General Discussion

Logical

(22,457 posts) Sat Jun 30, 2012, 03:51 PM Jun 2012

OK, the Affordable Care Act makes me feel 100% better about losing my job..... [View all]

I would love to hear what I am missing in my analysis. But based on what I see this is amazing. I had no idea that it was so affordable. I was really not paying attention. If I am wrong on something please let me know.

I am using this link as an estimator: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/what-health-bill-means-for-you/

I am 54 and am worried about my company closing down in 2015. I was really worried about Health Care. I assume I could find some job, but probably without benefits. I honestly was really worried about losing what little savings I have because of no health care coverage.

So I estimated my wife and I could earn, worst case together, $30,000 at a minimum wage job in 2015. I plugged that in the calculator and it says this......

Starting in 2014:
You will have the option of buying a health plan through your state's exchange with federal assistance. Based on your income, your annual premiums for that plan would be no more than $1,200 to $1,890. Your maximum out-of-pocket costs for deductibles and co-payments would be capped at 15 percent of the total cost.

Insurers can’t discriminate against you for having a pre-existing condition, and can only vary rates within a narrow range.

OK, this is amazing to me based on the other estimates I have seen for private insurance. If I am right, then Obama has to get the word out on this plan. People will fall i love with this Act when they know how it can help them.

Am I missing some "Catch"? I cannot believe it is this great!

123 replies

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OK, the Affordable Care Act makes me feel 100% better about losing my job..... [View all] Logical Jun 2012 OP

sounds about right Schema Thing Jun 2012 #1

The KFF site shows a 'Government Tax Credit'. Does that mean I pay that also? Logical Jun 2012 #3

The tax-credit is how the government subsidizes the plans. You receive the credit... PoliticAverse Jun 2012 #26

Fat chance quinnox Jun 2012 #2

But for that $100 a month they get insurance...... Logical Jun 2012 #4

yes, exactly quinnox Jun 2012 #6

I understand your point..... Logical Jun 2012 #8

unpaid ER visits end up on credit rating reports Motown_Johnny Jun 2012 #17

You are wrong, Grasshopper. How do we know that? Massachusetts Mandate. Almost 100% coverage. Honeycombe8 Jun 2012 #45

Most of the increased coverage was achieved through expanding medicaid. dkf Jul 2012 #52

Most of the states will keep the increased Medicaid. A few won't. Wait and see. Honeycombe8 Jul 2012 #77

I wonder if they can keep it til the Fed contribution goes down dkf Jul 2012 #115

And remember that the ACA's terms are even more favorable than in MA. TheWraith Jul 2012 #78

The MA program has its flaws. Marrah_G Jul 2012 #85

That is poor people logic RegieRocker Jul 2012 #51

Yes, poor people don't have enough money to go around. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #81

I lived RegieRocker Jul 2012 #84

You've already stated that all poor people have "poor people ways".. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #88

If everyone were just like you there wouldn't be a problem. rrneck Jul 2012 #89

Your reply is arrogant RegieRocker Jul 2012 #98

Measuring others against your own experience rrneck Jul 2012 #113

I guess I just need a 3rd part time job! Marrah_G Jul 2012 #92

Really RegieRocker Jul 2012 #99

I am an admin asst at job number one. Marrah_G Jul 2012 #103

So you work almost 13 hours a day, 7 days a week? bluedigger Jul 2012 #114

This poor person finds your comments offensive Marrah_G Jul 2012 #82

Not all poor people ways RegieRocker Jul 2012 #86

And what's that honey? I force my employer to pay me shit? Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #83

Over the top RegieRocker Jul 2012 #87

Your original comment is the one that's over the top.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #90

Nope RegieRocker Jul 2012 #91

The ones who stay poor obviously just aren't trying hard enough Marrah_G Jul 2012 #94

You could do the work I do but you won't RegieRocker Jul 2012 #106

I've spent a lifetime sacrificing Marrah_G Jul 2012 #108

The poor people that don't remain poor start making more money.. Fumesucker Jul 2012 #100

Not at all RegieRocker Jul 2012 #102

Medical bills aren't due to sheer random chance? Fumesucker Jul 2012 #110

That worldview is very common and has a name. 2ndAmForComputers Jul 2012 #123

another factor is timing Skittles Jul 2012 #107

Nope Marrah_G Jul 2012 #93

Can't refute it, I see. Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #95

Ok RegieRocker Jul 2012 #104

LOL Marrah_G Jul 2012 #105

I watched the Grapes of Wrath RegieRocker Jul 2012 #109

You should consider yourself fortunate Marrah_G Jul 2012 #111

i understand RegieRocker Jul 2012 #116

Thank you Marrah_G Jul 2012 #117

Should I rob them? Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #112

You make no sense RegieRocker Jul 2012 #118

LOL. Starry Messenger Jul 2012 #119

Not all. lumberjack_jeff Jul 2012 #121

"ER for free" SoCalDem Jun 2012 #42

It's not free- it's just another bill that you can't pay Marrah_G Jul 2012 #96

A lot of ProSense Jun 2012 #5

Hmmmm...depends on your definition of "forced" Haha ScruffyTheJanitor Jun 2012 #12

then every tax is forcing people to do something Motown_Johnny Jun 2012 #13

The basis of all governmental entities is power derived from force and threats of violence. ScruffyTheJanitor Jun 2012 #18

And if you don't pay your rent or mortgage goverment may be employed with LEOs to force you... freshwest Jun 2012 #23

There are Mutual insurance companies which are owned by the policy holders... PoliticAverse Jun 2012 #31

