Comments on: How much more you’ll pay for health care in 2010

By: Jarkataionmepa

Jarkataionmepa — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:50:19 +0000

Two Things:

If you are uninsured and run up a big bill, they rarely ever go after you for the full amount. They will write off a certain amount and develop a one year no interest payment plan or longer with interest. Most of the time, people refuse to pay and it goes to collections. The rest of us pick that up in extra costs passed down to insured customers in one shape or another. They call this process “chipping”.

Jerry – The coinsurance plan you have doesn’t sound correct on the amounts. Do not get “Bills’ or Explanation of Benfits confused with the final cost. I am confused by the numbers you presented.

If the EEOB showed a bill of $6400, then a $2,000 deductible that would equal $4400 then the 20% coinsurance (I assume the were a netrok provider). That would add about $880. That would make the employee’s responsibility $2880.

It sounds like a broker issue than an insurance issue. The more risk you or your employee assumes, the cheaper the prmeium. I would assume the broker was trying to get you a “great” price and failed to explain the pitfalls or scenarios of these type of plans. These plans are generally very good for people who can manage their finances and want to put back saved premiums for the worst case scenario or for an employer that will cover the deducdtible using premiums savings saved as well.

Insurance companies offer all kinds of plans. if the premium is super cheap, you will have to assume you are taking most of the risks. The devil is in the details. I see this as the Broker’s responsibilty.

By: RandiG

RandiG — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:31:53 +0000

We’re also lucky to have an agent in that top 5% — he makes my life much easier.

By: Randy

Randy — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:30:19 +0000

I am stunned and shocked that for two years running (09 & 10) we have 0% in increases. In both years the carrier proposed increases, 3% & 3.5% respectively, which we appealed. In both cases they backed down to zero. We’re with Blue Cross in Louisiana.

We have an excellent agent. An insurance agent once told me that 90% of the people in his profession didn’t know what they were selling and of the remaining 10%, half couldn’t tell the truth if their life depended on it. If you get an agent in that remaining top 5%, they can make a big difference in your insurance future. Ours did.

By: Rhea

Rhea — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:09:34 +0000

Our rates, keeping the same plan, are 23% higher. I’m just trying to figure out if that’s out of line with other increases. It seems to be…

By: RandiG

RandiG — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:14:20 +0000

Rates are rates, but a good broker will shop your business to a lot of different carriers and negotiate with them to keep your increases as minimal as possible. There are better rates and new possibilities out there. If your broker isn’t on your side, you definitely need to shop other brokers.

By: Rhea

Rhea — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:32:32 +0000

We are community rated in DC, we go through a broker and are facing increases upwards of 20%. Seems higher than normal. Should we be shopping other brokers in addition to other plans?

By: Lee

Lee — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:20:26 +0000

Wow – feeling fortunate after reading so many of the replies. This is our 5th renewal on our consumer-driven HRA plan. First three years – no increase. Last year 5%. 2010 is already signed at 0%. Didnt even take it to market. Some employees still despise the hra’s tho. They want great coverage and that only comes with pricey premiums. Think of it as your auto insurance….would you really try to turn in a visit for a tune-up or oil change or a busted headlight lens?? Insurance should be there for debt protection – not cost protection.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:55:44 +0000

We have the BCBS 80/20 plan with a $2000 deductible in New Mexico. One of our employees was injured over Labor Day weekend (not work related) and went to the ER. WIth the 80/20, they are now responsible for about $7000 of bils on top of the $2000 deductible. Apparently there is no cap on the 20% the insured is required to pay. We are a small company with 8 employees and relied on our insurance agent to find us an affordable plan so that we could provide insurance at all. Boy, was this a surprise to all of us. The worst was that initially the ER thought the employee had no insurance (as he was in shock when admitted and did not have his ins card in his wallet) and sent him a bill for $5200. Once they processed his insurance, the bill was MORE…$6400…does this make any sense? Then he got the surgeons bill…same scenario. The system is broken and will break small businesses too if something doesn’t change.

By: Marilyn in NJ

Marilyn in NJ — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 17:04:24 +0000

Cindy, I am an HR Manager in South Jersey and have Horizon BC/BS. Our rate increases have never been like yours and we have not received our 2010 renewal rate yet.

How do you have such a great plan with those copays. Are you self rated or small enough to be Community Rated?

By: HRdetroit

HRdetroit — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:56:22 +0000

Wow, Cindy! No deductible??

We have a $250/$500 deductible; $20 office co-pay, $100 ER co-pay (unless admitted); just about everything else is 100%. We have a 3-tier prescription plan through BCBS as well, which is included in the renewal.

In July of this year, we increased EE contributions to 5% of the monthly premium (about $24 for singles, $54 for couples, and $65 for families). Prior to that, single EEs paid nothing for coverage, and EEs with dependents paid $25/month.