Affordable Care? Gasp! Boondocks.... - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Affordable Care? Gasp! Boondocks....

The Restless Youngs · RV-Dreams Family Member

Been looking at the insurance stuff and most likely--depending on your state--you should be able to buy an independent policy for less....with potentially better coverage. And, depending on your income, the credits with the "affordable" care act may make help with deductibles, etc. The unfortunate part is that first year penalty of $95 (or 1% of income) for not having insurance grows each year, and I think it caps in 2016 at $695 or 2.5% of income. So much more to learn about this....and once all of the exchanges are in place, will make it easier to make some decisions.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

The Cobra payments for the job I quit 4 months ago were $700 a month. Even $695 tax penalty for a year seems a bargain compared to $3600 a year for bare minimum insurance. I spend all my time trying to make a living, after taxes, I maybe clear $2000 (maybe) and have food, gas, rent, vehicle insurance, business insurance, visa payments, cell and internet, vehicle maintainence.... I don't have another $300 a month. Perhaps I should just direct deposit every penny to everyone, and go live in the woods and hunt ducks at the city park to feed me and the dog.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can tell you, being older, that before insurance became an "industry", one of the few left in the US, health care was affordable. To keep this from becoming "political" maybe we should concentrate on what alternatives or answers anyone might have because I know a lot of people are looking. I am just hoping that it is delayed until their is another answer for this issue. We are SO lucky to both have VA Healthcare since we are both veterans. Our adult son with DS gets Medicaid. In the last 20 years, I have seen a doctor twice, my husband 3 times and our son probably 20 times. We don't take prescription drugs but use homeopathic/herbal since the medical machine failed our son more than once and we had to search for our own answers. Years ago, I bought a book at Costco called "Prescription For Nutritional Healing" and another by Jean Carper called, I think, "Food As Medicine". They are great books. I am currently studying "cell salts" and we have tried a few and they work well.

I keep saying every day, "I'm moving to the woods. Done with it! All of it!" That encompasses a lot of things. I do think this frustration over so many things is leading people to the RV life too and I cannot believe how the number of people has grown in the last 20 years. We first became interested in the RV life 20 years ago but at that time, it was almost strictly people who were retired. Ten years later, we were meeting contractors and their families and now, people who leave their homes looking for a job and realize that being on wheels has a real advantage not to mention those that have taken their businesses on the road. Maybe only RVing will save the sanity of the people and make us feel a little less trapped. I get sort of unpleasant when I feel trapped! Well, like the "Medusa" who had snakes for hair in classic literature, not sort of.

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Saturday 7th of September 2013 05:52:17 AM

Lonney Wade · RV-Dreams Family Member

I say Amen to that, you go girl, I'm right with you!!!!

Lonney

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you believe the 'conspiracy theories', then trapped it is; another thing about this health care, it's going by state and county, and I don't think there's much "wiggle room" for moving about, at least not openly.

Snow Gypsy, I've been doing what you do for probably 35 years; I grew up on the typical bad American diet (all my mom "cooked" was the cheapest ground beef, on white bread as burgers, with frozen French fries. Frozen pizza. By 19, I was sick, and looking to nutrition and alternative healing). I did have a spot of skin cancer removed about 4-5 years ago, and I was on anti-depressants for about 9 months 10 years ago.... until I stopped eating gluten, then within a week, the depression and migraines, and migraine auras all stopped. The anti-depressants were in the trash a month later, after I titrated down. So, I have "pre-existing conditions" even though, like you, I never really get sick or go to the doctor. In fact, Kaiser was sending me questionaires on why don't you go to the doctor? What alternative medicine do you use? What is your diet? And they even were sending me invitations to donate samples of my DNA to their data bank! (It was kinda creepy and weird).

I worked in social services, with DS, but mostly autism and pschizophrenia, so I know all about the pills (though, it is necessary with some, or it would be a much more dangerous world for the rest of us). That's one reason I just had to quit (even though we had good health insurance) what is really going on in some of those non profits, and county mental health, is not what you think. I'm a little afraid we are all being pushed into having the same type of "health care" these SSI indigents get.

Yes, the frustration.... everything of value, even a 10 year old used truck, with 100,000 miles, needs to be financed.

