Blue Cross ‘Stores’ Offering Uninsureds Information on Obamacare Changes, Options

By | August 12, 2013

  • August 12, 2013 at 11:26 am
    Libby says:
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    Build it and they will come… BC/BS

    • August 12, 2013 at 4:37 pm
      FFA says:
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      Libby, Has your marketing folks put out any target demographics?

      • August 13, 2013 at 11:06 am
        Libby says:
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        We only do large group business, so no marketing for individual health. Sorry.

    • August 13, 2013 at 2:06 pm
      Patti Cake in the East says:
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      That’s pathetic.

      • August 13, 2013 at 2:22 pm
        Libby says:
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        It’s pathetic that we only do large group health? I think it’s pretty awesome. And lucrative.

  • August 12, 2013 at 1:21 pm
    jim says:
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    thanks for cutting out the current agents who have worked hard for you

    • August 12, 2013 at 5:48 pm
      FFA says:
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      Jim, I don’t like this any more then any one else.
      There are going to be millions of people shopping this. In Il, we still get full individual commissions – for now.
      I am going to need additional revenue to pay for the increase of taxes and the increase of the actual cost of the insurance.
      My back is against the wall and I may as well take full advantage of the massive increase of people shopping.

  • August 12, 2013 at 3:19 pm
    Brass Balls says:
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    Blue Cross & Blue Shield is preparing for Obamacare. They have raised the premium for our group dependent coverage for three (3) kids and a spouse from $743 per month to $1,500 per month; raised the deductible from $1,000 to $3,500 and increased the out-of pocket from $4,000 to $10,000. They state the children can’t be underwritten should they be move to an individual or another group plan. However, they state Obamacare suspended the Kennedy- Kassabaum Portability Act. Therefore, the spouse would be subject to underwriting.

    Blue Cross & Blue Shield isn’t a true Non-Profit and they aren’t watching our for their premium payers.

    • August 12, 2013 at 3:30 pm
      Agent says:
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      Hey Brass, your story is just like thousands of others across the country. They are doing similar things with our groups. They offer a number of options, none of them are very appetizing. Higher premiums, higher deductibles, higher out of pocket and the list goes on.

      • August 12, 2013 at 4:29 pm
        FFA says:
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        Group coverage is being eliminated just like Carburetors on a car except the “new” component will not be an improvement.

        • August 12, 2013 at 5:44 pm
          Agent says:
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          Well, with the mandate put aside for another year, the carriers can just continue to screw the groups on rates until no one can afford it no matter what option is offered.

          • August 13, 2013 at 10:42 am
            Agent says:
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            FFA, Did you see the story just out reported in several places including the infamous NY Times that the out of pocket expenses outlined in the bill of $6,350 for Individual & $12,700 maximum for families will be delayed for another year? That leaves the door open for carriers to put in whatever they want for out of pocket expenses and some will have unlimited out of pocket expenses. Another example of the law of unintended consequences. I ask again, what is affordable about the Affordable Care Act?

          • August 13, 2013 at 12:10 pm
            FFA says:
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            I did not catch that. That’s one of many problems with this thing. Once you think you got a grip on things, they change quicker then the weather in Chicago.

    • August 22, 2013 at 5:08 pm
      Agent says:
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      Hey Brass, we receive the bulletins from Blue Cross on our groups. They are announcing increases of 20-30% at anniversary date. This presents a number of challenges and we have to pick from a menu of options/plans on what to recommend to clients. Most of them have to go for a higher deductible, higher out of pocket in order to keep the rates somewhat affordable. This is a reaction to what carriers will be facing with PreX claims and they are getting all the rate they can. Is this good for America?

  • August 12, 2013 at 4:32 pm
    wvagt says:
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    Didn’t BC/BS, Aetna, and Humana recently announce that they’re withdrawing from the individual market in several states?

    • August 12, 2013 at 5:27 pm
      Agent says:
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      Yes wvagt. California was the one I saw. There are something like 38 Blue Cross’s across the states. I don’t pretend to know how they operate the way they do. In some states, they are actively pushing Obamacare like NC. Perhaps they like the environment better in some states vs the wierd ones like California. Maybe they are getting something extra for the Navigators to help people enroll. It is quite a shell game going on.

      • August 13, 2013 at 10:42 am
        wvagt says:
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        I just read that many of the Navigators will be hired from unions and “community organizing” groups (like Acorn?), and won’t have to undergo any kind of background checks before being sent out there to review people’s most personal information – social security numbers, tax records, medical data, etc. There will be 20 hours of on-line training required, on an “on-going” basis. Wow, what a way to build trust and confidence in the enrollment process.

        • August 13, 2013 at 11:07 am
          Libby says:
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          And just where did you read this “information?”

        • August 13, 2013 at 12:13 pm
          FFA says:
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          Please do tell where that article came from. Great Marketing piece for the Local Agent.
          “Do you want some yahoo handling that info or would you trust your local Main St agent?”

          • August 13, 2013 at 2:03 pm
            wvagt says:
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            Article written by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

          • August 13, 2013 at 2:45 pm
            Libby says:
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            Each state that runs it’s own exchange puts together their own Navigators program and presents it to the Feds for approval. It must address training, privacy, and security.

