Obamacare's average monthly cost across U.S.: $328

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Obamacare's average monthly cost across U.S.: $328

By Caroline Humer
Wed Sep 25, 2013 3:33am EDT

(Reuters) - Americans will pay an average premium of $328 monthly for a mid-tier health insurance plan when the Obamacare health exchanges open for enrollment next week, and most will qualify for government subsidies to lower that price, the Obama administration said on Wednesday.

The figure, based on data for approved insurance plans in 48 states, represents the broadest national estimate for how much Americans will pay for health coverage under President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law next year. The prices of the new plans are at the heart of a political debate over whether they will be affordable enough to attract millions of uninsured Americans.

Prices were lower in states with more competition among insurers and higher in states with fewer players, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said in its report. Americans will be able to sign up for the new plans via online state exchanges beginning on October 1.

"For millions of Americans these new options will finally make health insurance work within their budgets," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said during a briefing with reporters.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/25/us-usa-healthcare-exchanges-idUSBRE98O03P20130925

[NYC_SKP]

1. And yet people complain. Say they just use clinics and pay cash, no problemo. Bullshit.

People on this board have said fuck Obamacare, I'll just pay the fine.

They don't need medical care because they are in good health and just go to clinics and pay, over time if necessary.

I call bullshit. What happens if and when they need a procedure that costs $1/4 million, (not that rare) or are injured beyond ever being able to work again.

They aren't going to be able to pay back shit.

Such people, IMO, will be leeches, parasites, on the system.

ObamaCare requires participation, that participation is the right thing to do for the community, for the collective good, to keep other paying customers' rates low.

Sure, like anyone else I'd prefer Single Payer and not enriching insurance companies, but ACA will cut their profits dramatically and cut my costs in half.

Folks that truly cannot afford the premiums get subsidies to make it affordable.

[David__77]

2. You think uninsured people are parasites and leaches?

I don't agree with that characterization.

[NYC_SKP]

13. No, only after ACA is implemented and

Only people who can afford it but refuse to participate.

[mike_c]

4. you know, when democrats begin calling poor people "parasites and leeches..."

...something is terribly wrong.

[NYC_SKP]

14. There are many conservative extremists who refused to pay taxes.

This is like that.

Naturally, ACA isn't in place yet.

[grahamhgreen]

3. Up from $183/mo in 2011. Medicare for all now. At least a public option.

Report Highlights -- Active Policies Surveyed in February 2011:
The average monthly premium paid for individual policies was $183, while the average premium paid for family policies was $414.
Between February 2010 and February 2011, the average premium increased 9.6% for individuals and 5.6% for families.
The average deductible for individual policies was $2,935, and the average deductible for family policies was $3,879.
Between February 2010 and February 2011, the average deductible increased 11.5% for individual policies and 9.9% for families.
Half of all individual policyholders paid $149 or less per month in premiums, and half of all family policy holders paid $353 or less for monthly premiums.
The average plan lifetime limit per member was $4.2 million. This average applies only to policies with specified limits. Though provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will phase out lifetime limits for most covered medical services, this report surveys policies in effect as of February 2011.
The range of average monthly premiums paid for individual plans across the United States fell between $119 in Iowa and $382 in New York*.
The range of average monthly premiums paid for family plans across the United States fell between $261 in Iowa and $932 in New York*.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/How-Much-Does-Health-iw-1773357078.html

[mike_c]

5. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It's the insurance company profit mandate.

[Hoyt]

6. Do you have idea what premiums would be under Medicare? And Medicare is run by insurance companies.

I have no problem with Medicare for all, but the premiums won't be cheap.

And, right now, private insurance companies administer every Medicare claim.

Further, 28% of Medicare beneficiaries have voluntarily elected to sign up for Medicare Advantage Plans which are private insurance plans. That percentage is growing every year.

Medicare for all might not be the panacea many think. I do believe in a single payer system, although don't think a lot of people are ready for the concept now. Nor are a lot of people ready to make the sacrifices necessary for one to work.

[grahamhgreen]

8. Two-thirds of Americans support Medicare for all. Big insurance must die.

http://www.pnhp.org/sites/default/files/docs/2011/Kip-Sullivan-Two-thirds-support-medicare-for-all.pdf

[SheilaT]

11. Medicare is not run by insurance companies.

There are supplemental plans that are. There's a difference.

[Hoyt]

7. We get good news, and yet people still complain.

[grahamhgreen]

9. Good news that premiums are up $145/mo? Good news for what entities?

[Hoyt]

10. Where do you get premiums are up $145/month for equal benefits, expanded coverage, etc.

[grahamhgreen]

12. Here:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/How-Much-Does-Health-iw-1773357078.html

[Hoyt]

15. Not sure those plans are comparable to national average in the OP. But, I see where you got $145.

The demographics are different, pre-existing, life-time limits, providers, etc.

But, I do appreciate the source, and will keep it in mind as I continue to evaluate how this is shaking out.

[quadrature]

16. the cash economy will suffer ...

as the working class sends its $$$ to the 1 percenters

just effin wonderful