ACS vs people who already have health insurance

[clydefrand]

Even tho I'm on Medicare and I'm not really concerned (for now anyway) about my coverage. But, reading about the ACA, I'm confused. The following article seems to say that insurance companies have to meet a minimum coverage even for individuals that have had their individual policy since before the ACA was passed. I'm reading about millions of people who have been paying for their own coverage are getting notices that their policy will be canceled eff. 1/1/14. However, another part of the article seems to say any policy in effect at the time ACA was passed can continue with no changes.

Anyone out there have a current/reliable source(s) that explains this in layman terms>

http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/29/21222195-obama-administration-knew-millions-could-not-keep-their-health-insurance?lite

[Puzzledtraveller]

1. Mine seemed to change every year in minor ways.

So I cannot honestly blame the ACA. I am a state employee so I'm sure it was legislated what my insurance must include. ACA or not, the plan I currently have and love is gone next year. I chose the plan that best approximates what my employee contribution is on my current plan so I can keep my take home pay about the same. I was mostly able to do that. Here's an overview of the plan I chose for 2014.
https://personnel.ky.gov/KEHP/LWCDHP%20SBC.pdf

[PoliticAverse]

2. The issue is about plans that existed on March 23, 2010, and those that came after.

Those that were in existence already on March 23, 2010 were 'grandfathered' and have different
rules than plans that came after.

This link explains all about the grandfathered plans:
https://www.healthcare.gov/what-if-i-have-a-grandfathered-health-plan/

Plans that came into existence after March 23, 2010 might not comply with all regulations
that take effect on Jan 1 (and don't get a grandfather exception) and so may have to be
replaced with new policies.

[gcomeau]

3. It's fairly straightforward actually.

The ACA does not force insurers to change their current plans. So if you're on a current plan and it keeps getting offered you can stay on it. Period.

The ACA DOES set minimum standards on what has to be offered by any NEW plans. So if your insurer (ALL BY THEMSELVES) decides to cancel the plan you're on then any new plan they offer as a replacement has to meet those minimum standards of coverage.

If you were on a crappy plan that covered nothing before and they cancel it, you're not going to find another crappy plan that covers nothing on the exchanges. Whih may mean you end up paying more (but for much better coverage)


People saying the ACA is making people lose their current coverage or that the admin knew it would do anything of the kind are distorting the truth.

[PoliticAverse]

4. "ACA does not force insurers to change their current plans." - that's not necessarily true.

And isn't true if the plan is a current plan but is a non-complying, non-grandfathered one.

See my post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3943657

[gcomeau]

5. Yes, it is true.

All your post says is that some plans started after 2010 are being forced to change. As in plans that started AFTER Obamacare was already passed and the new standards were put in place.

It is not the ACA's fault that insurance companies offered plans within that window that they knew damn well were going to not measure up to requirements under existing law. And those plans didn't exist when the admin was making its statements BEFORE the ACA passed that people who had plans THEN would not be forced to change them because of the ACA.

[PoliticAverse]

6. You wrote 'current plans' not 'plans offered before 2010' in your post so my point stands. n/t

[gcomeau]

7. No, your post doesn't stand.

Because the topic of this ENTIRE THREAD is the admins statements PRE-ACA implementation that "current plans" would not have to change.

That statement was true. Claims to the contrary were false. The end.

[PoliticAverse]

8. So by 'current plans' you didn't mean 'plans currently offered'. Glad you clarified that. n/t