Two-Thirds of Americans Don't Know If They Will Insure Under Obamacare
Source: CNBC
Nearly two-thirds of Americans who currently lack health insurance don't know yet if they will purchase that coverage by the Jan. 1 deadline set by the ACA, a new survey revealed Monday.
And less than half of those in the survey released by InsuranceQuotes.com think they'll get better health care after Obamacare takes full effect. Nearly 50 percent believe the ACA will make it more difficult for them to get tests and procedures done in a timely manner, according to the phone survey of 1,001 adult Americans conducted in early May.
And a whopping 68 percent of low-income Americans aren't sure they qualify for tax credits that would subsidize their purchase of health insurancedespite they fact that they almost invariably will qualify, the survey found. That population is most likely to benefit from government subsidies under the health-care reform law.
Laura Adams, senior insurance analyst at InsuranceQuotes.com, said public uncertainty about Obamacareparticularly a lack of commitment to signing upcould end up driving up health-insurance costs under the program because not enough healthy people will participate to offset benefits payouts.
Read more: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100783056
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)"don't know" is the operative phrase in the article.
24601
(3,963 posts)have, are we insuring "after" ACA or "in accordance" with ACA, are are we just maintaining pre-ACA status quo, our likely case no matter what it's called.
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)just like they were intended.
still_one
(92,482 posts)Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Nothing at all mentions the ACA in any way.
The commercial networks are being left to inform the American public and they are doing their usual job with all the style, panache and credibility we have come to know and love.
still_one
(92,482 posts)Their misinformation
grahamhgreen
(15,741 posts)http://www.healthcare.gov/using-insurance/low-cost-care/community-health-centers/
Community Health Centers
A network of community health centers across the country provides preventive and primary care to millions of Americans. They provide care for free or on a sliding scale based on your income.
How can I get affordable care in my community?
Community Health Centers are hospitals, health centers, or clinics that provide free or low-cost health care. These places provide prenatal care, baby shots, prescription drugs, general primary care, and specialized care for more serious conditions including mental health, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS.
Anyone may use a community health care center, whether you have health insurance or not. How much you pay will depend on your income.
Find out how to locate a community health center in your area.
magellan
(13,257 posts)2009, husband had an abnormally high PSA. We spent a lot of time at our county health clinic. They eventually shunted us off to a church free clinic, where he saw a urologist who decided he needed three biopsies at $1K each. And that was the discount rate. He had one. Even paying it off in installments nearly broke us; we couldn't afford two more.
Our financial situation hasn't changed since '09. Even if we can afford the monthly premiums through ACA there will be a deductible involved; probably $5K or more to keep our premium down. How does that help us? I anticipate having to choose between paying for insurance we can't afford to use, or paying the fine.
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)I guess some people get free or low cost healthcare and others do not. The entire Dallas / Fort Worth area has exactly zero of these centers.
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)Gov Perry!
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)This is EVERYWHERE including California. I checked our rates under Obamacare: $1,200 a month WITH a $12,000 deductible. Right now I pay nothing for health insurance to not have any. I can't wait to PAY for the same privilege. THIS PRESIDENT was the one who sold out to big pharma and the insurance companies-- they donated LOTS of dinero to his campaign. This has NOTHING to do with Rick Perry and EVERYTHING to do with a sell-out president who completely caved on Single Payer and WE are the ones who suffer.
Myrina
(12,296 posts)Sadly, many of us are in the same boat. Sigh.
Politicub
(12,165 posts)And how many dependents do you have?
I was just curious and can't find the plan that has the costs you have in your OP.
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)Even if Obamacare had policies that only cost a hundred a month, rather than the 1,200 you were quoted, such a policy would be completely un-affordable to any of the hundred million or so Americans on the verge of poverty -- and many beyond that. They don't have an extra 1,200 a YEAR, let alone an extra 1,200 a month. And for them, the idea of a $12,000 deductible makes the policy worthless.
Thanks to Obamacare the poor and desperate are literally being forced, by law, to purchase a product they can not afford, do not want, that does absolutely nothing for them.
And garbage like this is passed off as progress by the new third way Limousine Left.
