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

[Westley Annis]

SJK:  This part at least is not true under certain circumstances:


>You must have health coverage or you must pay a fine


Also, I found this:

For individuals earning above 400 percent of the poverty line, where no
subsidies are available, those who cannot find coverage that costs less than
8 percent of their income are not required to buy coverage. They will not
face a fine, in other words, for going without a health plan.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/01/readers-have-ques
tions-about-obamacares-penalties-we-have-answers/

I also seem to recall reading an article that said if your state (La in this
case) did not elect to participate in the expanded medicaid program that
they cannot fine an individual, but I'm not totally certain on that.

Since you appear to already have ins. by BCSLA, you probably won't have to
get too involved in the exchange or anything dealing with it.






	-----------------------------------------------------
	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