So let me see if I've got this straight...

[mzteris]

452. someone's parsing words . . .

Coverage for people living with such conditions as diabetes, asthma, cancer, and HIV/AIDS has often been priced out of the reach of most Americans who buy their own insurance, and this has resulted in a lack of coverage for millions. The temporary program covers a broad range of health benefits and is designed as a bridge for people with pre-existing conditions who cannot obtain health insurance coverage in today’s private insurance market. In 2014, all Americans – regardless of their health status – will have access to affordable coverage either through their employer or through Health Insurance Marketplaces, and insurers will be prohibited from charging more or denying coverage to anyone based on the state of their health.

and it's NOT you!

From the ACA: "Health insurance plans can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a pre-existing health condition."

I'm not sure when medication didn't fall under COVER you . . .

There's this: "All private health insurance plans offered in the Marketplace will offer the same set of essential health benefits. These are services all plans must cover.

The essential health benefits include at least the following items and services:
Ambulatory patient services (outpatient care you get without being admitted to a hospital)
Emergency services
Hospitalization (such as surgery)
Maternity and newborn care (care before and after your baby is born)
Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment (this includes counseling and psychotherapy)
Prescription drugs
Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices (services and devices to help people with injuries, disabilities, or chronic conditions gain or recover mental and physical skills)
Laboratory services
Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management
Pediatric services

Essential health benefits are minimum requirements for all plans in the Marketplace. Plans may offer additional coverage. You will see exactly what each plan offers when you compare them side-by-side in the Marketplace.
Learn more about how the Health Insurance Marketplace works, the kinds of plans available, and the four categories of coverage.
Questions? Call 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (TTY: 1-855-889-4325)"

Granted, I've not delved a whole lot into the ACA as it's not been necessary so far, but it seems pretty plain to me. Maybe things like which plan and the options they offered and that you chose MAY be a factor (again, not sure how that part works) or I suspect some of the STATES may have tinkered with it to a huge extent (cough - WI - cough). I don't know where you live, but again, could be a factor.

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If you're PCIP eligible, you might want to check this out: "before the Affordable Care Act, Americans with pre-existing conditions who did not receive health coverage through their employers had few affordable options to get the care they needed. In most states, insurance companies could refuse to sell them coverage, charge higher premiums, or offer them coverage that excluded benefits for their health conditions.

The PCIP program is temporary and was created to make health coverage available and more affordable to people who qualify.

To qualify for PCIP, you must:
Have a pre-existing condition
Be a U.S. citizen, or live in the U.S. legally
Have been without health coverage for the last 6 months

You are NOT eligible for PCIP coverage if:
You have other insurance coverage, even if it doesn’t cover your medical condition (note: admittedly don't understand that part. That doesn't fit with everything else I've heard about HCA. Though maybe a company an "not cover particular conditions, they just have to cover pre-existing conditions they DO cover... hmmm...)
You’re enrolled in a state high risk pool
You have Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, VA or TRICARE coverage
You have job-based coverage, including COBRA, or continuation of coverage, even if it’s about to end
You have a limited benefit plan

Coverage for people living with such conditions as diabetes, asthma, cancer, and HIV/AIDS has often been priced out of the reach of most Americans who buy their own insurance, and this has resulted in a lack of coverage for millions. The temporary program covers a broad range of health benefits and is designed as a bridge for people with pre-existing conditions who cannot obtain health insurance coverage in today’s private insurance market. In 2014, all Americans – regardless of their health status – will have access to affordable coverage either through their employer or through Health Insurance Marketplaces, and insurers will be prohibited from charging more or denying coverage to anyone based on the state of their health.

*******

Hope this helps. Good luck. I know you're dogged and determined and I wouldn't want to get on your bad side. My tactic is to refuse to talk to underlings and go straight to the supervisor's supervisor's supervisor's manager or higher. I become a royal pain in the ass and refuse to go away. I ask for names and extensions or ID numbers since - of course - they don't want to give out their last names I make very sure I make note of their cooperation or lack thereof and their attitude. I make notes of times (all of this if probably second nature to you!!) But I ALSO very definitely leverage whatever I have. And at this point I have some leverage with the companies I do deal with because they want OUR company's business in a bad way - but that's another story.

I don't want to make it seem like I'm lecturing, Wil, just want to offer what little support, advice, and experience I may have. You may have already done all of this. (Probably, since I know you're smarter than I am!) But I am pretty ruthless when it comes to dealing with things like this and I have whooooole lot of experience dealing with customer service and escalating to someone who can actually DO SOMETHING!!

YOU, my friend, should have tremendous leverage. The words - "I'm a journalist", I have "X" readership/ membership/audience, etc. and the words "I have an internet and I'm not afraid to use it" usually garners the attention of moving to the higher up even for the rest of us. If they stonewall you, go to their PR department or their sales manager or VP. Hell, I've been known just to call the freaking CEO if they keep refusing to cooperate or do what I need. I WILL get results one way or another. Being a royal PITA makes them want you to "just go away" a lot of times so they cave. The fact you you can affect them with negative publicity (an anathema) even more than me moving my company's businese elsewhere - - I would leverage to the hilt.