Yes, my auto insurance is that way. They used to give us a rebate. We generally have a few of these freshwest Jun 2012 #39

Did I mention that I also hate the mandate? Motown_Johnny Jun 2012 #43

I suppose it never occurred to you Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #58

But why cheer such a hugely regressive tax? girl gone mad Jun 2012 #22

Or ProSense Jun 2012 #14

"...remain a freeloader" ScruffyTheJanitor Jun 2012 #21

What an ugly post, Prosense. girl gone mad Jun 2012 #24

Why? ProSense Jun 2012 #25

You are adopting industry approved hate language. girl gone mad Jun 2012 #27

Take it up with Nancy Pelosi SickOfTheOnePct Jun 2012 #49

Yes, they are forced to contribute to their medical care costs, just like they are forced to Honeycombe8 Jun 2012 #46

Is paying $$ to a private corporation always bad? treestar Jul 2012 #57

Imagine making minimum wage and being sick/injured without any insurance Motown_Johnny Jun 2012 #11

Note that for such a person buying insurance would cost less than the $695 penalty PoliticAverse Jun 2012 #28

you will be proven wrong, thankfully. dionysus Jun 2012 #16

You of course realize that if you are at the lowest threshold of poverty nadinbrzezinski Jun 2012 #37

This might help Live and Learn Jul 2012 #53

Very good point, many Americans cannot afford any additional out of pocket expenses Puzzledtraveller Jul 2012 #72

more pissed when they find out what they actually GET for it Skittles Jul 2012 #101

From the title, I thought you were blaming the ACA for job loss, but... freshwest Jun 2012 #7

I fully agree the media has created massive confusion about this by flamingdem Jun 2012 #9

It's been a load off my soul to know that so many others will get help now. freshwest Jul 2012 #73

My guess is the catch is going to be the healthcare we can receive. I pay 500 a robinlynne Jun 2012 #10

This is still a free market system Motown_Johnny Jun 2012 #15

Let me fix that sentence for you: Schema Thing Jun 2012 #19

Insurance companies don't 'provide healthcare'. n/t PoliticAverse Jun 2012 #29

great point. robinlynne Jun 2012 #33

Talk about life being better with FACTS lol. Why do people insist on mingling those two terms? cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #64

No they will not. they are going to raise current rates 9.9% this year and robinlynne Jun 2012 #30

"Probably at that price, you will only get to see interns, student doctors. " dionysus Jun 2012 #20

I ahve been shipping for ehalth insuracne for my Mom, 78 yeras old. Experienced doctors will robinlynne Jun 2012 #32

that is how it is right now. Unless you have insurance through an employer, or an HMO. robinlynne Jun 2012 #34

The insurance could go to any provider, except for closed systems like Kaiser. pnwmom Jun 2012 #35

and you think the insurance company is going to give great health care for less profit? good luck. robinlynne Jul 2012 #50

Insurance companies don't give care; doctors do. pnwmom Jul 2012 #54

Yes, from a cost standpoint, but not from a likelyhood one. Ruby the Liberal Jul 2012 #59

Again, health insurers don't have to make a profit. The best tend to be non-profit. pnwmom Jul 2012 #70

I have Kaiser, aged 57, $418 a month, have no problem seeing my doctor. Ikonoklast Jul 2012 #61

same boat different story The Jungle 1 Jun 2012 #36

Congrats! I love hearing stories like yours! n-t Logical Jun 2012 #38

I just checked and I will be able to retire before i am eligible for Medicare likesmountains 52 Jun 2012 #40

Great news! Congrats! Logical Jun 2012 #41

This is quite a heartwarming thread. Being able to retire with a good conscious... joshcryer Jun 2012 #44

You are lucky you live in a state that will have exchanges. TX won't, I think (where I am). Honeycombe8 Jun 2012 #47

Wait, woah. 15% copay? My heart, my failing heart. Zalatix Jun 2012 #48

There will be an annual maximum out-of-pocket. Roselma Jul 2012 #55

So what is the maximum out-of-pocket? Hasn't the bill been written and passed already? cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #66

Annual max out of pocket is tiered. One way to Roselma Jul 2012 #80

According to the OP the maximum out of pocket is 15% of total cost. former9thward Jul 2012 #74

It will help a lot of people when we can finally break this employer-provided custom treestar Jul 2012 #56

The catch... RAlgarJr Jul 2012 #60

Medicare seems to work... cyberswede Jul 2012 #62

Here's two: SCHIP and NFIP. n/t Chan790 Jul 2012 #63

Sort of true..... physioex Jul 2012 #65

Seems to me that Social Security is a real success. NRaleighLiberal Jul 2012 #67

Dude... you stepped in it now. And on your first post even. cherokeeprogressive Jul 2012 #69

As a recipient of both Soc Sec and Medicare, I'd say "the catch" is they both work really well... pinto Jul 2012 #71

Enjoy your PPR.... NYC_SKP Jul 2012 #79

The difference for me would be $4000 under ACA in 2014 vs $16,800 today. Kablooie Jul 2012 #68

I used this tool for my situation... rbnyc Jul 2012 #75

Check out also the Patient Protection part of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act too patrice Jul 2012 #76

If You Can Afford An iPhone or iPad or Netflix or Video Game Consoles.... Yavin4 Jul 2012 #97

How much extra in taxes would you have to pay in a country with single payer?? cbdo2007 Jul 2012 #120

Precisely. Most Nations with Single Payer Have National Sales Taxes Yavin4 Jul 2012 #122