My medical expenses this year will end up around 40% of my gross income.

[LuckyCharms]

That's enough to cause me grave concern.

BECAUSE I have "good" insurance. Premium costs, deductibles, formularies and yearly plan maximums are killing me.

Oh well, at least the border is safe.

Fuck you, trump. Fuck you sideways.

By the time the walking creamsicle is done fucking with the ACA (therefore affecting the entire health insurance market), I'll be bankrupt.

Oh, and to you lurking freepers... I feel I need to remind you that when the new tax plan went into effect, I plugged some numbers into my trusty tax spreadsheet. If you think you will be rolling in cash because of the Trump tax plan...wait until you complete your 1040 in a few months. You're going to have a surprise, and it's not going to be a happy surprise. But at least you made the liberals cry, you stupid motherfuckers.

[dhol82]

1. Yup, my accountant has made me prepay bucks for the next tax year.

He knew from the beginning.
Gonna be a whole shit load of people waking up to a WTF moment for next April.

[Jersey Devil]

9. People in places like NJ are going to be shocked

With the cap on real estate and state income taxes capped at $10k, a lot of people in NJ are going to lose thousands in deductions. Before I moved from NJ about 2 years ago my real estate taxes alone were over $16k. Together with state income taxes I would have lost well over $20k in deductions. If people didn't prepay like you did they are going to owe quite a bit.

[George II]

14. It was a huge scam directed toward the uninformed, ignorant trumpers...........

They said the standard deduction would be "doubled", but it really wasn't. In 2017 for a married couple it was $12,700, in 2018 it's $24,000 - not double.

But what people weren't told is that along with the increased standard deduction, the personal exemption of $4,050 was eliminated.

So, looking at both combined, for a married couple with two children in 2017 the standard deduction/personal exemption was $28,900 and now it's only $24,000.

That wouldn't be a big thing, but with all the eliminated deductions the net is LOWER than last year. The bottom line is middle class workers will be paying MORE than last year.

[exboyfil]

26. They upped the child tax credit to reduce that issue somewhat

That is a 1000 more per child. At 22% tax rrate that protects $4500 of income. Also the rates have been reduced. At 12% rate the credit increase means even more.

Of course if you have older kids or adult children that are still dependents, then you do get the hit you described.

[George II]

29. Yes, they reduced the tax rates but at the same time eliminated many deductions...

...which is why people on the coasts, who have high real estate taxes and other formerly deductible expenses, will be screwed.

Back when Reagan boasted about his big tax cut, it was a similar manipulation - lowered rates but reduced deductions. The first year it was in place I was unemployed most of the year. I wound up paying MORE that year than the previous year, even though my income was lower.

[exboyfil]

31. I was only addressing the exemption issue

I agree with you on the changes to deductions. I think that is part of why the Republican party got wiped out in California.

Fortunately for me my housing expenses are low in my state so I was actually itemizing even before this change. I feel for what happened to those in high cost areas.

[George II]

34. People with high medical expenses (like the OP) are going to be hit hard next year. Thankfully....

....there was a late minute compromise and the deduction for medical expenses were left for 2018. But next year that's gone, unless the Democrats can work something out, which is doubtful.

Getting back to the exemption, before this year whether someone itemized or used the standard deduction, they still got the personal exemption (I think it's $4,050). So, if someone has been itemizing anyway, the increased standard deduction means nothing, but a married couple (like myself) will lose that $8,100 reduction in taxable income.

[dhol82]

23. I'm in New York and that was the reason.

[allgood33]

54. The big problem with this is that the Democrats are not forcing the media to explain this to

people. It ought not take the by surprise but it will because no one is preparing the ill-informed about what is about to hit them.

[ooky]

2. And don't forget

they have their "guns".

[violetpastille]

3. I'm so sorry.

[erlewyne]

5. Me too!

And I have been screwed a few times. Health insurance sucks.

Now my VA (veterans) is being run out of some golf course in Fla.

[violetpastille]

8. Hugs for you erlewyne.

This absolutely sucks.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

4. That is so wrong

We need to have some sort of medicare for all system so that people don't have to scrimp and save because of health care expenses.

[LovingA2andMI]

6. The cost of "Healthcare" is becoming UNAFFORDABLE, again...

The 80/20 BS, along with Premiums that don't include Deductibles, Co-Insurance and Out of Pocket Maximum costs. We need Medicare for all. PERIOD.

