Quote:
Originally Posted by wj94
"If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor"
"If you like your plan, you can keep it"
Just heard this week from Anthem (BCBS) in VA that starting in January, there will be no PPO network options at all, even off the exchange. Everything will be HMO networks with no coverage outside the state of VA. The new plan networks are also smaller than the existing HMO network with a lot fewer specialists. Plans inside the exchange will have an even smaller HMO network than outside the exchange. Rural areas are going to have a major issue with access to specialists.
There will also now be two tiers of hospitals with different coinsurance percentages for each one. You can guess which hospitals have the higher coinsurance (the more expensive ones).
All silver plans are $2k+ deductibles with $6k+ OOP max for individuals and $12k+ for families. The only way to get a lower deductible is with a gold plan ($750 deductible). Platinum plans will not be offered at this time because they would be too expensive.
Anthem currently owns about 75% of the market in VA. Talked to a few of my clients already, they aren't too happy. Will be interesting to see if the other insurers offer PPO plans to try and gain market share.
On a side note, we are now 9 days away from the exchanges opening and exactly zero companies in Virginia have released their plan benefits and rates to the public. Agents have also been given zero information on benefits and rates. This is shaping up well.
Obviously because the most important issue to all Virginians is that they have nationwide health coverage. Thus it makes it more tricky. If everyone in Virginia did not require their health plan to directly cover the entire US and every hospital and doctor within, as you have told us they do, things might be easier for them.
I can't even venture a guess as to why the state of Virginia would intentionally be one big insurance cluster when it comes to the ACA. Can not think of a single reason why that might be the case. Certainly no chance any forces are deliberately or intentionally trying to make it so.
Also I guess all those doctors who are not included will retire or just close up shop. Sometimes it is hard to believe you peddle insurance for a living (ignoring the requisite that a good salesperson is often full of crap).
Any chance your customers and clients are worried because you are feeding them self serving nonsense?
I am sure the percentage of people in Virginia without insurance will skyrocket in the next few months.