Friday, September 13, 2013

It's not just GOP that's scared of Obamacare success

I've mentioned before that, as someone who runs a small business (nonprofit), I'm really exited about the health care exchanges that are about to come online next month as part of Obamacare. In Minnesota they're going to be called MNsure and we're starting to get a peek at what they'll look like. I just talked with my Board of Directors last week about getting ready to review our options and make a decision about whether or not to sign up.

But this week we got a packet of information from our current health insurance provider. Our renewal with them is scheduled to happen March 2014. They are offering their current small business customers the opportunity to renew early at close to current rates with a warning that if we don't, Obamacare will likely mean steep increases in our premiums.

Here's the catch...we have to renew by September 15, two weeks before we have the opportunity to compare the rates they're offering to those on the exchanges. Fuckers!!!!!!

Guess its full speed ahead on MNsure for this small business.

6 comments:

  1. What's really funny is that insurance companies were at the table with the president and agreed to everything in the bill. Who said the president couldn't negotiate? It looks to me like Obama waved the public option over their heads to get them to put their industry under control.

    Vic78

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    1. Exactly.

      Early indications are that our premiums on the exchanges might be as little as 1/2 - 1/3 of what they are in the small group market. So these fuckers are counting on me being stupid enough to fall for their scare tactics to jack us around. Aint.gonna.happen.

      Delete
  2. Sounds like they are quite literaly "scaring up business". I am not sure I see how this is a good business model because next year their clients will be pretty upset they were lied to.

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  3. It's been quite a trip to see the GOP go absolutely mad about Obamacare as the avalanche of positive news stories are coming in on the benefits and competitive rates the exchanges have. My insurance company began sending alarmist mailers last year about how "Obamacare" would cause steep rate increases and I just renewed. The plan was $20/more a month. Hardly something worth freaking out about and I'm definitely going to take a peek at the California exchange to see what other deals exist so I know for next year if the insurer is playing fair or not. The transparency of it all must be killing them.

    I feel somewhat sorry for the GOP (okay not really). It must be like the Alamo for them. They see what is coming and are just gasping desperately for survival.

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    1. My sister's employer will for the first time be offering a subsidized healthcare package (she still has to pay 70% of it, but that's better than paying 100% on the individual market) because Obamacare will be making insurance far more affordable for a small business like his.

      It's amazing to see the actual results, in the flesh, of the pitched battles fought legislatively 4 years ago.

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  4. I hope you report back to us about your premiums.

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