How much is YOUR Ins. going up in January?

[daughtersrus]

But at least you got something for your $800. We pay that much per month now just for our premium and we rarely, rarely even see a doctor. Not even once a year per person in our family. I'd much rather write a check for actual expenses and wait to be reimbursed. .

Back in the 90's,the $800 we paid each month was just for the prescriptions. The premium for the insurance was about $400 a month.

Yes, I agree. Most people wouldn't like pulling out their check book and writing a check for their care and waiting for reimbursement. But on the flip side, healthcare costs were lower, people didn't run to the doctor for a Zpak every time they got a cold, and you actually received the healthcare you PAID for, as opposed to paying for lots of different coverage that you didn't need.

I think where everything got screwed up was when we went the way of the HMO model. People loved going to the doctor, paying a $10 copay. Heck, I'll admit that I did. When I had my son in '96, I think I only paid about $100 bucks for my entire pregnancy and delivery costs, because we had HMO insurance. I realize now that someone else had to make those dollars up somewhere because I know my OB/GYN didn't work for free.

I would much rather have a straight 80/20 coverage with a $500 deductible. That would put me in charge of my own healthcare, and my decisions would be made based on what I feel is right for me and my family. I'm very happy that people can get their medicine cheap, but I don't think people will admit that their good fortune of reducing their costs, comes at other people's expense. I guess the only way that it would be totally fair was if we got rid of employer based offerings and EVERYONE paid exactly the same amount for coverage and services. But for that to happen a lot of people would be paying a whole lot more while some would be paying a whole lot less. And I'm pretty sure that the ones who all of a sudden had to pay a whole lot more would be crying foul. Definitely no easy answers...

We have never had a HMO. We still have a PPO. It is an 80/20 plan for doctor visits and hospital and 90/10 for outpatient surgery. Our deductible went from $125/person $250/family in the early 90's to $250/$500 that it is currently at.
These plans still exist. Our youngest DD is disabled due to a rare genetic disease. I have always been grateful that we don't have a HMO. Although we would pay much less of our own money for visits, I like being able to schedule an appointment with a specialist that I want her to see without having to go to the primary doctor first for a referral.

Our insurance is provided by DH's employer. I am aware that other people(customers) are helping pay the costs of the insurance when they purchase the service that DH'S provides to them. I think you're on to something when you say to eliminate employer sponsored insurance but then I bet most of he people making negative comments about ACA would complain that they now have to pay for their own health insurance.

 

[aprilchem]

None. Ours is going DOWN next year. The decrease in my monthly premium in addition to the money I'm saving on preventative health copays and the fact that my birth control (which I take to manage my PCOS, so it's not a common type and was seriously expensive) is now free is saving us around $250 a month.

 

[McKelly]

I think the bigger problem is the lack of students who are wanting to be GENERAL practicioners...too many are being specialists and GPs are, as a breed, dying out. I think the trend will be toward Nurse Practicioners for basic treatment then doctors for specialized care.

Which I think is OK. I have seen only a nurse practitioner for years now and I have been very happy with her. She has treated for me female issues, anemia, ear infections, strep, etc. Granted, none of these things have been life threatening, and I would expect her to refer me to a specialist if there was a major problem. But if it keeps healthcare costs down, I am more than happy to forego an actual physician and see a competent nurse practitioner.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

None. Ours is going DOWN next year. The decrease in my monthly premium in addition to the money I'm saving on preventative health copays and the fact that my birth control (which I take to manage my PCOS, so it's not a common type and was seriously expensive) is now free is saving us around $250 a month.

I hope you realize just how lucky you are. This is not the case for most people. I'm happy for you. I'm also praying for those of us who have to pay more, especially those who have theirs go up more than double.

 

[mhfrau]

Back in the 90's,the $800 we paid each month was just for the prescriptions. The premium for the insurance was about $400 a month.




We have never had a HMO. We still have a PPO. It is an 80/20 plan for doctor visits and hospital and 90/10 for outpatient surgery. Our deductible went from $125/person $250/family in the early 90's to $250/$500 that it is currently at.
These plans still exist. Our youngest DD is disabled due to a rare genetic disease. I have always been grateful that we don't have a HMO. Although we would pay much less of our own money for visits, I like being able to schedule an appointment with a specialist that I want her to see without having to go to the primary doctor first for a referral.

Our insurance is provided by DH's employer. I am aware that other people(customers) are helping pay the costs of the insurance when they purchase the service that DH'S provides to them. I think you're on to something when you say to eliminate employer sponsored insurance but then I bet most of he people making negative comments about ACA would complain that they now have to pay for their own health insurance.

I think the crux of the matter for many people, myself included, is that in the 25 years we've been in the workforce, we've never worked for companies that paid the bulk of their employees healthcare premium. My career was spent in corporate retail, and I always worked for major companies in middle management up type jobs where I paid the major portion of my premium. My husband works in the service industry, again middle management up position and he works for one the largest companies in the United States with close to 10,000 employees and we have always had to pay the 85% of the premium. With premiums skyrocketing, the employees are picking up the additional costs, because it certainly isn't coming out of the corporate profits. You are so very lucky if you work for a company that will eat that increase.

