ACA-Not going through Exchanges

[Gothmog]

My middle child is still in law school and just turned 26 a couple of months ago. She had been on my policy at my firm and we started looking for coverage. In addition, my youngest child is on my policy but now I am paying $590 a month for family coverage for one dependent. One of my friends from my congregation's men service club is an insurance agent and h e found a policy for my daughters. He found some policies from blue cross and we applied only to have both kids turned down due to pre-existing health issues (this did not matter for the youngest child and the middle child is getting on the law school policy). Today, he sent me a link through his firm for a Blue Cross Silver PPO plan that is at a good rate. I can cover both daughters for less than I am paying for one. This is an exchange type policy that is silver level for the exchanges. The rates for this policy is $10 higher per month than the rate quoted for the non-ACA policy.

Anyone who is going through the exchanges can also talk to insurance agents. I do not feel bad about not going through the exchange given that I am getting an exchange qualified plan that is under the ACA

[Bandit]

1. It is all about more choices.....

At least now we are able to look around and compare rates...Couldn't do that a year ago.

[hedda_foil]

2. I'm glad the kids will be covered, but I'm wondering...

Do you (or law school kid) qualify for a partial subsidy under the exchange and, if so, will you still get the subsidised rate even though you're applying through an insurance agent?

[Gothmog]

3. I have not checked on the subsidies

I doubt that I qualify but my child may well qualify. She is in Iowa and they evidently have a screwed up exchange according to her classmates

[marked50]

7. Subsidies

I had checked with the folks at healthcare.gov in Sept and they specifically told me that those who have private insurance will not get the subsidies- those will only apply to policies thru the exchanges.

[kestrel91316]

4. Insurance agents aren't going to "help" for free.

[Gothmog]

5. I know this

The agent is question is a friend but I know that he will be getting a commission here. The key thing to me is that the price per month is similar to the price that I was quoted before the ACA. Again both daughters were rejected by Blue Cross due to pre-existing issues but effective January 1, I will be able to insure both for less than it costs me for dependent coverage on my firm policy

[sobenji]

6. Off exchange=no tax subsidy

But yes, it's all about choices.
All health insurance policies being sold exchange or off exchange must be ACA compliant. The exceptions are limited term policies, short-term, specific illness, vision, and dental.