Snails - Response on Threads Part 8

[MadOzodi]

G'mornin, snails!

If it weren't for me visiting this thread and at least attempting a cursory read-back every morning, I wouldn't know what the hell is going on in the world.

Yesterday evening around 1443, I realized I was over the whole Election/Presidency thing. People thought great things were going to happen once Bark took office. Yeah, not so much. Bear, the ACA caused you enough grief for what, 2 years now? Is going back to what HC was like before, or something similar, worse or better for you?

"Totally bad logic" would dictate that since people don't think Trump will accomplish squat, at least a couple of good things are going to happen.

Theoretically, a more expedient approval process should mean they cost less, to some degree; a longer approval process in no way, shape, or form, means a safer drug. But I should digress before I lose the whole workday going into that.

In my mind, there are many more important things than HC that need to be fixed with this nation. I'd like to know what Mr. Dumas machine (political or not) allowed HC and HC insurance companies to become what they are today. /STIFLES CYNICISM

 

[SilverBear]

morning, bear and atty

and for bear: Enrollment opened on Nov. 1 for 2017 coverage and once those plans are purchased, it would be legally difficult for Trump to cancel them before the one-year contracts run out, said Molina Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mario Molina.

Well, that's what I said someplace on the last couple of pages.

2017 is pretty safe.

But I'm still not seeing how Mr. John Q. 25% Increase Public will not be facing
25% more in 2018... either by premiums or having to pay into an HSA... or
both combined. What happens when his ~$4500 allowable maximum HSA will
not pay for his bypass surgery? insurance will STILL be involved and we STILL
will have overpriced Big Pharma and Big Medica (???) to deal with. It is those
two industries that NEED THE REFORM.... not how we-the-people end up paying
for it.

Did you get an itemized bill for DH yet? DEMAND one. They must provide it upon
request.

 

[daleron]

Good morning MadO

 

[SilverBear]

Bear, the ACA caused you enough grief for what, 2 years now? Is going back to what HC was like before, or something similar, worse or better for you?

It would be worse.

Using my failing memory...
2012 - retired, company-paid health care
2013 - was on state-run plan, $248/month, high deductible... $5000?
2014 - First ACA year, $101/month, no deductible, but co-pays on all services
2015 - 2nd ACA year, $104/month, no deductible, but co-pays on all services
2016 - 3rd ACA year, $0/month, $0 deductible, $0 copays, $0 coinsurance, $100/yr
out of pocket max for scripts... all of which have been $1 each per month
2017 - 4th ACA year, see 2016

2016 and 2017 are NOT medicaid, just FYI.

So yeah... ANY change to 2016/2017 will be worse. That is why health care
is at the very top of my concerns for a well-planned well-deserved comfortable
retirement.

I really do NOT want to have to return to the workforce to ONLY pay for health
care (HSA).

 

[tiburonfirst]

worse or better for you?

i'll answer for bear - he had it made in the shade!

good morning, mad!

 

[AttyPops]

Morning, Atty . Happy taxi day!

Thanks.
Stage 1 taxi complete.
State 2 I have to pick him up at 11:00 and then take him somewhere else, wait, and then take him home.

He's trying to talk me into taking him to the casino on Friday. "I'll give you $10 for gas!". lol. Ah, no. "Not a necessity", I said. "Oh", he said, "I guess I'll just have to wait another FIVE WEEKS to go then...." lol
Groan.

SO I'm back for a bit.

 

[tiburonfirst]

Did you get an itemized bill for DH yet? DEMAND one. They must provide it upon
request.

i have it

 

[tiburonfirst]

"I guess I'll just have to wait another FIVE WEEKS to go then...."

that poor man!

 

[SilverBear]

i have it

So...

What needs reform???

 

[AttyPops]

It would be worse.

Using my failing memory...
2012 - retired, company-paid health care
2013 - was on state-run plan, $248/month, high deductible... $5000?
2014 - First ACA year, $101/month, no deductible, but co-pays on all services
2015 - 2nd ACA year, $104/month, no deductible, but co-pays on all services
2016 - 3rd ACA year, $0/month, $0 deductible, $0 copays, $0 coinsurance, $100/yr
out of pocket max for scripts... all of which have been $1 each per month
2017 - 4th ACA year, see 2016

2016 and 2017 are NOT medicaid, just FYI.

