Where are the unisurables?

[DOGS THAT BARK]

http://www.theatlantic.com/business...-the-high-risk-health-insurance-pools/239833/

Why Hasn't Anyone Signed Up For the High-Risk Health Insurance Pools?
Megan McArdle

I've predicted that lots of parts of Obamacare will not work the way they're expected to. But here's one I wouldn't have predicted: the high-risk pools, which were meant to tide people over until 2013, have signed up just 18,000 people as of March.


There were supposed to be millions of people who were uninsurable because of pre-existing conditions. We heard lengthy testimony about their terrible plight. I don't think it's too strong to say that this fear--that you could get sick and no one would insure you, that's right, you, Mr. & Mrs. Middle-Class Voter--was one of the main reasons offered for the health care overhaul. It was estimated by Medicare's Chief Actuary that around 400,000 would sign up (the CBO estimated 200,000, but only because they assumed that HHS would use its authority to limit enrollment in order to stay within the $5 billion budgeted for the program). So where are all the uninsurable people?

 

[Chadman]

You can count me as someone who could not find any other insurance because of my prostrate cancer, found just after losing my insurance benefits, and subsequently was able to qualify for the high risk pool here in Minnesota.

So, I guess that qualifies? I'm extremely thankful I was able to get in, but the premiums for me are (I forget exactly) well over $400 a month - just for me. This would be a helluva stretch for many on a fixed budget or without a job - which is so prominently mentioned here and elsewhere as being a big problem in this country.

I wonder if I am counted in the 18,000, and where that number came from (seems unreferenced in the article)? There was nothing simple in my efforts to obtain insurance (and was denied across the board), my deductible is $3,000.

 

[Trench]

Shoddy journalism on the part of The Atlantic. The author of this article either did no research or she's being disingenuous with this piece.

The deadline for opting into the "Obamacare" high risk insurance pools for states was April 30, 2010 and 18 states opted out. Also, 35 states already have high risk insurance pools covering 200,000 patients (as of 2008). I suspect that all 18 of the states that opted out have Republican governors. Politics as usual.

http://www.gop.gov/policy-news/10/05/06/feds-will-run-high-risk

P.S. Sorry to hear about your prostate cancer, Chadman. From a genetic standpoint, I'm a high risk candidate for it as well.

 

[smurphy]

The old system is stupid, Obama's system is just as stupid. Until we GET RID of insurance companies, we will not have a system that works.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

You can count me as someone who could not find any other insurance because of my prostrate cancer, found just after losing my insurance benefits, and subsequently was able to qualify for the high risk pool here in Minnesota.

So, I guess that qualifies? I'm extremely thankful I was able to get in, but the premiums for me are (I forget exactly) well over $400 a month - just for me. This would be a helluva stretch for many on a fixed budget or without a job - which is so prominently mentioned here and elsewhere as being a big problem in this country.

I wonder if I am counted in the 18,000, and where that number came from (seems unreferenced in the article)? There was nothing simple in my efforts to obtain insurance (and was denied across the board), my deductible is $3,000.

You were my 1st thoughts when reading article Chad--as I knew you used it. Good for you!

 

[Chadman]

And I also appreciate you contacting me Wayne, and offering advice and opinions when things were so bad. Will never forget that...

That being said - do you have any opinion on the article and the 18,000 quote that has no basis of reference? Maybe I missed it? Seems if that was your main point (which it seems to be) you would reference that?

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

And I also appreciate you contacting me Wayne, and offering advice and opinions when things were so bad. Will never forget that...

That being said - do you have any opinion on the article and the 18,000 quote that has no basis of reference? Maybe I missed it? Seems if that was your main point (which it seems to be) you would reference that?

I think they should be able to easily track the #'s Chad--but reporting them accurately is another matter.

I assume from article this is a new federal program--if so it was a waste of time and money as most states already have pool for uninsurables in place--which might be why the fed participation are so low.

I know our guarantee issue plan/pool in Ky called Ky Access has more than 18,000 members by itself.

The plan certainly is necessary and life saver for many.

 

[Duff Miver]

The old system is stupid, Obama's system is just as stupid. Until we GET RID of insurance companies, we will not have a system that works.

:0074 :0074 :0074 :0074 :0074 :0074 :0074

 

[Mags]

Actually, Chad, I'd bet you are in the MN comprehensive Health Association pool - not the federally subsidized risk pool.

And to those comments regarding states that "opted out" - they still have the federal risk pool in their state - the state itself just opted out of running it themselves, and allowed HHS to run it instead.

In terms of the low enrollment for the Federal High Risk Pools, it comes down to (mainly) 1 enrollment requirement that the Feds and Obama required to be eligible: you have to go 6 months without any health coverage to be eligible. Most sick people will not do that. It was designed that way to keep people from dropping their current coverage to get the Federal High Risk Pool (as the premiums are lower in the FHRP in many cases).

However, that rule alone has had a detrimental effect, as folks that are laid off/fired would be naturals for this coverage if they are sick. But they elect COBRA instead (which is more expensive) because they don't want to go "naked" for 6 months to qualify for the Federal High Risk Pools.

And for those who have gone 6 months without coverage, those folks typically aren't working, so even though premiums are low/similiar to the marketplace, they are still too expensive for them - not when faced with the decision of buying food or buying healthcare.

Also, the marketing effort to outreach to people about this program has been very poor to date.

 

[Mags]

I assume from article this is a new federal program--if so it was a waste of time and money as most states already have pool for uninsurables in place--which might be why the fed participation are so low.

Wayne: one of the big differences between the state pools and the federal pool is premium level - the state pools are typically 125-150% of the standard risk rate (market rate) and the federal risk pool is mandated to be no more than 100% of the standard risk rate.......

 

[rusty]

Wayne: one of the big differences between the state pools and the federal pool is premium level - the state pools are typically 125-150% of the standard risk rate (market rate) and the federal risk pool is mandated to be no more than 100% of the standard risk rate.......

3...2....1.......:00x4

 

[Mags]

3...2....1.......:00x4

sorry, rusty, too boring or too technical?

Would it be easier to say that rates in the state high risk pools are typically 25-50% higher than the Federal high risk pools?

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Wayne: one of the big differences between the state pools and the federal pool is premium level - the state pools are typically 125-150% of the standard risk rate (market rate) and the federal risk pool is mandated to be no more than 100% of the standard risk rate.......

Thanks Mags--I wasn't aware of that.

 

[smurphy]

i love all the technical talk that basically adds up to insurance companies fucking you. kill em all.

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

i love all the technical talk that basically adds up to insurance companies fucking you. kill em all.

Please don't kill them all Smurph--I would hate to think I worked all my life and could lose my house-savings-business and everything I worked for because there was no insurance available to cover risks.
Imagine turning "the pack" here loose on businesses and homes of the productive--armed with only a book of matches. They could not only get their revenge but bring the entire country to it's knees if not for insurance.


Insurance is simply a means to manage risk--
Many people have no need as they have no assets to protect.

--When people make statements like yours--is a tell tale sign-they been drinking --or have no assets at risk.

Kinda like the more entitlements/higher taxes advocates. Common sense tells you which side of the redistribution they reside on..

I certainly hope there will be time in your life you will understand the merits of insurance and be thankful for opportunity to cover protect your assets.
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