Test-driving Obamacare, your humble host has been shocked by fraudulent representations, second-class coverage and premium rates that are hardly affordable….Click here for free audiobook download from Audible, and earn $15 for the PBC Podcast!
In this special report, I take you through my 6-month trial of health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
It began with silence–my January request for followup by email was never responded to. In February, I spent 4 hours on hold before I got a human. He assured my that my doctor was “in network” for Anthem Blue Cross, as the doctor’s office had informed me. I signed up for the most expensive “platinum” plan, with no co-pays or deductibles. He vaguely mentioned that the new policy “may not permit” lawsuits, but could not say definitely.
In March, I got a physical from my doctor, expecting little or no out of pocket expense. When the bill came, it said my doctor was not “in network” and thus I would pay part of the cost. Then I learned of the second-tier “narrow networks” for ACA customers, which was news to me and my doctor. And I found out that Anthem had been trying to get my doctor to sign an agreement to accept lower reimbursement from ACA covered patients.
I have filed a grievance with Anthem, which opened a file in May and has not done anything else. In July, I filed appeals with two California state agencies, asking to be switched to another insurer.
Single payer–Medicare for all–is the solution. But toxic politics will make that difficult to achieve.
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