[SoCalDem]

7. one quibble...

Medicare IS 80/20 unless you buy additional "gap coverage"..

I am 69 and my basic medicare costs me 125.00 a month plus another 99.00 to Kaiser for advantage plan + drugs.. I still pay copays of $20 for office visits $30 for specialists and the drug plan has "tiers" to their deductibles.....

My ss left over is $680 a month..

[llmart]

16. I think a lot of people don't understand that Medicare itself isn't enough.

So when I hear people repeating the mantra of Medicare for all I want to scream. They only pay 80%. If someone needs open heart surgery or any other major surgeries that 20% would bankrupt most people. As you've said, you have to purchase something additional.

[area51]

41. I understand your concern,

but I think most people calling for Medicare for All realize that the current form of Medicare isn't enough; what people are calling for is comprehensive Medicare for All. Please take a look at the PNHP link.

[leftyladyfrommo]

40. I have Humana Gold Advantage Plan and my office visits are $5.

Drugs are $6.

Specialist $45

Emergency $80

There is the problem with the donut hole but I don't really understand how that works. I don't have any real medical problems so I never get close to the upper limit.

Two years ago I was in hosital over nite for heart tests.

My part was $110

[zipplewrath]

55. The surprise of the Donut hole

The donut hole is calculated on the retail costs of drugs, not what you pay. So you get to the donut hole faster than you think. Then once you are in it, you are not eligible for any cost assistance so you pay the full retail costs until you escape the hole. It's a killer and I still don't understand why the ACA left it in place this long. I'm waiting for 2020. The House won't cancel that feature.

[LibDemAlways]

11. I agree that Medicare isn't cheap.

Last edited Sun Dec 2, 2018, 12:33 AM - Edit history (1)

$134 a month is automatically taken out of my skimpy SS check. Then I have to pay $225/month for supplemental coverage and an extra $33 for prescription drug coverage that is little more than a discount card. That's before co-pays. Takes a big chunk out of the budget. Medicare for all would be an improvement, but if it copied the present format, it would still be unaffordable for many.

[question everything]

12. Bad news. Medicare will now be $135.50 a month.

But I had to look for another plan now because of "changes. I ended up with a spreadsheet they had some as low as $0 but did not include medications. Then they had several other plans with $300 or $400 drugs deductible.

[llmart]

15. Similar situation for me.

You didn't mention what sort of supplemental plan you have, but I have the Plan G medigap and the annual deductible is only $183. It's worth it to get the highest supplemental plan. It costs me $131 per month through AARP. I have the basic drug plan and that's $27.

[hedda_foil]

17. You are overpaying badly.

Do some research. You can get the identical supplement plan for much less. I'm paying $140/mo for the G Plan, which is identical to Plan F ... Which is probably what you have. The only difference is You pay the Part B deductible of around $160 a year. Also, if you're paying that much for meds, use the calculator at Medicare.gov to find the cheapest policy that covers all your prescriptions in the lowest tier. If that's Greek to you, there's lots of info online. I hope this helps.

[LibDemAlways]

60. I'm in Southern California. That's what

Plan G costs in my area through United Health Care, which is the cheapest option in my zip code. Anthem is even higher. Costs are regional. Others are fortunate to live in areas where supplementals cost less. My 95 year old mother who lives near me pays a high premium, too.

[pangaia]

22. $225 for supplemental? Wow!

My advantage plan with Excellus is $35/mo. I picked out of 5 or 6 options.

Coverage is very good, except 20% copay for any chemo.

Docs are $15, specialists $20-25.
No deductible.. Max out of pocket is i think $6000.

Includes drug plan.

Has 2 dental cleanings..xams. 1 eye xam.. bett3r than last year.
Where i live Excellys is a non-profit, which gelps.

[exboyfil]

27. I think plans are very regional in nature

It is insanely complex, and I am not looking forward to navigating it. I can't believe the amount of mail that my mom gets with these plans soliciting her to change her coverage.

[pangaia]

32. They are regional and statewise as well.

I have heard of some Excellus plans from friends that are basically nothing at all...

I have been very lucky, so far.

MVP is also here in Up--State NY and also a non-profit. I had MVP since 2008, then switched to Excellus last year.. very similar.....

[LibDemAlways]

61. Yes, regional. If you live

where I do in Southern California you get screwed. My supplemental this year was $225/mo. Next year it goes up to $237. Good luck navigating this stuff. I used a guy online who was very helpful in providing data and helping me get the most bang for the buck.

