Originally Posted by kins (Post 11478230)

Once I managed to reset my password (having got myself locked out by entering the wrong one several times) I've had no problems so far.

I've set up an application for me and the kids. Removed the kids from it. Added my citizenship certificate number which I hadn't put in originally.

Now I just need to choose a plan and enroll. Is this the stage where it's going wrong for people?

Originally Posted by WEBlue (Post 11476295)

I know there's already a thread entitled Obamacare, but that seems to have devolved into a political discussion.... My problem is with the nuts & bolts of the ACA application itself.

The husband (retired) & I have health coverage through a European subsidiary of his former international employer, and it's expensive as well as cumbersome to use in this country. Plus it doesn't cover some preventative stuff that the ACA seems to cover.

Last year I tried to explore possibilities under the ACA & got nowhere very fast on the website. This year I got a bit further in before my application bollocksed itself up. I've so far rung two "help" numbers, both of which seem to say the "help" I need MUST be provided by the persons at the other number.... Sigh...

Anyone else ready to tear their hair out over this?

Originally Posted by Boiler (Post 11478254)

Is the current plan!an Obama compliant?

Originally Posted by a18ion (Post 11478819)

Another anomaly I've encountered is that the CA exchange/marketplace doesn't actually represent the market. If you go direct to the Ins Co's websites they offer both On-market and Off-market plans. Why? Is there less consumer protection in the off-market plans? Does CA limit the number a plans an Ins Co can offer on the exchange?

The result is that, if you want to see all the options, you have to go beyond the marketplace and check out Ins Co websites. (This assumes you're not getting a subsidy, where you are limited to the exchange plans).

Originally Posted by Giantaxe (Post 11478855)

Afaik, your last line explains the only difference - only plans available on an exchange are eligible for subsidies. As to why an insurance company would have plans that aren't available on the exchange, I don't know. There is certainly no legal requirement on them to do so.

Originally Posted by WEBlue (Post 11486252)

So I can't see any dental or eye components to the subsidized plans I am offered. Perhaps these health care aspects are handled differently?

How are people doing these? As add-ons? Some friends told us they self-pay for all dental work because the dental plans are not worth the premiums.

I do need regular eye exams for an eye condition I have, and back in blighty this was handled by any optometrist, but I can't figure out whether in this country this coverage normally falls under "medical care" or "eye care" ....

Originally Posted by WEBlue (Post 11486252)

So I can't see any dental or eye components to the subsidized plans I am offered. Perhaps these health care aspects are handled differently?

How are people doing these? As add-ons? Some friends told us they self-pay for all dental work because the dental plans are not worth the premiums.

I do need regular eye exams for an eye condition I have, and back in blighty this was handled by any optometrist, but I can't figure out whether in this country this coverage normally falls under "medical care" or "eye care" ....

Originally Posted by Nutmegger (Post 11486261)

Dental would be an add-on (if the carrier offers it at all) -- I don't know anyone who has dental coverage. I see an MD (who specializes in eyes) for my vision care and it is billed and covered as a medical expense.

Originally Posted by Michael (Post 11486272)

Normally anything outside of normal vision care is covered under the health insurance plan.

Originally Posted by WEBlue (Post 11487684)

So this means you are paying out of pocket (self paying?) for all dental stuff such as cleanings, checkups, fillings, etc.?

And thank you muchly, Nutmegger, for advising me to be patient and keep trying the ACA help number.... :thumbup: I was becoming certain that no one would ever answer and I didn't want to run my phone credit down by staying on hold for hours. So I did keep trying quick calls whenever I could, and finally--days later--I got through to a very helpful person who solved my online application problems & walked me through the rest of the process.


Hmm, I don't know whether this would be in or out of normal vision care in the USA. I had surgery for a detaching retina, and need regular retina checks. I suppose I could call the insurance company directly & ask. :-/

Originally Posted by Michael (Post 11487782)

With a detached retina issue, normally you need an ophthalmologist to examine the eye, take pictures, and compare against your last check and that normally is not considered normal vision care. Vision care normally only consists of a $60-$80 eye test and eye check plus glasses or contact lens.

Originally Posted by WEBlue (Post 11487684)

So this means you are paying out of pocket (self paying?) for all dental stuff such as cleanings, checkups, fillings, etc.?

And thank you muchly, Nutmegger, for advising me to be patient and keep trying the ACA help number.... :thumbup: :-/