Zen Democrat
(5,901 posts)And states such as Texas who vow not to enroll the poor in Medicaid will soon change their tune when reality sets in.
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)And remember, these days there are basically two kinds of people: the ones doing just fine and the desperate. Sadly, only the first group has representation in Washington.
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)and what facilities you chose to use, are two unrelated thingys!
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)large line each morning for the last 20 years of so is now called 'a community health center' ]but it is not new, it is certainly not seen as open to all as Soup kitchens are 'there for all' in the same was as such a clinic is there for all. I'd feel wrong to use it. Do you also say 'save your cash, go to the food bank'?
lark
(23,182 posts)FL is doing it's dead level best to fuck over it's struggling citizen and deny them healthcare. They turned down Medicaid (stupid, stupid, stupid) then voted in exchanges that are high cost and don't cover much. They also voted to end all price controls on the cost of insurance. Don't know what Rick Scott will do with that one? I hope for once in his life, he acts human and vetoes the bill. My hope for that is this will hurt the hospitals and I've heard his wife took over his interest in HCA and these are in blind trusts (yeah, right to the blind part).
I'm worried sick about my son who is barely surviving now and can't afford even $50 a month extra. If these community centers are required and states can't opt out, as they can with impunity on most things, what will happen when the poor can't afford what our state offers? The federal government is not protecting us on this, folks, or the FL plan wouldn't be allowed.
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)If people cannot afford it they cannot afford it. For these people, and there are many tens of millions of them, Obamacare only hurts them since they will get slapped with a fine for not giving their money to one of our fine insurance companies in exchange for worthless policies.
Still, Obamacare is a great deal -- if you happen to own an insurance company.
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)that the how it works. And if you can Afford it , why would you pay a fine that is greater than the cost of buying insurance?
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)Wrong! The fine is purported to be $750.00 a year per person PER YEAR which sure as hell beats $12,000 a year in premiums AND a $12,000 deductible. So, yeah, most of us will opt to take the $750.00 per anum beating for the privilege of NOT getting what we're NOT getting for free now: No insurance.
This isn't health care, it's a HUGE giveaway to the insurance companies.
LiberalFighter
(51,226 posts)The fine in 2014 will be $95 per adult or 1% of family income whichever is greater. You might want to check out the details more.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)When I see people use the word 'hate' constantly to describe dislike for a policy, I know that they do not understand the meaning of the word, they do not have to face any hate in life and they have zero empathy for those who face actual hate, which often kills and maims and imprisons.
They toss the world's most negative word as if it as a nerf ball doing no harm when they hurl it repeatedly as response to policy disagreements.
They are the people who allow actual hate against others to flourish for they know not what they do.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)it suits their point of view, I use the word "hate". When there's always this knee-jerk response to something...ANYTHING...without first looking at the facts, I call it hate because there's no other explanation for it.
It only takes a few minutes to look at the policy.
ACA isn't the best, but it's better than what we have. It should be improved on. We need to push for the public option. Sitting around complaining about how awful it is without doing anything to push for an improvement does no one any good. The Teabaggers never give up. If the situation were reversed, they'd be demanding a change in the policy. What do we do? Sit on a message board day in and day out complaining about how awful the president is. He doesn't do this and he doesn't do that. Whatever. Why not get to work getting progressives elected to office so that we can have a public option? Why not push for change on our end?
Again, anger, disappointment, disdain, and yes, pure hatred paralyzes us.
CreekDog
(46,192 posts)that poster has no idea what they are talking about, on more than one topic, apparently.
Yo_Mama
(8,303 posts)I mean, if you have a car accident, it will be wonderful for the hospital. And it's going to be good for most insurance companies. But for a lot of people, the deductibles and copays are so high that they literally won't be able to afford routine health care.
Look at Silver plans:
http://www.coveredca.com/PDFs/English/CoveredCA-HealthPlanBenefitsComparisonChart.pdf
The subsidies make insurance cheap but actual medical care very expensive unless you are close to the Medicare line. Geeze, a generic medication copay of JUST $25 bucks? And if you need something not generic, it's a $250 deductible plus $25?