When I read on here that people are employed by companies that pay so much of the premiums, I'm shocked because in my social circle, I've never know anyone to have those kind of golden medical benefits. I wish I knew who these companies were, because we would be sending resumes and linking on LinkedIn asap

But back to your point, if all companies were required to pay the same percentage of premium portion by law, then that would be another uproar of public/private debate. But I am really glad that your daughter gets what she needs for her condition

 

[daughtersrus]

I think the crux of the matter for many people, myself included, is that in the 25 years we've been in the workforce, we've never worked for companies that paid the bulk of their employees healthcare premium. My career was spent in corporate retail, and I always worked for major companies in middle management up type jobs where I paid the major portion of my premium. My husband works in the service industry, again middle management up position and he works for one the largest companies in the United States with close to 10,000 employees and we have always had to pay the 85% of the premium. With premiums skyrocketing, the employees are picking up the additional costs, because it certainly isn't coming out of the corporate profits. You are so very lucky if you work for a company that will eat that increase.

When I read on here that people are employed by companies that pay so much of the premiums, I'm shocked because in my social circle, I've never know anyone to have those kind of golden medical benefits. I wish I knew who these companies were, because we would be sending resumes and linking on LinkedIn asap :rotfl2:

But back to your point, if all companies were required to pay the same percentage of premium portion by law, then that would be another uproar of public/private debate. But I am really glad that your daughter gets what she needs for her condition

There are some that pay 100% of the cost

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2012/benefits/

Edited to add...

"Covered workers contribute on average 18% of the premium for single coverage and 29% of the premium for family coverage, similar to the percentages contributed in 2012 and relatively unchanged over the past decade. "

http://kff.org/report-section/2013-summary-of-findings/

 

[arihillfarm]

We have Federal BCBS as well. It will go up 3% next year. http://www.bcbs.com/healthcare-news...hile-maintaining-minimal-growth-in-rates.html

Thank you for posting this!! I was afraid of what might happen to our rates and seeing them go up only a small amount makes my week. After everything that has been going on re: the shutdown and the National Guard also being "laid off", we needed a little bit of good news. Now, if someone somewhere would just make dual status Reservists and National Guard eligible for Tricare Reserve Select like all other Reservists/Guardsmen are, that would make me very happy.

-Astrid

 

[jen1977]

Ours is jumping a ton. Starting in January, it will be 39% of our total income! and it's terrible coverage with high copays. We had to decline it....we can't afford to pay that much of our income for insurance. If we paid it, the coverage/copays are so bad that we wouldn't be able to afford to use it!

 

[wendow]

There are some that pay 100% of the cost

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2012/benefits/

Edited to add...

"Covered workers contribute on average 18% of the premium for single coverage and 29% of the premium for family coverage, similar to the percentages contributed in 2012 and relatively unchanged over the past decade. "

http://kff.org/report-section/2013-summary-of-findings/

Would love for dh to work for one of those companies paying 100%. Heck, I'd even be happy if we only had to pay 29%! Our part is just over $800 per month and his employer pays $900 so we are playing almost 50% of the premium.

 

[tiggerplus5]

When I read on here that people are employed by companies that pay so much of the premiums, I'm shocked because in my social circle, I've never know anyone to have those kind of golden medical benefits. I wish I knew who these companies were, because we would be sending resumes and linking on LinkedIn asap

I have been working 28 years and have ALWAYS had good employer paid (80/20) health insurance. I've never been without health care, even as a child. This thread is a shock to me. Employers in my neck of the woods tend to be family centered companies that value their employees and are willing to pay benefits to keep them.

 

[Marionnette]

I have been working 28 years and have ALWAYS had good employer paid (80/20) health insurance. I've never been without health care, even as a child. This thread is a shock to me. Employers in my neck of the woods tend to be family centered companies that value their employees and are willing to pay benefits to keep them.

I know that you probably did no mean to offend anyone, but as a small business owner, I take exception to your statement . We value our employees and pay them quite well. Many if them have been with us for decades. They are like family to us.

However, there is no way to shoulder the cost of their health insurance AND keep our doors open. Instead of a job with no employer-paid health insurance, they wouldn't have a job at all. And a lot of people who rely on the service we provide would have to look elsewhere (if they could even get "elsewhere").

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Would love for dh to work for one of those companies paying 100%. Heck, I'd even be happy if we only had to pay 29%! Our part is just over $800 per month and his employer pays $900 so we are playing almost 50% of the premium.

Dh's employer used to pay 100% of health insurance but he took a large pay cut to take this job. Part of their excuse for lame pay was the good health ins & benefits package. It was worth it because it also gave dh all federal holidays home which means he's home when kids are off school. (I'm in hosp and only get 6 holidays/year.) Also it meant working a few towns away and never having to travel. He's home by 4:00pm every day. This was a huge relief for us.