[Nanjeanne]

50. I pray you don't have to get chemo. My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma

and his first infusion of Daratumumab we got a notice that our 20% of one infusion was $31,000. He is supposed to have 16 infusions and then monthly for as long as they continue working.

Thank goodness before he was diagnosed we got a supplemental policy rather than an Advantage one and hopefully the supplement will pay the extra.

But it’s insane that people are expected to choose programs that may not be good enough if illness strikes. And it’s doubly insane that taxpayers are paying for the government to subsidize private insurance companies so they can offer low cost Advantage policies. If the government wasn’t subsidizing private insurers our money would actually be going for healthcare.

I pray none of you face a devastating illness and realize just how fucked up our system is.

[LibDemAlways]

62. Excellus isn't available where I live. In

Southern Calif. in order to get decent coverage you have to shell out big bucks.

[pangaia]

64. Some of the Excellus programs are terrible too. Just depends on where one lives.

[LeftInTX]

28. I'm transitioning to Medicare and unless you purchase a supplement, you can go bankrupt

I'm not even eligible for a Medicare supplement. After years of quality group insurance, hubbie's retirement insurance is not affordable.

I'm going with a Medicare Advantage. Going to be much more expensive than group insurance.

Making a decision about Medicare is like buying a house!

[pangaia]

33. I have an Advantage plan but am very lucky, so far, that where I live in Western Up-State NY

there are 2 pretty good (good ! HA HA) non-profits.. I pay $35 a month this year for good coverage...

[llmart]

42. Why aren't you eligible for a supplement?

[LeftInTX]

44. I'm not 65. I'm disabled. No one under 65 eligible for B,F,G. Loophole in the law.

I can get a supplement, but only Plan A at very inflated prices. One supplement is $1,000/month. The other is $400/month.

I've been on Medicare since 1995.

[llmart]

46. Ah, now I understand.

I absolutely abhor the way that insurance companies rule our lives nowadays. We need a Congress that will regulate the crap out of them.

[LeftInTX]

47. Fortunately, I only have 3 years until I turn 65!

The Advantage Plan I'm looking at is a PPO and my docs are all on it. (We've been on PPOs for years) I'm not going to like the drug prices. I'm also going to miss my double insurance.

[cpamomfromtexas]

10. Same with us regarding medical expenses. And the hillbillies will riot next March when they realize

they didn't get a real tax cut.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

13. Are you saying you will be paying 40% of your income out of pocket

for your medical expenses? That's truly horrifying.

[Niagara]

18. I'm sorry, Lucky

Hang in there, we now have the House and Pelosi fighting for us.

[Honeycombe8]

19. Do you have employer-provided insurance? Or is that ACA individual policy?

The biggest kicker is the cost of pharmaceuticals. The Big Pharma companies have Washington locked up. Neither party has done anything about the cost of meds. Big Pharma got that provision in Medicare Part D put in, that prohibits the fed from negotiating drug prices. That provision needs to be removed.

The govt needs to start regulating pharma prices because people are getting sick & dying because they can't afford their meds. It's outrageous. We're paying for the low prices that other countries get, because their govts prevent price gouging for meds.

I don't know how you can afford 40% of your income on medical care. That's horrible. I don't know what I'd do, if that happened to me. I've been lucky so far with my health, and now I can go on Medicare soon. Phew. My deductibles under my ACA policy varied from $4,500 to $6,500 in different years. It was like having catastrophic insurance, except that it wasn't affordable like catastrophic ins. It has been very expensive.

I hope you got good care, though, and your health improves.

If we get back the Senate, it's possible Washington can do something about drug prices. I hope. We'll have to force them, though. And that would be after Trump is dealt with, which is the priority.

[Ron Obvious]

20. This has little to do with Trump

US medical care is a bipartisan clusterfuck.

[Demsrule86]

24. It absolutely has to do with Trump...making having coverage not mandatory, cutting subsidies...

have caused premiums to rise everywhere...and if they are successful with the court case Pre-existing come back for all insurance including employer insurance. The ACA can work with some tweaking and it is all we have and all we may have for many years.

