle** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 8:27 pm

Forgive me for being ignorant. I'm one of those parasites who has enjoyed government health care for the last 20 years. (And I don't wish that on anyone.)

For those not offered healthcare through their employer, you're basically going to a storefront that specifically offers healthcare insurance, is that correct?

Pure curiosity on my part. No political motivations for asking.

Post by **rt9** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 8:51 pm

Yes, us private insurance users are really taking it in the shorts.

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Post by **Gunnibronco** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:03 pm

akaFrankCastle wrote:For those not offered healthcare through their employer, you're basically going to a storefront that specifically offers healthcare insurance, is that correct?

You can use the state exchange connectforhealthco.com, or a regular insurance agent or broker. The state exchange & agents/brokers are only allowed to offer ACA compliant policies. In Colorado, only Anthem, Rocky Mountain Health Care, and United Health appear to be offering compliant policies. The cheapest company offering policies in 2015 had their Federal funding revoked for 2016, thus putting them out of business.

Post by **akaFrankCastle** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 9:05 pm

Gunnibronco wrote:
You can use the state exchange connectforhealthco.com, or a regular insurance agent or broker. The state exchange & agents/brokers are only allowed to offer ACA compliant policies. In Colorado, only Anthem, Rocky Mountain Health Care, and United Health appear to be offering compliant policies. The cheapest company offering policies in 2015 had their Federal funding revoked for 2016, thus putting them out of business.

Gotcha. Thanks.

Post by **Dukietown** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:20 am

From what I've heard insurance premiums went up pretty much across the board this year. We were lucky enough that our employer opted to eat the premium increase rather than pass it on to us. I think everyone is taking it in the shorts.

Post by **sykanr0ng** » Sun Nov 08, 2015 12:30 pm

Did anyone living anywhere near reality not know that as soon as insurance became mandatory the price would go up?

Oops, sorry, should have remembered I was talking about politicians. banghead

Post by **Unaweep** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 7:16 pm

A friend of mine just got the plan your talking about. $280 for him and his wife. It DOES NOT count for Obama insurance. I'll ask him where he got it..it was a major Colorado company.

Post by **TOOLMAN** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 7:17 am

My Kaiser through work actually went down in November and is set to go down again next year. I hate Kaiser, but mine seems to be getting a little cheaper. I have to pay about 23% of my premium.

Post by **Aztec77Bronco** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 3:11 pm

I'm in the same boat as most the rest of y'all. I left my job to go back to college (at my age I know...stupid!) My "affordable" health insurance cost me $480.00 a month for me and my spouse, I'm not even 40 yet! So I went to find new insurance and was told I could get a "deal" at $720.00 a month. How is that a deal??? Prior to the ACA our insurance for both of us with way better deductibles and max out of pocket was $219.00 a month. After speaking with my accountant I'm finding the fine is cheaper than insurance & if something major happens the hospital will make truly affordable payment plans with you. So unless anyone has a magic wand available for insurance I'm not going to bother. I can set that money aside and have around $20k in an account in 2 years. It's just :bull:

Post by **rt9** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:31 am

Unaweep wrote:A friend of mine just got the plan your talking about. $280 for him and his wife. It DOES NOT count for Obama insurance. I'll ask him where he got it..it was a major Colorado company.

Any update on this?

Post by **Unaweep** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 4:41 pm

My friend said it was through United HealthCare, Choice Plus HSA plan #80840?

Post by **rt9** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:07 pm

Thanks. Ill call them tomorrow

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Post by **Unaweep** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 8:10 pm

Keep this thread going, we need to make it through all of this until the ACA implodes and a better system is in place.

Post by **Digger** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 8:57 pm

The political landscape is SOOOO frustrating right now.

Post by **rt9** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 11:00 am

I spoke with my broker this morning at length on this. No magic available from her either. The United plan above is an employer plan with 2 or more people. I left messages with United but they have yet to call back. From what the broker tells me, there must be 2 or more non related employees. Also, I believe the employer is required to pay 50% of the employee's plan. Again, I am trying to verify all this.

At this point I'm strongly considering the tax penalty and a bridge catastrophic plan. I've also looked at some life insurance plans at around $50/month that cover the biggies like cancer, heart attack, etc.
With the expansion of Medicad and the executive order exemptions on the employer mandate, Cadillac plans, etc.,,, the rest of us are stuck holding the bag.

If anything, I would say this entire process is 10X more difficult than it was before, but I'm now covered for child dental, child vision, and maternity care. Too bad my kids are grown and gone!!!!

She also told me the number of carriers in Colorado is about to drop again. Pretty soon the only thing left will be Kaiser and maybe 2 more.

I'll update if United ever calls me back. Checking Blue Cross later today.

Post by **Gunnibronco** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:26 pm

Thanks for all the info & updates. My employer has looked into plans for our small shop. He found some (ACA compliant) that we are going to discuss with an agent tomorrow. They are better (cheaper/better deductibles & out of pocket max) than what is available individually, but all HMOs. They aren't awesome. At least its pretax dollars paying for it.

If everyone had to deal with this system annually, it wouldn't last very long. Pretty much a disaster.

www.ColoradoClassicBroncos.com