General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This message was self-deleted by its author [View all]Zorra
(27,670 posts)health insurance companies. That's really tragic; hopefully, the ACA will be the doorway through which we can eliminate this working the system nonsense forever. My ACA subsidized plan is excellent, relatively speaking. But my premiums after subsidy generally cost between 6% and 8% of my net monthly income. My net monthly income is variable month to month. A reasonable value, that I feel fortunate to be able to afford without significant hardship.
I am pleased that folks are sharing their experiences in public forums, as a way to generate discussion, raise awareness, and elicit ideas for possible solutions to the problems of having to work the system in order to insure that they or their loved ones would get adequate health care.
I suspect most of those who have been frustrated by the system empathize with emotional rants, they know how authentic they are, most having probably at some point smashed a small household item or two when frustrated by dealing with the bureaucracies related to the for profit health care industry
With all due respect, I believe you may possibly be jaded by this long experience in learning to be an expert at dealing with insurance companies. If I was to go around and ask ten of my neighbors what a formulary is, nine of them would probably have absolutely no clue. A major problem with the ACA, IMO, seems to be the official assumption that everyone understands the rules and the ins and outs of working the health insurance system, that everyone has good reading comprehension skills, and that everyone has knowledge of how to use a computer, and how to negotiate cyberspace effectively. This is a mistake, these things frighten people who are ignorant about them, and these are formidable obstacles which they avoid because it all seems like rocket science to them.
Effectively, it really is rocket science for them.
You are very fortunate to have been so well accommodated over the phone by these companies it has been my experience that many people do not always have that kind of experience. In fact, when I am conversing with intake staff in the offices of health care providers, I often mention the problems I have had with health insurance companies. I have seen many of them roll their eyes, and tell me that they know the drill and could tell me stories.
I talk to people about insurance and the ACA in my daily life. I carry the phone number of the local ACA navigator at all times. I call the navigator and set up appointments for people on the spot. I give out the healthcare.gov number to people who potentially have the wherewithal to negotiate the system over the phone, barring programmatic requirements or system failure. I helped my closest neighbor sign up for Medicaid. I helped the disabled man who works on my guitars sign up for Medicaid. I helped co-workers and friends get signed up for much needed semi-affordable health insurance coverage.
The reason I do this is because I understand that they are afraid. Some have been propagandized by the RW, others are afraid of looking stupid, or afraid of failure. They don't know what to do, and I do know what to, so I do it for them, without much personal time expended. If I asked all the folks I have assisted what a formulary is, 90% of them wouldn't the slightest clue.
I know for a fact that it is a huge mistake to assume that people understand the ins and outs of working the health insurance, system, because most really don't.
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