So let's say I have a urinary tract infection. I have already had my one free visit a year. I go to the doctor which costs me $45. The doctor orders a urinanalysis and sensitivity culture (to see what meds the infection is susceptible to), which costs me $45. It's going to cost me at least another $25 for the prescription, and God help me if it turns out I need something expensive, because then it's going to cost me $25 + $250. So the minimum cost for something common like this will be $115, and for some it will be $390.
There are additional lower costs for lower income people, but it looks like those kick in for the out-of-pocket costs.
God help diabetics on expensive meds with low incomes. We might as well just shoot them when they walk through the door. Every time you order lancets it's a prescription, and test strips are a prescription, and insulin/etc is a prescription.
Here's the sliding benefits widget:
http://www.coveredca.com/PDFs/English/CoveredCA_HealthPlanBenefitsSummary.pdf
Yes, a 60 year old with a silver plan and $26,000 a year in income will only have to pay $156 a month for the insurance, but look at the copays for this person which you can find at the link just above.
A lot of people who actually need medical care simply will not be able to get it with this deal. And the lunatics who are claiming this will end medical bankruptcy! My God, the rate of medical BKs are going to go through the roof. The max out of pocket, not including premiums, is $5,200 a year.
So we are theorizing that this 60 year old who has income of $26,000 annually is going to have to pay $7,072 out of pocket any year with high medical costs? That's about 33% of after-tax income, isn't it? So $20,000 - $7000 leaves $13,000 in cash to live on? Pay for transportation, housing, etc?
Sorry, I'm just heartsick at what is happening to a lot of people here. This is a joke. It's not so bad for younger healthy people, but for any one with any real medical problem who isn't earning a pretty good amount, this isn't "access to health care". It isn't. It's a hospital-profit-protection-plan for required-emergency-treatment.
No one in his or her right mind would believe that many of these people will be getting the care they need. These plans aren't so bad for relatively high earners who buy the "Gold" plans (not subsidized). But lower income people won't be able to afford the copays.
Myrina
(12,296 posts)$95 out of my annual tax refund vs. $1,200/mo. & an enormous deductible for no services at all isn't a math problem even I could get wrong.
quadrature
(2,049 posts)adjust your (income tax)witholding
so you don't get a refund.
everybody wins
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)The $750.00 was a figure thrown out there a couple of years ago. Only $95.00 per adult to not be insured. I'll take that deal.
Ter
(4,281 posts)Forcing us to buy "or else" is very unConstitutional. John Roberts was wrong.
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)Well, wasn't that nice of Obama. I'm sure fucking glad I have him fighting for me.
Politicub
(12,165 posts)If you can't provide links to validate your assertions then you're just blowing smoke up everyone's ass.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)and long ago established my DU credentials. And you? (Rhetorical question, I don't give a shit.)
Here's the link I used: http://www.coveredca.com/calculating_the_cost.html
And if you think I'm going to give you my personal information on the internet you're delusional.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)http://www.factcheck.org/2012/06/how-much-is-the-obamacare-tax/
The minimum amount per person will be $695 once the tax is fully phased in. But it will be less to start. The minimum penalty per person will start at $95 in 2014, the first year that the law will require individuals to obtain coverage. And it will rise to $325 the following year.
Starting in 2017, the minimum tax per person will rise each year with inflation. And for children 18 and under, the minimum per-person tax is half of that for adults.
However, the minimum amount per family is capped at triple the per-person tax, no matter how many individuals are in the taxpayers household. So, for example, a couple with one child over 18 (or two children age 18 or under), and no coverage, would pay a minimum of $285 in 2014, $975 in 2015 and $2,085 in 2016. And that would be the minimum no matter how many uninsured dependents a taxpayer has.
Ter
(4,281 posts)It should be totally free.
Autumn Colors
(2,379 posts)I could afford this with the gov't subsidy (according to the calculator on Connecticut's website) ... BUT, that's only if I only have to pay my part of it at the time of purchase. If I have to pay the full price up front and then wait to get the gov't subsidy back at tax time, then forget it. There's no way in hell I can afford that.
