Steerpike

Anyone working for a company (and therefore getting 'group' healthcare) should consider themselves lucky. I'm now semi-retired / self-employed, and my only 'legal' option is an ACA plan, which is running about $1,100 / mo (as a 59 year old).

I've actually chosen to go with an 'illegal' option - non-ACA compliant, 'short term' (3 month duration, but 'chained' to effectively cover 12 months). Deductible is something like $5k PER 3 MONTHS - so worst case, $20k per year (!). $1M max coverage; no guarantee of continued coverage if I get sick (!) after the the conclusion of the first 12 months; no preventive stuff at all (no checkups, etc). For this I pay about $500/mo. So I'm saving about $600/mo in premiums, but I'll have to pay for annual physical out of pocket. I will be penalized about $700 or 2.5% of income, whichever is greater, by going with this 'illegal' option.

What a sorry state of affairs!

I'm going to reconsider my options next year. I can go with an ACA plan (if they are still available) and possibly get a subsidy. Ironically, if I can hold my income to below a certain amount (I forget, but around $40k I believe) then I can get a healthy subsidy.

scrubbedexpat099

Best to be cash rich income poor, last time I looked there was quite a wide band where the effective tax rate was well over 100% due to OCare.

Anyway isn't this the last year it has a tax penalty? Perhaps more options will open up.

Giantaxe

An easy legislative fix but we all know why it didn't happen.

I think last year was. However, the tax law didn't pass until after the sign up period ended for this year's policies. This will help undermine the ACA even more as will these short term plans, which can now be renewed for up to three years. Well, except in California, where such plans have now been banned.

The usual great analysis from KFF:

https://www.kff.org/health-reform/is...urance-market/

Tazley

Does anyone know the projected premium increases in BCBS Bronze plans in Florida for 2019 or is this information embargoed until 1st Nov? As a couple of 57 & 52 we pay $1000 per month for a bronze plan with a $7200 annual deductable each. Even more depressing is that I still hear about people who are insured having to make up shortfalls and having long battles with insurers at the point of claim.

scrubbedexpat099

Seems this year they could be pretty level overall, does not do anything to the massive increases.

Steerpike

I am an AZ resident this year (2018), but I may be able to re-base myself in CA for 2019 due to some new developments in my life. I would expect that I'll have better 'ACA compliant' options in CA compared to AZ, even though they've taken away the short-term, non-compliant option. I thank my lucky stars that I'm still healthy at 59, and only have to worry about catastrophic / emergency coverage.

civilservant

Just had our new plan for 2019 announced. No changes to anything, including price except the specialist copay which is reducing to $50.

Tazley

By coincidence renewal paperwork arrived today, premium up from $993 to $1237 for a Blue Cross bronze plan in Fl. It has though made my wifes day she says as she hopes that its a good reason to go home now-}

scrubbedexpat099

The important issue I guess that it remains affordable. Obviously this term must mean something different in American English.