It's astonishing how bad this thing really is... and no subsidies for me...
Did you know that NONE of the major hospitals* in Seattle [Swedish Hospital, University of Washington Medical Center, Providence Hospital, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Veterans Medical Center] are in-network on the plans offered on the Exchange? I read this and couldn't believe it, so I actually did some fact checking myself. I didn't check every plan from every provider, obv, but it appears to be true -- I didn't find any contradictory offerings. And that there is no cap on balance billing for out of network expenses under those plans? This doesn't affect me, since I can't buy a WA plan anyway, but ... not good.
And I found out that unless I go through the exchange, I'm not eligible for subsidies. Yay. I didn't want to be forced onto one, but the alternative is a terrifying amount of money. So a person can go via the exchange and get subsidized coverage that sounds ok -- until you actually need something and find out no one who accepts the insurance you have will see you ... or you can buy direct and spend a bloody fortune with no help at all, because you need better coverage. Or, you know, coverage that includes *some* hospital in the metro area!
This is such an awesome deal, I can barely stand it. Fuckhead in the White House and friends *definitely* improved my healthcare. I mean, I can't actually afford any healthcare anymore, but if I could, no one could stop me from getting my non-existent children eye exams! Makes it all worthwhile.
*the other big one, Harborview, is OK through some Exchange insurers but not all.
And I found out that unless I go through the exchange, I'm not eligible for subsidies. Yay. I didn't want to be forced onto one, but the alternative is a terrifying amount of money. So a person can go via the exchange and get subsidized coverage that sounds ok -- until you actually need something and find out no one who accepts the insurance you have will see you ... or you can buy direct and spend a bloody fortune with no help at all, because you need better coverage. Or, you know, coverage that includes *some* hospital in the metro area!
This is such an awesome deal, I can barely stand it. Fuckhead in the White House and friends *definitely* improved my healthcare. I mean, I can't actually afford any healthcare anymore, but if I could, no one could stop me from getting my non-existent children eye exams! Makes it all worthwhile.
*the other big one, Harborview, is OK through some Exchange insurers but not all.