Just Got A Letter From Blue Cross/Blue Shield Indicating An Adjustment In My Premium..... [View all]

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Lucky for me that I cancelled my BC/BS policy back in September. At that time they raised my bi-monthly premium to $3,333.76.
I am self-employed and this policy was only for myself. This was with a $2500 deductible as well. I bought into this policy back in 1999. It was much cheaper and affordable back then - but every year like clock work they raised my premium until it reached the above cost. When I inquired whether or not they offered a cheaper policy - they told me they did - but I'd have to go through the complete sign-up process and gamble whether or not they would continue to cover me because during this timeline - I developed hypertension and high cholesterol and was being medicated for both. This is that pre-existing condition thingy. So - I would just bite the bullet and continue with that present policy and pay their ever increasing premium.

I cancelled my policy back in September - finally - because I reached that magic age of 65 and qualified for Medicare. Now with Medicare Parts A&B, a Medicare Supplement plan from Humana and a Part D drug policy. I paying around $425/month.

Quite a saving - and now I have better coverage than I ever had with BC/BS.

Today I received a letter from BC/BS informing me that my premium was being adjusted - and guess what - it was being adjusted up to boot. The reason the letter stated that the premium is going up is due to two new Affordable Care Act Fees. They said - "because of these fees, we must adjust your premium". It went on further to state the following: "On January 1, 2014, two new fees will affect what you pay for your health insurance. These new fees are part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These fees are the "Annual Fee On Health Insurers" and the "Transitional Reinsurance Program Contribution Fee".

Your premium will be adjusted for these fees. On 01/01/2014 your new Bi-Monthly medical premium will be $3,757.34.

Our goal is to serve your health insurance needs through all of life's changes. If you have any questions, our team stands ready to help.

Sincerely,

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

I did call BC/BS - just to make sure that they knew that I cancelled my policy back in September. Upon checking - they did cancel my policy - they couldn't explain why I received the letter.

What really got me was how the letter was worded to blame the ACA. The other thing - if I would have still been a policy holder - this was a $423.58 raise in premium or $211.79 per month.

Just thought I post this info. I thought this was something I'd like to share with fellow DU'ers.