            You have to do more than read an article written a year ago by a “repeal Obamacare” supporter in order to provide accurate information on a public forum. It just shows, the lemmings and minions here are the Republicans. They take any rubbish they hear, as long as it’s anti-Obama, and spread it around like the gospel.

            http://www.onlinenavigator.org/news/federal-requirements-for-navigators-in-a-state-insurance-exchange.html

          • August 13, 2013 at 3:38 pm
            wvagt says:
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            The article was published yesterday, and it’s no more “rubbish” than some of the “garbage” spouted by the libs on this site. There’s an ad in my local small-town newspaper today, looking for people to train as navigators. Wouldn’t licensed insurance agents be more experienced, educated, and reliable? Which would you rather talk to, an experienced agent or someone with 20 hours of training on line?

          • August 13, 2013 at 3:44 pm
            Libby says:
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            You are correct. I misread the date on the article. Agents are not being forced out of the process. You are able to sell for or against the exchange AND receive commission. Community centers and non-profits are there for guidance and support as well. The two do not preclude each other and I see no negative with either. Many people may not have an agent or even know how to contact one, but they know their neighborhood community center.

  • August 13, 2013 at 12:47 am
    Elizabeth says:
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    All the law will do is reduce your standard of living and put your health in the hands of some bureaucrat with no medical experience, who haven’t consulted your doctor and has never even looked at your medical history. They, not you, not your doctor, not your family, not your insurance company, will decide what medications, therapies, surgeries, treatments, etc you will receive. You will have no ability to appeal their decision. What a great idea! Anyone have an EXTRA $900+ a month (we’re not young and have health issues and pay for our health CARE v. health INSURANCE-they are different things, you know), so that means we’ll have to live in the hood so we can subsidize health insurance for others, whom we already subsidize in many, many ways. Nothing like spreading poverty around!

    • August 13, 2013 at 8:23 am
      jw says:
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      Elizabeth, perhaps you should read the article. BC/BS is still the same company. The INSURANCE COMPANY will be operating business as usual as far as claims payment and pre-authorization. None of the INSURERS are part of any government bureaucracy. I may not be an expert on(or fond of) the ACA, but even I know the insurance companies are part of the program.

      • August 13, 2013 at 10:31 am
        FFA says:
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        Not yet….. Read the writing on the wall.

        • August 13, 2013 at 11:52 am
          jw says:
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          I think I disagree with you, but I’m not sure which part you think is coming. I just cannot see any insurer allowing a government bureaucrat into their inner sanctum. To let the government know, without a doubt, what processes are used to deny claims or set rates could cause problems when insured’s sue for coverage.

          • August 13, 2013 at 12:36 pm
            Agent says:
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            jw, have you heard of the Independent Payment Advisory Board which is part of Obamacare? Some have referred to it as the Death Panels which drives Libby crazy. Government bureaucrats will be deciding on whether treatment is rendered or not. They can dictate to an insurance company what claims or treatment is given or denied.

          • August 13, 2013 at 1:50 pm
            Captain Planet says:
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            Agent, no they can’t. Source required. More scare tactics, I see. Currently, employees of health insurance companies are scouring your health records looking for reasons to deny you coverage, making your decision one of health or bankruptcy. Bureaucracy currently runs the show while the CEOs of these health insurance companies run their yachts. And, people from the conservative right who continue to lose this debate (Congress passed it, SCOTUS upheld it, We The People voted President Obama in for a second term) just continue to run their mouths.

          • August 13, 2013 at 1:51 pm
            Libby says:
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            Once again, Agent, you are WRONG! That’s what drives me crazy!!! Here is an exerpt from the New England Journal of Medicine:

            “The effects of the IPAB’s proposals, however, may not be to “ration health care,” raise costs to beneficiaries, restrict benefits, or modify eligibility criteria.”

            http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1005402

            Please, get your sh*t straight before you go spreading propaganda.

        • August 13, 2013 at 2:10 pm
          Nebraskan says:
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          Don’t ALL insurance companies have people that can deny or approve a procedure? Isn’t that called the claims department? And if they deny something, it needs to be written in the policy what is excluded and what is included? And if it’s not spelled out in the policy and the claim is denied, then the insured can sure the insurer? Because you know, it’s a contract? And then we can all yell at each other about policies and tort reform?

          • August 13, 2013 at 3:09 pm
            Agent says:
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            Libby, Are you in favor of removing the Independent Payment Advisory Board from Obamacare? If they have no say in approving or denying coverage, why is it in the bill to start with? What is the purpose of the Board? Please enlighten all of us.

          • August 13, 2013 at 3:35 pm
            Libby says:
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            Sorry, Agent. I’m not going to let you be that lazy. Read the damn article if you really want to know the purpose of the Independent Payment Advisory Board. It has a very useful purpose.

  • August 16, 2013 at 1:59 pm
    Huh! says:
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    It’s not a government program….yet! I’m sure government interference won’t be long in coming, all in the guise of improving life for one and all. I don’t believe affordable care is going to be affordable at all, and the quality of care given is yet to be seen.

  • August 16, 2013 at 5:26 pm
    Ann says:
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    I would very much like to sit down face to face with someone but not the company that is trying to sell me the insurance. It would be nice for a broker or something like that to open up a storefront. The best part would be to compare different insurances and then see what works best for you

    • August 19, 2013 at 10:32 am
      Libby says:
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      Ann: Agents have storefronts all over the place. Call one. Or contact your local community center and have a Navigator help you compare plans. The resources will be there.

  • August 17, 2013 at 10:46 am
    Robert Davis says:
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    I am 78 years old and do not deal with health insurance for
    those under age 65.

  • August 22, 2013 at 4:12 pm
    Janice Armstrong says:
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    Glad we are on Medicare, not as many “unknowns” as you all have to cope with.

    • August 23, 2013 at 11:33 am
      Agent says:
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      Janice, When $716 Billion is taken from Medicare to fund Obamacare, I think you will soon be on rationed care.



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