My share is of the premium -- without visiting any doctors -- is calculated to be only about $40 per month. The full price without any subsidy is calculated to be $625 per month. There's no way I can pay that upfront -- not even one month's worth. Needless to say, even WITH the subsidy, I could only afford to pay this on a monthly basis. I couldn't pay the annual amount up front.
LiberalFighter
(51,226 posts)lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)premium. You do NOT have to pay the full premium and then wait for a tax return. I was very concerned about this and looked into it and was happy about what I found.
If you are in a red state with no exchange being set up, you are screwed, of course.
LiberalFighter
(51,226 posts)So I don't think anyone will be screwed up bad based on that. Personally, I think it will be better.
madrchsod
(58,162 posts)they are waiting for more information from the government before making any statement and/or policy change.
StandingInLeftField
(972 posts)...to the tune of about $1200.00 a month for individual health coverage.
The Obama administration has done an exceptionally poor job of informing the public about the ACA, and some states (especially mine) have succeeded in making a farce out of a comic situation. And on top of it all, Healthcare.gov is a joke of a website.
Looks like I'll be taking a $750.00 hit come April 15th....
Not exactly what I had in mind when I voted for Mr. Obama.
Drale
(7,932 posts)no matter how much they want to, they have to follow the law or they will be sued by the Feds and forced to implement it and pay back anything lost because of their stupidity.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)This is one of my biggest complaints about the president and this administration.
The ACA isn't perfect but it's a good law. The president, his administration, the Democrats should be out there telling the American people why this law is good.
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)For the poor, and for our party -- once the average voter realizes just how bady Obama fucked them -- it's going to be a disaster. I think most of those supporting this insanity haven't thought about what the insurance companies are going to do with this mandate down the road. Right now those companies are struggling to help make it work, while complaining bitterly to hide their glee, but once it's locked into place we are well and truly screwed.
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)It really depends upon how aggressive the feds are in enforcing the mandate. If they don't, there are alot of people that won't get insurance, and won't particularly know that they were suppose to. Those that do will get a subsidy and appreciate that to some extent. They couldn't afford insurance before, and they can now, even if they slowly realize they can't afford the deductibles or underlying costs of care. But it isn't clear to me that will translate to "blame" politically.
Of course if the feds, or the states, some how aggressively try to pursue the uninsured, especially the healthy uninsured, it could cause a fairly large backlash by people who can't afford it and don't feel they "need it".
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)They will be talking out of both sides of their mouthes of course. They'll campaign by making sure everyone knows they lost their tax refund to the Obamacare penalty -- and at the same time they'll be underfunding the assistance, raising the threshold at which assistance is available, and ramming through harsher penalties for those who refuse to buy. And why not, our party is the one left holding the bag. We're the ones who decided healthcare reform was as simple as an insurance mandate.
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)right now, if they won't subsidize your insurance. If they raise the threshold, it will mean more people aren't subject to the mandate. That would actually reduce the backlash. Well, except for those people who wanted the insurance, but couldn't get it.
hopemountain
(3,919 posts)the states - who ultimately decide exactly how their citizens will be able to implement the ACA.
Liberal_Stalwart71
(20,450 posts)a public announcement campaign, etc. whatever it takes to inform the public. This is a HUGE change in health care policy. There should've been more effort to educate folks rather than allow the right wing and a complicit corporate media write and push this narrative.
It's a great accomplishment by the administration. They need to tell people how great it is. Not perfect, but great nonetheless.
Safetykitten
(5,162 posts)We are entering the twilight zone, as the crazy shit this debacle will unleash just before January 1st will be freaking nuts.
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)When you are poor, tax credits don't mean much, because you literally live paycheck to paycheck. Subsidies are a much better way to go.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)LiberalFighter
(51,226 posts)Too many are spouting off crap they know nothing about.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Do the searches at that InsuranceQuotes.com and see what comes up, the yearly deductables are crazy high for some age groups. The monthly premiums are to high for a couple of 'free exams'. Any insurance that includes dental and eye exams is unafordable for most Americans.
America really needs Medicaid for all ages and a couple more NON-Profit insurance providers.
