ACA application woes, anyone?
Nov 19th 2014 | 3:03 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,678
From: San Francisco Bay Area
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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?
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?
Nov 19th 2014 | 4:06 pm
#17
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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?
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?
Nov 19th 2014 | 4:31 pm
#18
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,678
From: San Francisco Bay Area
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
Only grandfathered plans that were purchased before March 23, 2010 don't have to be ACA compliant.
This means that on many old plans you can still be dropped from coverage for reasons other than fraud, be denied treatment for preexisting conditions, face annual and lifetime dollar limits and more. The President has announced a plan to allow Americans to keep their health insurance until 2015 (UPDATE: in 2014 this was extended to 2017) even if it doesn’t comply with the new benefits, rights, and protections of the ACA. Some States with working health insurance marketplaces, like Washington State, have rejected the new 2015 deadline and will enforce the original 2014 deadline.
Grandfathered Plans
This means that on many old plans you can still be dropped from coverage for reasons other than fraud, be denied treatment for preexisting conditions, face annual and lifetime dollar limits and more. The President has announced a plan to allow Americans to keep their health insurance until 2015 (UPDATE: in 2014 this was extended to 2017) even if it doesn’t comply with the new benefits, rights, and protections of the ACA. Some States with working health insurance marketplaces, like Washington State, have rejected the new 2015 deadline and will enforce the original 2014 deadline.
Grandfathered Plans
Nov 20th 2014 | 3:53 am
#19
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 96
From: California
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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).
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).
Nov 20th 2014 | 4:20 am
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 13,212
From: San Francisco
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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).
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).
Nov 26th 2014 | 8:37 am
#21
Thread Starter
Under blue skies
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,624
From: East Anglia->New England
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
OMG, what a relief! 
After days of trying off & on, I finally got through to a real human being who was actually able to access my online application, and she has fixed the glitches.
It seems I am eligible for subsidies. My husband is in shock over this, and wants me to call up again tomorrow so he can verify this is true. I've meanwhile been browsing the plans offered to me. Confusing doesn't begin to cover it, so I'm glad I have a little time for research.....
After days of trying off & on, I finally got through to a real human being who was actually able to access my online application, and she has fixed the glitches.It seems I am eligible for subsidies. My husband is in shock over this, and wants me to call up again tomorrow so he can verify this is true. I've meanwhile been browsing the plans offered to me. Confusing doesn't begin to cover it, so I'm glad I have a little time for research.....
Nov 26th 2014 | 8:51 am
#22
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,678
From: San Francisco Bay Area
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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.
By keeping them off the exchange, they may get a few people that go directly to the insurance company and buy the expensive plans where they'll likely make a lot of money and a few for the cheaper plans to allow them to test the water.
Nov 27th 2014 | 5:14 am
#23
Thread Starter
Under blue skies
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,624
From: East Anglia->New England
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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" ....
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" ....
Nov 27th 2014 | 5:22 am
#24
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,511
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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" ....
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" ....
Nov 27th 2014 | 5:34 am
#25
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,678
From: San Francisco Bay Area
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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" ....
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" ....
Nov 29th 2014 | 1:55 am
#26
Thread Starter
Under blue skies
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,624
From: East Anglia->New England
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
And thank you muchly, Nutmegger, for advising me to be patient and keep trying the ACA help number....
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. :-/
Nov 29th 2014 | 4:47 am
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,678
From: San Francisco Bay Area
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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.... 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. :-/
And thank you muchly, Nutmegger, for advising me to be patient and keep trying the ACA help number....
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. :-/
Nov 29th 2014 | 1:06 pm
#28
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
How can it make sense? Like buying insurance to pay for your oil change.
Now if someone else is paying for it or part of it fair enough.
Now if someone else is paying for it or part of it fair enough.
Nov 29th 2014 | 11:25 pm
#29
Thread Starter
Under blue skies
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,624
From: East Anglia->New England
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
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.
Thank you, Michael, for your generous & helpful posts on this topic.
Nov 30th 2014 | 1:31 am
#30
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,511
Re: ACA application woes, anyone?
So glad that you eventually got sorted out with the ACA stuff -- my OH has got his squared away now, too.
I had dental insurance from my employer's health plan, just once, many decades ago. Since then, I just pay for all my dental care out of pocket. As to eye care -- as I mentioned, I see an MD who specializes in eyes for my annual eye test, and that is covered by my health insurance, so your more serious eye checkups would seem certain to be covered.
