November 2013 Newsletter

“Navigators,” Facilitators for Obamacare

Caution! Verify that you are dealing with an appropriately-licensed individual
before sharing any personal information on Healthcare.Gov.
– Office of Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, Consumer Alert November 8, 2013

Although the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare as constitutional, that decision allows states to decide (a) whether to create a state health exchange (Georgia did not.) and (b) expand Medicaid (Georgia did not.). Expanding Medicaid could cost states up to $53 billion over the first ten years.

Does Obamacare-compliant health insurance have a deductible before it begins paying?

Obamacare-compliant health insurance will have government assigned “in-network” doctors and hospitals for each policy level – bronze, silver, gold and platinum.
Projected Deductibles: Before insurance begins paying for healthcare, individuals may pay up to $6,3501 out-of-pocket, while out-of-pocket payment could be double that for families.

Will Obamacare premiums be uniform across the state?

Georgia is divided into 16 insurance regions, with premiums depending on where you live. Individuals age 26 – 35 paying $316 per month in Atlanta, would pay $4 more in Macon, but in southwestern Mitchell County the same coverage in the same age group would cost $466.

Why did 34 states reject a state exchange?

An exchange would cost each state between $10 million and $100 million per year, leading to tax increases. Also, state-created exchanges provide an avenue for HHS to impose one-size-fits-all rules on insurance products sold in the state, making it easier for the federal government to regulate individuals and businesses, collect more fines and taxes for redistribution, deny care to the elderly and increase insurance premiums.

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November 15, 2013 Radio Commentary

Obamacare in Georgia

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, November 15, 2013 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. Since Georgia Obamacare premiums vary from place to place, the cost of your premiums depends on which of the 16 insurance regions you call home. Georgia Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens said insurance rates in Georgia will increase nearly 200 percent for some folks and self-employed or small business owners will face increases up to 25 percent.

Health insurance experts identify Atlanta as one of Georgia’s lower premium cost regions, while insurance in southwest Georgia could be up to 40 percent higher for the same plan. Individuals between age 26 and 35 could pay $316 per month in Atlanta and $4 more in Macon, but in southwestern Mitchell County the same coverage for that age group would cost $466.

In September, Georgia community health providers were still unsure how to implement the federal health exchange, since Georgia is one of 26 states that chose NOT to set up a state exchange. Also in September, the Better Business Bureau warned that scammers may call asking for your bank account number and other personal information, to set you up for a phony “Affordable Care Card.” To that, the Better Business Bureau said, “Legitimate government officials will never call and ask for personal information over the phone.” Continue reading