[Ms. Toad]

21. Ours are around 300% of our gross income. Each and every year. n/t

[ck4829]

25. Kick

[cyclonefence]

30. My out-of-pocket drug costs last year were $30,000

And I have good insurance. My husband still works part-time (at age 70); I don't know what we'll do when he can no longer work. And the fucking tax cut? There's $5 more in each paycheck. That'll buy a lot of Victoza.

[Vinca]

36. We've reduced our cost for drugs by buying from a Canadian pharmacy.

They're very reliable and we've never had a problem, even for stuff that has to be kept cold.

[cyclonefence]

37. Thanks

That's good to know and worth checking out. Do your doctors have any concerns? Are the brands (for name-brands) the same?

[Vinca]

43. The drugs are exactly the same and the only remark one of the doctors had was

how sad it was that Americans had to buy drugs necessary to sustain life (insulin) in another country.

[LeftInTX]

48. When you purchase in Canada does doc give you paper script?

The doctor has to support purchase from Canada.. because they will ask why you want a paper script.

Does the doctor research the pharmacy?

The reason I ask, is they worry that scripts will get sent to schiester pharmacies. If the doc is familiar with the pharmacy etc, then they are more likely to provide a paper Rx. (There are "Canadian" pharmacies that pedal counterfeit drugs. They aren't real pharmacies, but middle men who are set up in Canada who import from China and India)

Also, since I live near Mexico, I can take my paper scripts and go to MX. (Doctors around here for the most part aren't keen on Mexican pharmacies. )

[Vinca]

49. The doctor gives a paper script and you send it to the pharmacy by email.

The doctor had no idea we had started buying insulin from Canada. I know there are scam pharmacies, but we researched the one we use and are happy with it.

[LeftInTX]

45. Our docs are into electronic scripts these days.

[Vinca]

35. I've come to the conclusion that unless things change drastically, there will come a time

to just say to hell with it and die.

[McCamy Taylor]

38. I have been there, too. Premiums for two "high risk" individuals

plus their deductibles and out of pockets can consume entire paychecks.

[spinbaby]

39. $19,000 for me last year

And I had no significant health problems. The cost of decent health insurance for a retired 64-year-old, co-pays, deductibles, and some dental work all added up to about $19,000.

[beachbum bob]

51. my niece's premie bill is now over $3 MILLION, consider yourself lucky

[Maru Kitteh]

63. Oh yes. We're all so lucky.

Don't be crass.

[beachbum bob]

65. $3 million is far from crass

[Maru Kitteh]

66. Telling other people to feel "lucky" about their strife

is.

[Ohiogal]

52. Medical insurance in this country flat out sucks.

People in other sane countries who have subsidized medical insurance probably wonder why we just can't "get it" like they do. It's shameful. Thanks, Republicans.

[Soxfan58]

53. Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

Are all threatened by a healthcare system that is way behind the rest of the developed world.
But build that fucking wall asshole!

[delisen]

56. Maddening! can you tell us what you find acceptable in healthcare?

Your experience is horrible but valuable for those of us discussing health care costs.

Do you see the only solution as a single payer, government managed program which covers us all according to need and not tied to employment?

Right now that is what I see is needed. However I am open to other ideas.

[LuckyCharms]

58. This is what I envision:

1) An extremely robust public plan in which the financing would be managed by the government. This is the same as our current medicare. Medicare is currently managed/processed by government contractors who have an extremely low overhead rate.

2) These public plan contractors (read: medicare contractors) would be decentralized and staffed by current insurance company employees.

3) This public plan would be funded by income taxes or some other form of tax.

4) The system would cover every soul (United States citizen) whether they are employed or not. Also, whether they ever contributed directly to the system or not. We would all fill out the same initial paperwork.

5) While the government certainly would have a say in financing matters, practical medical matters would be as hands off by the government as possible. Doctors would be allowed to practice medicine, within established parameters negotiated between the medical community and the government (read: best practices would be established). Once established, doctors would be freed from fighting with insurance companies.

6) Employers would no longer bear the burden of sharing premium costs with their employees, thus increasing their bottom line earnings, thus increasing their earnings per share, thus increasing shareholder value, thus improving the stock market, as well as giving employers true incentives to expand their business and increase their head count.

7) An option would be made available to those who want Cadillac Care (ie: private rooms as an inpatient, etc.). The cost for this would be paid directly out of the patient's own pocket.

[delisen]

59. Thank you for spelling this your plan. I can use it in talking with people.

[redstatebluegirl]

57. Yep we did the same and had more taken out so we didn't get the Trump surprise in February.