Any suggestions from anyone out there, on where a very healthy, youthful 55 year old lady can get health insurance for $100 a month in Nevada, much appreciated. I did read, these new health insurance laws have pretty much banned collective buying power, that some artist/actor associations are having to cancel their member policies, because they are now outlawed; it's only "individuals" or get a "real job", and individuals are getting @#$%!

Edit by moderator: Removed a few words getting close to "political." Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 8th of September 2013 10:12:49 PM

jswharton · RV-Dreams Community Member

Employed through the end of the year and so far so good for ObamaCare. We had a couple of regular procedures for two healthy 60 year olds that in the past were subject to deductibles and copays. This year 100% covered!

Looking at options my cobra would be about $1,100 per month. The current catastrophic plans, first $10,000 we pay, would cost between $500 & $600 per month. The information I have seen, heard and read is that the plans that quotes will become available October 1 for January 1, 2014 coverage will at a minimum will have standard basic coverage, catastrophic plans are gone, and the cost is maybe half of what is currently available. That all sounds good to me.

Guess I took the red pill, If everyone is covered then the total cost is spread and many who only have access to expensive emergency room care will have coverage. Here in Houston 25% of the children under 18 have no health coverage. Seems like we should be able to do better.

Here is the link to the government web site. I hope that when the plans are released there will be something that fits your particular needs and budget. best wishes!

https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace

Edit by moderator: Increased font size to more readable one. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Saturday 7th of September 2013 09:52:55 AM

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

I too am a very healthy 52 year old woman. I take no pills. Had a physical in May. All the numbers that should be high were very high and the ones that should be low are very low. I had been self-employed for over 10 years, made good money and paid for my own health insurance. Every year my premium went up. I carried a catastrophic coverage plan. Paid for physicals, etc and has d a $5000 deductible. That was the number that made the most sense to me. About 7 years ago I had sinus surgery after meeting my deductible by fighting sinus infections for most of the year. Then I was really stuck. Everytime I tried to look at a different company or even changing the policy with the same company they wanted to stick a pre-existing condition clause on the policy excluding anything to do with my sinuses...

The cost of the increasing premiums finally outstripped my income when I decided to shift my focus for earning an living and I took a chance going 18 months without health insurance. I was waiting for the Obamacare requirement for no limits on pre-existing conditions to kick in and I figured I would get insurance again then. Unfortunately, that part of the plan was postponed.

Since I took this job I now have company paid health insurance that for all practical purposes is pretty good. The only downside is that there is a pre-exisitng condition clause on it that says they will not pay for anything that was diagnosed or treated prior to May 1, 2013 (the date my coverage kicked in) for 12 months. Okay, no biggie provided I don't have major sinus issues in the meantime.

When I had my mammogram they noticed something. Follow up mammogram and ultimately a biopsy that showed I have a very, very early stage of breast cancer in my left breast. No real issue as the mammogram was in June, follow up in July and biopsy/diagnosis in August. But here's the kicker. I decided I want to go to MD Anderson in Houston for treatment since it is such an early detection and they are the best in the business. MD Anderson will not schedule an appointment because of the general pre-existing clause in my policy. They are worried they will not get paid. The options they presented me were to make a $21,000 new patient deposit (yeah, right) or fill out their 20 page financial assistance application and they would see... Well, I looked at their application. It basically is checking to see if I qualify for VA coverage, SS, Medicare, Medicaid, etc. None of which is the case. I'm a working adult WITH health insurance!

The insurance has paid everything to date on this and I have already met my deductible. Even the insurance does not understand MD Anderson's hesitancy. Thankfully the insuarnce is trying to sort it out with MD Anderson, but they will not write a letter guaranteeing coverage either. Everyone is more concerned about the almighty $ than my health. The longer I wait for treatment the more the cancer stands a chance to grow and require more extensive treatment which of course then costs more... How crazy is this? If the pre-existing clause didn't exist none of this would be an issue.

I wish I had a good answer Hina. I too might've drank the koolaid, but it seems logical to me that if everyone has coverage the cost is spread across the whole and should be better. Until we reach a place where the focus is on health rather than making a profit I don't think we will find a good solution.

