Who else is dealing with taxes after enrolling in the Afforable Healthcare Scam?

[dud]

I did my taxes last night and was asked (by my tax software) about participating in the Non-affordable healthcare act and cringed ... I know others who REALLY cannot afford healthcare through Obama's travesty act ... and now they are going to pay a penalty for being too poor to afford it!

Shame, America, shame ...

 

[crashtech]

I agree the ACA is screwed up.

On a separate note, it helps to shop around. I can get a blood draw and CBC for about $150 cash price at the local labs.

Funny thing about that is most providers have no idea how much their services even cost. I paid cash for all my health care for a long time, and it was easy to see one of the big reasons costs are out of control. There is simply no downward price pressure at all from consumers, like there is in almost every other service industry.

 

[maddogchen]

Funny thing about that is most providers have no idea how much their services even cost. I paid cash for all my health care for a long time, and it was easy to see one of the big reasons costs are out of control. There is simply no downward price pressure at all from consumers, like there is in almost every other service industry.

Medicare and insurances keep costs down. Although I don't know if insurances pass the cost savings to you

 

[crashtech]

Medicare and insurances keep costs down. Although I don't know if insurances pass the cost savings to you

Not at all like they can in other industries, for instance hourly repair rates for collision repair are universally lower than they are for mechanical work. Most collision work is insurance, and most mechanical work is customer pay. Insurance companies have been much more successful at that because it's one thing to repair your vehicle with cut-rate parts and procedures, and another thing entirely to attempt that on a human. There's no incentive for anyone to accept anything but first-rate care, and no incentive for providers to offer anything but the highest priced procedure they can.

It was always my assertion that I was a guy looking for Chevrolet health care in a world that only sells Cadillacs. When you can't afford the best, you make do with what you can afford, but that mindset is virtually nonexistent in healthcare.

 

[destrekor]

I did my taxes last night and was asked (by my tax software) about participating in the Non-affordable healthcare act and cringed ... I know others who REALLY cannot afford healthcare through Obama's travesty act ... and now they are going to pay a penalty for being too poor to afford it!

Shame, America, shame ...

Are they poor enough to qualify for Medicaid?

Hopefully they get all this straightened out soon enough. If we are going to go through with this, we need to not timidly test the waters, rather just plunge in and fight for the surface. Government health care either needs to be apart of the government tax system, fully invested and provided to everyone, or the federal- and state-sponsored system needs to be regulated in the style of car insurance for most states. If the former, costs will be far more controlled. If the latter, they still need to work on how to get medical providers to drop the game of maximizing profit and get down to realistic numbers for services rendered.

I used to be for small government, until I realized that markets do not self regulate in the favor of the many when they are entrenched in a defacto corporate oligarchy. I like minimal regulation, but that regulation must occur when and where it is most required if the desired effect is to benefit the public most efficiently and expediently.

 

[destrekor]

Not at all like they can in other industries, for instance hourly repair rates for collision repair are universally lower than they are for mechanical work. Most collision work is insurance, and most mechanical work is customer pay. Insurance companies have been much more successful at that because it's one thing to repair your vehicle with cut-rate parts and procedures, and another thing entirely to attempt that on a human. There's no incentive for anyone to accept anything but first-rate care, and no incentive for providers to offer anything but the highest priced procedure they can.

It was always my assertion that I was a guy looking for Chevrolet health care in a world that only sells Cadillacs. When you can't afford the best, you make do with what you can afford, but that mindset is virtually nonexistent in healthcare.

Well, it is, when the medical insurance is fully government controlled. Then, medical providers simply can't get away with asking the unrealistic figures they demand.

Numerous studies have compared the cost in the USA to that of, well, every other developed "Western" country, and the costs in the USA were at least double if not far higher than the same exact service or procedure elsewhere.

 

[WelshBloke]

It costs a shit ton for almost nothing. You should see an insurance company statement.

Hospital bills $2578

Insurance company...

We pay 2% of that procedure
disallowed, no
no
3%
LoLno!
no
2%

amount paid to hospital...

$180

and everyone is happy with that. I want the fuckin' $180 from the start, and you can shove the copay up your ass, since billing isn't required. I'm paying American greenbacks right now, and that savings to your company can cover the copay.

Lol, thats not what I meant.

It costs a crap ton to keep someone in hospital over here as well. We just all chip in on the grounds that it might be us one day.

I'd say that the costs were the same but you seem to have some special need to push the whole capitalist thing as a matter of dogma which skews everything.

 

[EliteRetard]

I wish that kind of plan was offered here, as that sounds much like the major medical plan I had that has since been canceled, 5k deductible ppo for $92/month. Now I am stuck with the lowest cost crappy plan with a 6k deductible, hmo at $186/month. Nope, not one bit pissed about that....but it covers that yearly $100 checkup...

employer sponsored PPO...

$177 month gets me $900 deductible, 100% preventative 80% other (yes I know it's not THAT great but goddamn it's better than a 5k deductible).