So yeah... ANY change to 2016/2017 will be worse. That is why health care
is at the very top of my concerns for a well-planned well-deserved comfortable
retirement.

Some are suffering under the delusion that ACA/Obamacare is bad and that we can't take steps to get HC under control. The ACA as it is now was just "step 1". Controlling costs were in the pipe if you can get it past the Republicans that kept blocking cost-control measures so they could complain about costs.

But, of course, we have 50% of the population that thinks poor people should "just die", because they "don't pay for themselves". Oh, and re-enable the "pre-existing condition" exclusions. Because money worship. Meanwhile Joe-blow skates by with good health and a catastrophic-only policy, and doesn't like to share risks.

No concept of realities for some people.

 

[SilverBear]

So yeah... ANY change to 2016/2017 will be worse. That is why health care
is at the very top of my concerns for a well-planned well-deserved comfortable
retirement.

I really do NOT want to have to return to the workforce to ONLY pay for health
care (HSA).

I admit to being VERY selfish like that. But quite frankly, it's what
hits home VERY directly. Other folks may have other priorities.

Now... ear-lowering! Later!

 

[Katmar]

now how did we get so fast from z to h?

Well, we did the alphabet, so I just went with what entered my mind. I'm thinking we should do an ABCD one day, then continue on with the alphabet in that manner. But, my brain gets tired!!!

 

[Katmar]

Good morning, MadO

 

[MadOzodi]

It would be worse.

Using my failing memory...
2012 - retired, company-paid health care
2013 - was on state-run plan, $248/month, high deductible... $5000?
2014 - First ACA year, $101/month, no deductible, but co-pays on all services
2015 - 2nd ACA year, $104/month, no deductible, but co-pays on all services
2016 - 3rd ACA year, $0/month, $0 deductible, $0 copays, $0 coinsurance, $100/yr
out of pocket max for scripts... all of which have been $1 each per month
2017 - 4th ACA year, see 2016

2016 and 2017 are NOT medicaid, just FYI.

So yeah... ANY change to 2016/2017 will be worse. That is why health care
is at the very top of my concerns for a well-planned well-deserved comfortable
retirement.

Roger that.

Hmmm, my premiums have done nothing but go up the past couple of years. The first and/or second ACA year, I think my company ate the extra costs.

All I know is that I'm not going to be able to retire, not matter how much I put away.

 

[tiburonfirst]

I admit to being VERY selfish like that

yup, you are! and you're my shining example how badly aca was engineered!

 

[AttyPops]

Roger that.

Hmmm, my premiums have done nothing but go up the past couple of years. The first and/or second ACA year, I think my company ate the extra costs.

All I know is that I'm not going to be able to retire, not matter how much I put away.

I agree we have to flip the economy. But countries that have ACA like things (that aren't sabotaged) have CHEAPER and BETTER healthcare.

yup, you are! and you're my shining example how badly aca was engineered!

It wasn't engineered. It was sabotaged. And it still mostly-worked and can be fixed.

 

[AttyPops]

Look for a HUGE FIGHT on the HC thing. Remember last time? Wow. It will get more nuts now.

 

[tiburonfirst]

It was sabotaged.

pretty sure it was not a republican who pushed through the 'no assets to be counted' provision

 

[AttyPops]

pretty sure it was not a republican who pushed through the 'no assets to be counted' provision

No.
But it was the Republicans that pushed through the "government is not allowed to negotiate for lower drug costs" provision.

 

[SilverBear]

yup, you are! and you're my shining example how badly aca was engineered!

(Now all-pretty and ready to head out... but first...)

No no no. The ability to do what *I* am doing is thanks to:

... I am in New York. From what I've seen, ACA in New York is VERY VERY unique.
For one, we are OFF "the exchange" (only 12 states like that). In my internet
noseying, NONE of the other 11 states have what we call "essential plans". They
are for people with MAGI 200% of the federal poverty level or lower. Now,
depending on what your MAGI is (that's the final number on Page 1 of your
federal return), it determines which of the 4 tiers you qualify. Two of the tiers
zap you directly into Medicaid. Nope. Not going there. So, I claim +$1 extra
and get into my current plan.

How many people in the ENTIRE US who are on ACA fall into that category?
I'm thinking precious few. Negligible as the numerator. Fixing my particular
loophole (if you want to call it that) would do NOTHING to fix ACA as a whole.

So, I an NOT a shining example of what's wrong with ACA.