N4mddissent
Active Member
- Sep 30, 2008
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On page 16 of the House bill: private insurance will become illegal. Insurance companies cannot write new policies, people will lose their existing policy if they change jobs, if they change coverage, or if they change prices. Once any aspect of your private health insurance changes after this bill goes into effect, you can't renew it. You have to go public option.
Okay, I took the time to read this section and I'm not sure how you came to that understanding.
Starting on page 16, the section in question states the rules for maintaining current coverage (rules to "grandfather" current coverage). It states that you can maintain your current coverage as long as:
You already have your coverage the day before the bill goes into effect and dependents of those who have coverage on the day before the bill goes into effect can also be covered.
If the insurance company attempts to change your policy or increase your rates- except for general premium increases approved by the insurance commissioner- then the policy loses its grandfathered status.
(Since a reduction in benefits or a hike in your premium would in effect change the current policy the individual chose to keep, they have not kept the same coverage due to the actions of the insurance company, not the government. I believe this is primarily intended to dissuade insurance companies from abusing customers who choose to stay with them.)
There is a 5 year grace period for current employment based health plans. After the 5 year period, they must meet the standards of a qualified health plan, including the essential benefits package.
(Part of the healthcare bill establishes minimal standards for insurance coverage which insurance companies must meet. This is a quality control measure to prevent health insurance from leaving large gaps in coverage, creating policy holders that are little better than uninsured, or not covering serious conditions that often are the biggest financial strain on hospitals and citizens.)
Individual policies that are not grandfathered, can only be purchased through the Health Insurance Exchange.
(The Health Insurance Exchange is a program which will be a one-stop shop for health insurance. It will require standardization of benefits packages so it is easier to compare prices and content. Plans purchased through the exchange will be subsidized to lower cost for individuals making up to 400% of the poverty level- about $43,000 for individuals, $88,000 for a family of four. The public plan option will also be offered through the Exchange, but would be just one option and not required for anyone to purchase or required to receive subsidized coverage.)
So basically your comment, "you have to go public option" is just ignorance or bullshit as far as I can tell. Did you really come to that conclusion on your own? Perhaps I'm wrong. I will be more than happy to apologize if you would just quote the section that led you to this conclusion. I am fallible and may have missed it.If the insurance company attempts to change your policy or increase your rates- except for general premium increases approved by the insurance commissioner- then the policy loses its grandfathered status.
(Since a reduction in benefits or a hike in your premium would in effect change the current policy the individual chose to keep, they have not kept the same coverage due to the actions of the insurance company, not the government. I believe this is primarily intended to dissuade insurance companies from abusing customers who choose to stay with them.)
There is a 5 year grace period for current employment based health plans. After the 5 year period, they must meet the standards of a qualified health plan, including the essential benefits package.
(Part of the healthcare bill establishes minimal standards for insurance coverage which insurance companies must meet. This is a quality control measure to prevent health insurance from leaving large gaps in coverage, creating policy holders that are little better than uninsured, or not covering serious conditions that often are the biggest financial strain on hospitals and citizens.)
Individual policies that are not grandfathered, can only be purchased through the Health Insurance Exchange.
(The Health Insurance Exchange is a program which will be a one-stop shop for health insurance. It will require standardization of benefits packages so it is easier to compare prices and content. Plans purchased through the exchange will be subsidized to lower cost for individuals making up to 400% of the poverty level- about $43,000 for individuals, $88,000 for a family of four. The public plan option will also be offered through the Exchange, but would be just one option and not required for anyone to purchase or required to receive subsidized coverage.)