How about opening the trained military healthcare system, all the VA hospitals, all the Military Doctors and Medicare/Medicaid to all Americans for a premium on a bell curve. These systems are already in place, use them.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)Doesn't this depend upon the provider chosen? My wife works for Kaiser, and they have had an ongoing emphasis on improving patient access, which is already very good. It is at the top of the goals list at her facility, and within the regional system.
LiberalFighter
(51,226 posts)that leaves those w/o insurance thinking that way? Well that seems to be a problem with that logic. They likely didn't have tests and procedures done before so what time reference are they using? Or maybe it has been ages since they last had any done.
LiberalFighter
(51,226 posts)Meaning doing only necessary that it should relieve the load so it doesn't take as long.
Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)Try to keep people well, rather than having to treat preventable diseases. That is designed to lower long-term costs, and improve the general level of health among its membership.
maxsolomon
(33,440 posts)What's "timely"? 1 day vs. 2? They're buying GOP BS about Canadian health care.
Adsos Letter
(19,459 posts)I'm only familiar with the Kaiser system, so I really can't speak to any other healthcare organizations, or insurance providers.
In the interest of full disclosure: I've been a Kaiser member since I was a kid covered under my dad's CDF benefit, and my wife has worked for them going on 20 years now. Still, I do have a lot of familiarity with their ongoing efforts to rise to the top in terms of value of cost for service, access, preventive healthcare, and community involvement. And, as part of my benefits through the Kaiser Permanante HealthConnect system I have easy access to my medical records, e-mail to my doctors, lab results, etc., plus their on-line library of health-related articles and data.
Plus, at least in my wife's service area, they have very good rapport and cooperation with Labor.
I guess I probably sound like a booster for Kaiser. I've just been really happy with the care they've provided through several very serious illnesses, and the routine stuff, too.
And, I've had a front-row seat to my wife's involvement in the company's larger efforts to become a top notch provider.
nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)so I don't think I can get the subsidy that I qualify for. I can't afford it without the subsidy. In fact, I would probably qualify for Medicaid if the state would expand it as some others are doing. I would love to have access to something, even if there is some cost involved.
konnie
(44 posts)it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that the reason the working poor, the majority of the uninsured and young people will not buy insurance is quite obvious. for all the yammering on both sides the fact that gets their attention is the $95 penalty for NOT buying on the exchanges. They have been running the risk for a long time. they have no clue what a policy would cost, cover or protect them from. $95, they could probably cough that up if they had to. an unknown and rising monthly premium, unknown co-pays, 80-20 balances versus $95? they may be uninsured, but they aren't dumb.
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)A large number of people will pay the tax out of their tax refund I suspect, and may not evey really realize it. They'll fill out their 10-40EZ and it will tell them to deduct $95 and they'll get some nominal refund and go off an buy a new case for their iPod.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)Healthy ones will not. My hope is that dumping the sick back on private insurers through the ACA will drive private health insurers out of the market. My hope is that health insurance will become unprofitable. That's the fastest way that I can see to get us to a single-payer system.
btw, welcome to DU.
-Laelth
zipplewrath
(16,646 posts)more than 2/3rds of Americans are already insured, regardless of Obamacare. And the ACA was specifically designed not to interfere much with that. Some portion willl have their employers mess around with their insurance and they'll have to engage the exchanges, and some folks currently purchasing private plans will engage the exchanges, and may actually get a subsidy, although they may not fully understand the amount of the subsidy. Some may actually start getting employer based plans that didn't have them before too.
Humanist_Activist
(7,670 posts)it sucks and is one of those high deductible plans, oh, and there's no choices, which also sucks, and it still costs 200 bucks a month.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)for a car accident or other emergency. So those who do pay into the system will foot the additional costs. That's why SP should have been part of the negotiation, as we were promised during Campaign 2008.
OTOH if Hate Radio and Fox "News" have convinced half of America of a lie like this, then their exercise of their right to free speech has become a public health menace, and it is time for the government to do something about them. This is very close to yelling fire in a crowded room.
Brace yourselves, real Americans. The manufactured hatred of the ACA may finally spark the cleansing that we have been in need of for 30 years.