Edit by moderator: Removed some words getting close to "political." Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 8th of September 2013 10:19:44 PM

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you google Christian alternatives on this system, they are out there and my husband says they are approved under the affordable-not program. I do have a couple of links but won't post them here since I don't know if that would be appropriate. I'm going to keep looking at this and contacting my reps in the government. A lot of people have already had their work weeks shortened and many others will as this comes closer so there should be a lot of chatter on the internet. I think a lot of people will be paying the fines because they have no alternative. Sad.

Edit by moderator: Removed some words getting close to "political." Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Sunday 8th of September 2013 10:21:45 PM

The Restless Youngs · RV-Dreams Family Member

Not a fan of the requirement at all (hate being told what to do!!), but am a fan of having some level of insurance/castostrophic coverage. If you are in good health, (as of now) there are less expensive options (depending on state and your history, you could pick a plan up probably as low as $100) than COBRA and most likely the exchanges. The tough part now is trying to figure out how the exchanges impact other insurance plans moving forward. The "affordable" in the Affordable Care act is unfortunately a little misleading, imo.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina: I know, it is almost a crime to be healthy these days! I have comments said with a sneer, "Well, aren't you healthy woman." and on the VA checkup I had 2 years ago, when all tests came back with good results, the nurse practitioner wanted all sorts of data on our lifestyle and diet. It was interesting in our case because my husband and I both came back with almost the exact same results which to me says that lifestyle does play a major factor in health. They keep cringing because both of my parents had heart issues and both had cancer and short lives and same with my husband's family. We all have an expiration date. I guess just keep reading everything we can about "afffordable-not" care and maybe someone will be able to come up with a solution. My state, KS, really opposes this so I'll contact my reps and see if I can get an update.

nightsky · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm wondering how easy it will be to find a plan/company that will cover a full-timer who moves all over the country? I will have to start looking pretty soon as I have been notified that the coverage I currently have ($600 per month premiums with a $3000 deductible) will be cancelled when Obamacare goes into effect. Can anyone that's domiciled in SD offer any names of companies to check with?

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Wow, $1,100 a month and $600 a month are not affordable to me; I worked most of my life in social services, "helping those less fortunate", for $12 a hour, non profit, in a high rent area, where every penny went to keep a roof, gas and food. Spent 10 years getting it together to get out.

Snow Gypsy, at almost 55, I have already out lived both my parents; mom dead of a diabetic coma at 47, dad at 53 of colon cancer. They smoked all day long, were alcoholics, and ate a bad diet. They set such a good, bad example for me!

Dance Chick · RV-Dreams Family Member

We currently have a HSA with a $10,000 deduct.-per family, not per person. Anything after the deduct. is paid 100%. There are some wellness visits included "for free". For this we pay $663.00 per mo, and it goes up every year. I also had a pre-existing in that I had visited a chiropractor once or twice and was honest on the application. Well, wouldn't you know. They've disallowed anything back related - even if I have an accident that wasn't my fault and am paralyzed. They said my back could be weak, so therefore, more vulnerable to injury. That ticks me off, but what are ya gonna do?

I haven't paid attention to Obamacare as I figure I can't change it or do anything about it. I decided to do a Scarlett and worry about it tomorrow. Well, I'm afraid tomorrow is almost here. I'm holding my breath to see how we are affected.

My late BIL was part of a Christian healthcare network until he was eligible for Medicare, and I think that worked well for him. It might be an option to think about if we get screwed with the new "Affordable" Healthcare.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Carol, hang in there, and in the meantime, do all you can yourself with alternative treatments and diet. This is not meant as medical advice, and is not a substitute for professional treatment... When I had skin cancer, I actually had 3 spots pop up on my face, and 2 on my hand. I went on a strict cleansing vegan diet, herbs, meditation, everything, and cleared up all of it myself, except for one deep, stubborn spot, which needed surgery. It not only took diet and herbs, but a lot of soul searching too.