What's a PPO?

Sounds like rates are highly variable, what do they just spin a wheel?

 

[mrjminer]

employer sponsored PPO...

$177 month gets me $900 deductible, 100% preventative 80% other (yes I know it's not THAT great but goddamn it's better than a 5k deductible).

That isn't a bad deductible. With 80%, you only really have to worry about the out of pocket maximum for when major problems occur.

 

[IronWing]

What's a PPO?

Sounds like rates are highly variable, what do they just spin a wheel?

Preferred Provider Organization. The insurance company has doctors/hospitals/etc that they negotiate rates with in advance.

Rates vary wildly based on location. If you live in a large urban area with lots of competition, you'll likely pay less than in a rural area with few providers.

 

[EliteRetard]

Aha, thank you.

I'm guessing then I have some stupid crap like that. Suppose that means I need to find out and then figure out which hospital I'm allowed to use. But I'd rather die.

 

[mrjminer]

Aha, thank you.

I'm guessing then I have some stupid crap like that. Suppose that means I need to find out and then figure out which hospital I'm allowed to use. But I'd rather die.

PPOs will usually still cover out of network, but at a lower percentage coinsurance. Not sure if it counts toward out of pocket maximum, however. Don't know much about insurance :awe:

 

[EliteRetard]

PPOs will usually still cover out of network, but at a lower percentage coinsurance. Not sure if it counts toward out of pocket maximum, however. Don't know much about insurance :awe:

And I have no idea what you just said, can you translate into english?

 

[tnt118]

And I have no idea what you just said, can you translate into english?

While in network may be 80/20 coverage, out of network may be 50/50. And the money you spend in that situation may not count towards the yearly deductible.

 

[mrjminer]

And I have no idea what you just said, can you translate into english?

Your insurance is going to have two separate types of coverage: in-network and out-of-network. They should be clearly labeled on whatever documentation your insurance gives you. Usually, it's two columns. Your in-network providers (ie: medical providers your insurance has a formal agreement with) will have a percent by each service classification, and your out-of-network providers (ie: everyone else) will have a percentage next to that which dictates how much of a percent the insurance will cover for those services after the deductible, and up to the out-of-pocket maximum, after which the insurance company will foot the bill 100% (though, like I said, I am not sure if out-of-network providers count towards the out-of-pocket maximums or if you always have to pay your percentage) in most instances (basically, as long as the price is in-line with what they expect and the doctor isn't trying to rape them for money).

For instance (assuming you have hit your deductible and your co-insurance -- the amount you/your insurance will split for the visit -- has kicked in):

You go to an in-network provider for major medical care. The bill is $5000. Your insurance says "80%" in the column that describes that particular type of care. You will have to pay $1000, and your insurance will pay $4000. The $1000 will count toward your out-of-pocket maximum (assuming there is no asterisk by the type of service with a disclaimer that those types of service don't count toward the OOPM). Assuming your OOPM is $3000, you are now only responsible for another $2000 in total medical expenses for the year until your insurance will start footing the bills 100% for the remainder of the year.

If you had gone to an out-of-network provider for the same care, your insurance might have only covered 60% of it, because they have no formal agreement with that particular provider, and you would have had to pay $2000 at that time instead of $1000.

Also note that most insurance plans have a clause that states they will only pay for what is considered reasonable prices and medically necessary. So, additionally, if some doctor out of your network charges $500 over what the insurance company deems a fair price, you may have to pay that entire $500 yourself, regardless of whether you have hit your OOPM. I think the same applies for in-network.

Again, I'm not 100% if out of network counts towards your OOPM. I have some insurance shit right next to me from the job I am starting, but I am way too fucking lazy to reach over five feet to get it and look.

 

[OverVolt]

woot for government healthcare! It was a quick button selection on turbotax and I was done with that nonsense.

Never thought I'd utter the words "woot for government healthcare"... in an exclamatory style, no less. Yeesh. Someone slap me... Tricare Reserve is, well... not bad, from my perspective at least. It's probably a pain in the ass from the provider's view point.

Yea except it disqualifies pretty much everyone from filing the 1040 EZ anymore and so you probably paid out the arse to file your taxes. It went up from free to $85 for someone I know. Have yet to file my taxes.

Anyway I got employer insurance and get to call up and cancel my obamacare coverage this week. It's going to be awesome.

 

[OverVolt]

For those of you who willfully forego insurance and are not wealthy, please die before going to the hospital for treatments you don't have the ability to pay for.

Thanks,
An insured person

You can pay cash or finance it. What you really mean is homeless people who use the ER as their doctors office, please die. Its a bigger problem than just healthcare. Using an IRS penalty to solve poverty, don't make me laugh.

I'm in the same boat as the OP and have been ranting and raving for quite awhile. People were just TOO STUPID to see it coming until it actually hit their wallet. So dumb. This is the first year the penalty takes effect. Its only 1% of income. Just wait until its 3% of income for 2017.

