^ - I would love to hear (or read) more about how it 'really works'.

 

It sounds like your describing a failure of the 'free market' to do what 'free markets' are supposed to do. Instead it sounds like the classic problems with monopolies or oligopolies. But not necessarily because the providers and facilities set out to do it but because the different models - networks, HMOs, etc. forced them into these moves. Is that close to accurate?

 

It seems clear something is amiss when you read a bill and it shows the rack rate on a service and then it shows the pre-negotiated 'network discount' that is the range of 50%. It says that the pricing, discounting and charges are all fictitious. No one knows what anything really costs or what they should really charge for it and they try to make people think its a great thing to be part of some mega-plan because they can show this super discounts.

 

But discounts should be 5 maybe 10% - not 50% for 'group rates'. At 50%, it just shows the system is very messed up.

 

Unfortunately ACHA seems to fix none of this.

 

Been that way for a generation, at least.

That's quite an over simplification.

Just in like manner, really.

Just in like manner' date=' really.[/quote']

 

I don't understand. What do you mean?

I'd love to see somehow what Humana or Anthem or one of the giants really rakes in. Not made up numbers that tickle the public, the real bottom line.

To make it simpler for you, I will put it in the "King's English" for you to understand. My premium will increase 93% in 2014. The key numbers are 93% between now and Jan 1!

 

And my premium isn't changing at all. There are companies that are using this as an excuse to gouge. And you may be able to get a better rate through the exchanges.

And my premium isn't changing at all. There are companies that are using this as an excuse to gouge. And you may be able to get a better rate through the exchanges.

AFL-CIO President Trumka: Employers Restructuring Workforce to 29 1/2 Hours to Avoid ObamaCare | MRCTV

The AFL-CIO Union president seems to concede the point that Obamacare is costing workers jobs and hours.

I'd love to see somehow what Humana or Anthem or one of the giants really rakes in. Not made up numbers that tickle the public, the real bottom line.

 

No question they will rake in the 1st quarter but the real test will be to see what kind of claims offset that by the end of the year on these new policies.

No question they will rake in the 1st quarter but the real test will be to see what kind of claims offset that by the end of the year on these new policies.

Sure, but we never see the real numbers. We see reports of earnings, none of which corporately are ever legitimate. You know what I'm talking about.

Sure, but we never see the real numbers. We see reports of earnings, none of which corporately are ever legitimate. You know what I'm talking about.

 

I hear ya. I'll let you know what they tell us when that rolls around.

Question -- and this may be a topic for its own thread: Frequently during the course of the discussion about Obamacare and its unintended consequences, the concept of employers reducing workers' hours below 32 so they don't have to offer them insurance, most recently by bugatti. While I don't disagree that this will happen as a result of businesses tightening their belts, but isn't this something that's been going on for a decade or more? I recall lots of news stories about this happening about 10 years ago, during the time of the big spike in insurance rates.

 

I'm not doubting that some businesses that operate close to the margins will be adversely affected. But I'm also betting a lot will use the "let no good crisis/tragedy go to waste" theory and take advantage of the uproar over Obamacare and use it as an excuse to trim payroll when they don't really need to.

 

This is overblown. Productivity will suffer over the long run as you phase out your employees for those willing to take on a part-time role. Competitors will take productive employees from rival companies. Do McDonald's or Papa John's even offer full benefits now? Those were some companies whose names were thrown in as thinking of going this route.

I, like many, want to see everyone receive the health care that they need. I DO NOT want to be forced to support those people who refuse to better their position in life. If you are able to work, but do not, I do not want to give you a dime. If you overeat and are obese of YOUR OWN DOING, I don't want to pay so that you can get blood pressure medicine and all of the other stuff that goes with it. If you DON'T TAKE CARE of YOURSELF, I don't want my money going to taking care of you. If Obama's administration wants health care for everyone, then take on the highest incident policies as a Government sponsored plan. Make health cut-offs for private plans so that premiums don't have to be raised to cover those who won't help themselves.

What kind of a plan you got? Typical high-deductible? Single or family? What did you pay in '13 and what will you pay in '14? Is your company plan self-funded? You work in a non-union shop?

You sure are nosey, LOL! What difference does any of that make? Besides, I already told you that my premium would INCREASE by 93%. I own/operate a small business, that depends on other small businesses to survive. The backbone of a free market ( I know lefties hate those two words) economy is small business.

You sure are nosey, LOL! What difference does any of that make? Besides, I already told you that my premium would INCREASE by 93%. I own/operate a small business, that depends on other small businesses to survive. The backbone of a free market ( I know lefties hate those two words) economy is small business.

Still scratching my head why your premiums are going up 93% while others report no increase in premiums for 2014. Perhaps if you offered more information, people smarter than me could steer you in a better direction. Just a thought. Anyways, I'm glad you put "free market" in bold in your reply. I thought the answer to all of our economic woes was Ronald Reagan-style unfettered capitalism. But after reading through this thread again, I'm not so sure.

An Early Look at Premiums and Insurer Participation in Health Insurance Marketplaces, 2014

Get use to high deductible plans friends, if you still have a copay you have really good insurance. I have a 6500 family deductible to meet annually before we technically have insurance.