[StBernard] letter from BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana on healthcare reform

[Westley Annis]

Is this real? I received this letter today from BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana.    --  SJK

 

Letter from BlueCross BlueShield of Louisiana HEALTHCARE REFORM UPDATE June 24 2013 What Does Healthcare Reform Mean for You?

Dear Valued Member,

Healthcare reform is changing how people buy health insurance.  In these times of change, you can count on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana to help teach you, guide you, and support you.  With nearly 80 years’ experience, we offer you healthcare coverage that you can afford.  Plus, we give you access to top doctors and specialists in all 50 states.

You must have health coverage or you must pay a fine 

The new healthcare reform law is called the Affordable Care Act, or ACA.  With this law, starting in 2014, all citizens must have health coverage.  Also, all employers of a certain size must provide insurance to their employees.  If you do not have health coverage, the government will fine you.

Health insurance will be purchased online, on sites much like Expedia or Amazon 

According to the new law, each state must have an online Health Insurance Marketplace.  On Oct. 1, 2013, the marketplace will open for insurance shoppers.  Because you already have coverage, you can shop or do nothing.  Coverage bought on the Health Insurance Marketplace will begin on Jan. 1, 2014.  Through this marketplace, we will offer a variety of plans with many benefits and different co-payments and deductibles.  You may work with a local insurance agent to purchase or change your insurance, as well.

Our plans will cover essential health benefits According to the ACA, all health insurance companies must offer the same set of standard or essential health benefits in all plans.  For example, to be a qualified health plan, we must cover emergency room services, maternity care, mental health, lab services, pediatric vision and dental services.  If your current plan does not have all of these benefits, we will contact you soon to talk about a new plan that is qualified.

Rates will change

The ACA will expand coverage to millions of Americans and broaden benefits.  But, with new government taxes, new benefits and new rating calculations, you can expect to see an increase in costs.  For instance, the ACA contains eight new taxes and fees that will directly affect premiums.  And as we mentioned above, all plans by law must now include a set of standard or essential health benefits.  More benefits (ex. Maternity care, ER services, pediatric vision and dental services) add to the cost of your plan.

Also the law creates a new way of calculating premiums.  As a result, insurance companies can no longer vary rates based on health.  This means that insures may not charge sicker people – who use more medical services – higher premiums.  And they cannot charge healthier people, who typically use fewer services, lower rates.  As a result, people will be grouped together and healthy consumers will help to offset the costs of unhealthy customers.

More information to come

At BlueCross, we know that many of these changes can be confusing.  So, in the months ahead, we will send more news to explain how your plan may change.  We will also tell you about the products we will have on the Health Insurance Marketplace.  We will still give you the same high-quality service you expect from us.

For more information, call your agent, visit our website at www.bcbsla.com/understand <http://www.bcbsla.com/understand> , or call us at 1-800-392-4087 As always, we value your business.

Sincerely,

Brian P Keller

Senior Vice President and

Chief Marketing Officer