This is gonna ruin college students finances already worse than it already is. Thank god I already graduated. I wouldn't go, if I were a highschooler atm. I'd go into trades.

 

[OverVolt]

Aha, thank you.

I'm guessing then I have some stupid crap like that. Suppose that means I need to find out and then figure out which hospital I'm allowed to use. But I'd rather die.

In an actual emergency most hospitals will accept any plan. It pretty much varies hospital by hospital. Most hospitals have a web page saying which plans they prefer to work with. In my area most hospitals prefer BCBS. Although Kaiser is currently trying to takeover healthcare via the ACA. BCBS is way stronger than the ACA or Kaiser. Most employer plans are BCBS. Most hospitals around here won't accept kaiser for outpatient or scheduled surgeries. Fail.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I still have a 2013-style pre-Obamacrap plan. Apparently he waved his magic pen and extended the deadline for a little while longer.

Utterly ridiculous how a plan with worse coverage/deductables/etc was going to cost me seriously 3x as much as I was paying. Oh, but it was "better" because it included the mandated women's health stuff... the heck, I'm a man, why the heck would I need that?

I'm hoping something is done before I get forced into this. Odds are, it'll just get worse. Stupid government "fixing" things i.e. making it far worse and more expensive and acting like it is the best thing ever...

 

[EliteRetard]

Your insurance is going to have two separate types of coverage: in-network and out-of-network. They should be clearly labeled on whatever documentation your insurance gives you. Usually, it's two columns. Your in-network providers (ie: medical providers your insurance has a formal agreement with) will have a percent by each service classification, and your out-of-network providers (ie: everyone else) will have a percentage next to that which dictates how much of a percent the insurance will cover for those services after the deductible, and up to the out-of-pocket maximum, after which the insurance company will foot the bill 100% (though, like I said, I am not sure if out-of-network providers count towards the out-of-pocket maximums or if you always have to pay your percentage) in most instances (basically, as long as the price is in-line with what they expect and the doctor isn't trying to rape them for money).

*snip*

I got no such documentation. I did eventually get some huge ass 150 page super complicated book of WTF a few months ago (like 8-9 months after being signed up).

As far as I could figure they cover 60% of emergency medical care only and nothing else (after a $5k deductible). I didn't see anything about out of pocket maximums. And there seems to be a crap ton of exceptions as well, like I know I read that it doesn't cover emergency transportation (ambulances and stuff), it doesn't cover any drugs/prescriptions used, doesn't cover disposable medical equipment, room fees, etc. There's no basic doctor care, no dental, vision, or anything else as far as I can tell. Those are all extra add on features. I just kinda flipped through it again and I caught mention of in-patient and out-patient stuff and noted that out-patient is not covered (even if emergency). I don't know what those words mean.

Just to be sure, when you say co-insurance, that's the word for the percentage I pay (in this case 40%)?

Anyway, I know I wont be using this crap pretty much ever. The most dangerous thing I do is drive carefully a few miles every week or two.

Thanks for the detailed answer though, I think I understand the basics now.

 

[EliteRetard]

You can pay cash or finance it. What you really mean is homeless people who use the ER as their doctors office, please die. Its a bigger problem than just healthcare. Using an IRS penalty to solve poverty, don't make me laugh.

I'm in the same boat as the OP and have been ranting and raving for quite awhile. People were just TOO STUPID to see it coming until it actually hit their wallet. So dumb. This is the first year the penalty takes effect. Its only 1% of income. Just wait until its 3% of income for 2017.

This is gonna ruin college students finances already worse than it already is. Thank god I already graduated. I wouldn't go, if I were a highschooler atm. I'd go into trades.

Wait, the penalty is a percentage? I'm paying 8.5% for this worthless insurance now...3% would be a better deal.

 

[EliteRetard]

In an actual emergency most hospitals will accept any plan. It pretty much varies hospital by hospital. Most hospitals have a web page saying which plans they prefer to work with. In my area most hospitals prefer BCBS. Although Kaiser is currently trying to takeover healthcare via the ACA. BCBS is way stronger than the ACA or Kaiser. Most employer plans are BCBS. Most hospitals around here won't accept kaiser for outpatient or scheduled surgeries. Fail.

Cool.

I don't know what any of that other stuff is, but now I'll just assume I'm covered in an emergency anywhere.

 

[brianmanahan]

this is why i looked for an employer that had good health insurance

finally found one with 20$ per month premiums on 0$ deductible insurance

 

[JEDI]

Universal single payer ftw!

ask Canada and England hows that going for them.

 

[phucheneh]

ask Canada and England hows that going for them.

Um...pretty well?

Unless you watch Fox News, and actually believe their bullshit stories. 'OMG I IS FROM CANADAS AND I HAS BEEN STANDING IN LINE FOR CANCER TRANSPLANT FOR ELEVENTY-BILLION YEARSES! WON'T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN! IF ONLY I WAS IN AMURICAH FUCK YEAH.'