Insurance open season

Someone recently asked me what I think about the new healthcare law and if we have seen any benefits from it yet. My response:


We have already seen some of the "benefits" of O.care. The insurance my hubby’s work offers changed last year to “come into compliance with the new healthcare laws”. Our premiums went up, benefits went down, and they added co-insurance and a deductible that we have to pay along with our normal co-pay. We haven't been able to go to the doc all year for anything other than normal/sick check-ups. J is suppose to see a specialist every year and this year they wanted him to see 2 but at over $350 a pop we just can’t afford it. Next year I don’t have an option- I will have to take him…not sure where we are going to get the money to pay for it though.

Previously I was very happy with our insurance. They covered most everything with us just paying co-pays…and our insurance is accepted most anywhere, so I didn’t need to worry when we traveled or if we were to move. (Unlike in previous years when his work had switched insurance companies and we had to drive 45 minutes to see an “in-network” doc). As of now, I am convinced we haven’t seen the end of the rise in our out-of-pocket expenses, including premiums.

I do like some of the regulations in the law (such as not discriminating against people with “pre-existing” conditions). But it doesn’t help if docs are afraid to officially diagnose anything because they don’t know what is going to happen with the law.

On a side note: It is that insurance “open enrollment” time of year. From the little information the company gave us, it appears the policy didn’t change this year…not good news but at least it didn’t get worse. I was hoping they would change to more of a compromise between the previous year’s insurance to this year’s- so we wouldn’t have to pay so much out of pocket. So now I have to find the over $600 to pay for J’s specialist visits this coming year.