Healthcare costs and the future

[PrincessFiona]

This topic coincidentally coincides with the govt. shutdown. I promise there is no intentional connection on my part. I'm putting this in the debate forum because of the chance that this might become a debate. I might be wrong.

Thomas got a system email today. Our out-of-pocket deductible went up slightly, which is no big deal. We went from 1700 to 1800. They told us in the email though that after this year, the out-of-pocket will go up to an average of $4430. WTH? Seriously, at those levels, who can afford to be sick or stay well? Is anyone else getting any similar information? In the email, they told us that the reason our increase didn't hit this year is because of a 3-year cap they had signed. They said that this year, other MN physician families went up already to an average of $4,430.

Are you seeing increased deductibles like this?

This comes at a time when the hospital is debating its ability to survive as a system.

Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum (let's try and set politics aside) it seems like healthcare costs are simply going to be unmanageable. What will people do?

Kris

[ides]

I'm not really knowledgable enough to argue anything, however the insurance companies greed had got to stop! They need to be non-profit and controlled, period.

[SoonerTexan]

They need to be non-profit and controlled, period

That's essentially government run healthcare...

I'm scared to see what ours will be. I've played around on the insurance calculators available to those who are now able to buy insurance with Obamacare--it's not going to be a cheap or easy addition to the budget.

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

They told us in the email though that after this year, the out-of-pocket will go up to an average of $4430. WTH? Seriously, at those levels, who can afford to be sick or stay well? Is anyone else getting any similar information? In the email, they told us that the reason our increase didn't hit this year is because of a 3-year cap they had signed. They said that this year, other MN physician families went up already to an average of $4,430.

That's insane/scary!

[PrincessFiona]

That's insane/scary!

Quote from them: "More information will follow"

Uhh... okay.

[poky]

not to pick nits, but do you usually hit your out of pocket max every year? Only reason I ever have is because of major surgery.

[houseelf]

Doing some very quick math in my head, but holy shit, does that mean you could potentially pay over 23K in out-of-pocket expenses for your family of 7 ?

That's crazy. Holy crap!

[SoonerTexan]

I thought the deductible and max are two separate things

[GrayMatterWife]

Our deductibles have gone up a lot, our monthly cost has remain about the same (nominal increase, nothing unexpected). However, my mom's former company from which she retired just eliminated the option of buying supplemental insurance for it retiree and dumped them into the exchange with a supplement. My parents are devastated, as they got their supplemental insurance through my mkm's former employer. So much for "if you like your insurance, you can keep it." Two people we know were forced into part-time status by their service-industry employer, and will lose their insurance. They are both trying to get other full-time work with bennies. They are both in their 20s and they are educated, so they stand a reasonably good shot.

I know no one who is happy about post-ObamaCare insurance...but then, I also don't know a whole lot of people who were happy before. It was expensive before and ObamaCare has done nothing, at least in the short term, to defray costs.

[mommax3]

We have a very high deductible ($12,000.00) (because DH's practice is essentially a small business) and we try to keep that amount in our HSA. We pay about $340 a month for our premium and preventative care in-network is covered. I had an ER visit and 23 hr. hospital stay in early August, and there went the HSA! I really wish I would have just gone home and taken it easy....next time I will!

[WolfpackWife]

I will willingly admit that I know and understand so little about this system and about Obamacare in general (not for lack of trying - I just find it to be so confusing) - so these threads are helpful to sort through and get some information.

But above all else...some of these unknowns with health insurance and the entire health care system are so fucking scary to me. Probably more so because I get so confused but...jesus.

[SuzySunshine]

We have not received our 2014 information but this scares me! Our deductibles are $3/$6k for in/out of network. We put the max allowed in our HSA and the company also makes a contribution. We have one of the cheaper plans the hospital offers because of our "high" deductible.

Several friends are using the state exchanges and are very happy with them, one is a doc in Seattle and one is a hairstylist in KS.

[v-girl]

Found this question posed on another board:

So in order to obtain the insurance or seek treatment the individual will need to present a government issued photo ID. My question is, will Holder sue Obama for disenfranchising people?

:giggle:

[moonlight]

...

[HouseofWool]

Maybe I am naive, but I don't' get the arguement that people don't have the ability to get a government issued photo id. I had to do it when I lived in Brazil. It wasn't a big deal. Unless you are physically homebound (illness or the like), there is a way if you are determined enough. Or, in an extremely rural location where the nearest DMV is hours away. But that isn't the vast majority of those complaining about it. And in WI, the cost is $28 for 8 years.