Anyway, just saying the 100% paid insurance comes at a price.

 

[disney1990]

Ours is jumping a ton. Starting in January, it will be 39% of our total income! and it's terrible coverage with high copays. We had to decline it....we can't afford to pay that much of our income for insurance. If we paid it, the coverage/copays are so bad that we wouldn't be able to afford to use it!

If that is the case (39%) then you qualify for insurance on the health exchanges, probably at a lower cost.

 

[tiggerplus5]

I know that you probably did no mean to offend anyone, but as a small business owner, I take exception to your statement . We value our employees and pay them quite well. Many if them have been with us for decades. They are like family to us.

However, there is no way to shoulder the cost of their health insurance AND keep our doors open. Instead of a job with no employer-paid health insurance, they wouldn't have a job at all. And a lot of people who rely on the service we provide would have to look elsewhere (if they could even get "elsewhere").

I'm sorry if you are offended. That was not my intention. The PP was "shocked" that others get affordable health insurance through their employers. But many employers do find a way to make this work. Good benefits keep good employees.

Being a small business does make it hard to get affordable health insurance. Buying insurance with other small businesses reduce the rates. That's how supply and demand works. That's the basis of the ACA.

Your employees are probably very thankful to have a job. But if you offered them health insurance would they all refuse? Your employees stay because in your words... "they wouldn't have a job at all." Sounds like this is the norm where you live.

That still doesn't change the fact that I've had health insurance my whole life. I pay my share and I am very grateful that my employer cares about my family's medical needs.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

They are talking about this on Huckabee on Fox News right now. Showing the effects on people like us. Someone is about to come on who's insurance has quadrupled.

 

[momof1princess]

They are talking about this on Huckabee on Fox News right now. Showing the effects on people like us. Someone is about to come on who's insurance has quadrupled.

My boss just got a packet from BCBS last week, and his monthly insurance premium is going to almost double (just about 8 dollars short of double). His deductible is doubling. He says he'll have to cancel it, because there's no way he can pay that much. Unfortunately, he and his wife make too much to qualify for a subsidy.

 

[ZoeBell]

I think the crux of the matter for many people, myself included, is that in the 25 years we've been in the workforce, we've never worked for companies that paid the bulk of their employees healthcare premium. My career was spent in corporate retail, and I always worked for major companies in middle management up type jobs where I paid the major portion of my premium. My husband works in the service industry, again middle management up position and he works for one the largest companies in the United States with close to 10,000 employees and we have always had to pay the 85% of the premium. With premiums skyrocketing, the employees are picking up the additional costs, because it certainly isn't coming out of the corporate profits. You are so very lucky if you work for a company that will eat that increase.

When I read on here that people are employed by companies that pay so much of the premiums, I'm shocked because in my social circle, I've never know anyone to have those kind of golden medical benefits. I wish I knew who these companies were, because we would be sending resumes and linking on LinkedIn asap

But back to your point, if all companies were required to pay the same percentage of premium portion by law, then that would be another uproar of public/private debate. But I am really glad that your daughter gets what she needs for her condition

I'm on the opposite end. In my life just about everyone I know has insurance through their employers and OOP costs are next to nothing. My family is the one with crappy insurance.My husband's plan $50/pay/High deductibles/high co-pays/then 80/20. He pays for himself and the kids, I got my own through my employer I pay $91/biweekly/no deductible/$15/$20 copays. But after that everything is covered as long as I stay within the network. I recently had a hyster and everything was covered. If I was full time for about $75/bi-weekly I could insure my whole family. But I'm part-time and it's to much.

Buffalo, where I live have done their own ACA in a way. Insurance companies and our major hospital systems have set up network insurance plans. If you stay within your network you pay next to nothing. Sometimes not even a copay.

 

[ZoeBell]

Ours is jumping a ton. Starting in January, it will be 39% of our total income! and it's terrible coverage with high copays. We had to decline it....we can't afford to pay that much of our income for insurance. If we paid it, the coverage/copays are so bad that we wouldn't be able to afford to use it!

How could you decline? Every year I fill out my benefit package I had to prove where I was getting coverage from if I wasn't accepting my employer's insurance. This was before the ACA.

 

[Robbi]

Our deductible would go from $5000 to $12000 under obamacare with the silver plan. Pass

 

[wendow]

Dh's employer used to pay 100% of health insurance but he took a large pay cut to take this job. Part of their excuse for lame pay was the good health ins & benefits package. It was worth it because it also gave dh all federal holidays home which means he's home when kids are off school. (I'm in hosp and only get 6 holidays/year.) Also it meant working a few towns away and never having to travel. He's home by 4:00pm every day. This was a huge relief for us.

Anyway, just saying the 100% paid insurance comes at a price.

Our situation is similar. So I totally understand your comment.