Bobbi · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina wrote:
Just looked up what the minimum for me, who never gets sick, takes no prescription drugs, and no pre-existing conditions would have to pay.... A minimum of $300 a month for catastrophic care only! That is not affordable. If I can get a credit, maybe $200 a month. Good thing I set my rig up for off grid, I may have to Boondock fulltime, my rent money will be spent. A tax fine of $95 a year seems a lot more "affordable". I don't want to cut the quality of my food or supplements to pay for this, because quite frankly, 35 years of being a "health food nut" is why I don't have pre-existing conditions or am dependant on drugs to survive. Problem-Reaction-Solution. Create health problems with poor quality food and TV commercials (do you have restless legs?) jack up drug prices til no one can afford them, bring in "affordable care", which is not affordable.
I know this forum doesn't like to get political, but this will affect all the younger RVers making an independent income, and most of us are just making enough as it is.

I totally agree - you are absolutely correct! Like I said in my recent thread on this very topic, our cost is estimated at over $8,000 a year for two of us. Same as you, we don't take medications or have any pre-existing conditions. We eat quality, clean food, get regular exercise and are not obese. We believe in holistic/alternative medicine, herbs and essential oils. We avoid Western medicine as much as possible.

This "affordable" health care has the potential to put our RV dreams on hold or no longer possible: I don't know yet - my brain is working on it. My state is trying to opt out as we speak. We'll be paying the fine for the first two years if our state doesn't opt out. So at the very least, we have two years to make a move. We can buy the RV as originally planned, which was supposed to be next year, and strap ourselves by putting every dollar toward paying the RV in those two years, but this will not be enough time to pay it off before the affordable health care fine takes a significant jump in the third year.

Bottom line - this has the potential for wiping out dreams and long-term plans for people like us.

Bobbi · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina wrote:
....at almost 55, I have already out lived both my parents; mom dead of a diabetic coma at 47, dad at 53 of colon cancer. They smoked all day long, were alcoholics, and ate a bad diet. They set such a good, bad example for me!

I have a lot in common with some of you here! I grew up with the same eating habits as you did, Hina! White sugar, white flour, white potatoes, soda, junk food, boxed and TV dinners - you name it - plus, we're PA German Dutch, so that means you add sugar to everything! Amazingly, my parents are 73 and 67. They both still eat a lot of crap - especially my mom. But they are also both taking medications for this and that - not a fate I am interested in. If I get sick, I have to figure out what to do to try to fix it myself - and more times than not I am able to do it with alternative methods.

Now I eat a low carbohydrate diet, have four gardens, a large orchard and various berry and bramble plants. I practice organic growing methods only.

Jo And Craig · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm still working and have not had time (or needed, just yet) to delve into insurance for when I retire. So, what does all of this mean? Can I NOT purchase a private insurance policy when I am able to retire and be done with it? We want to hit the road ASAP, but are caregivers now. Should I be concerned that our dream of RVing could die, as well? This is scary! furious

-- Edited by Mary Sunshine on Sunday 8th of September 2013 03:23:50 PM

charles · RV-Dreams Family Member

My parents were born in 1901 and 1907 . One lived to 93 and the other 87. They grew up on butter, whole milk, lard, bacon and the like. Yep all that finally got to them.

I dont think that it is the food that we eat, it is what is in it and I dont know what to do about that.
Just my thoughts.
CCC

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

charles wrote:
My parents were born in 1901 and 1907 . One lived to 93 and the other 87. They grew up on butter, whole milk, lard, bacon and the like. Yep all that finally got to them.

I dont think that it is the food that we eat, it is what is in it and I dont know what to do about that.
Just my thoughts.
CCC

About all you can do is try to eat more foods in their natural state. We try to eat all the raw and unprocessed foods that we can. And, it isn't just the food but the exercise and I'm betting your parents got plenty of it! Probably helped make the butter, milked the cow and tended the hogs. Also, people didn't use to eat 3 times what they needed to stay alive. Without insurance, people tended to not run to the doctor for every little ache and pain, used natural remedies instead of pharmaceutical creations that often create a different reason for yet another pill. If you buy butter or whole milk at the store, even bacon, look at all the ingredients and processes it goes through. Really, I remember when milk lasted just a very few days not 2 or 3 weeks, we make our own almond milk. We once went on vacation for 2 weeks, came back and I had left some buns on the table and they were still fresh so I threw them out since that just isn't right. We quit eating bread, I make homemade tortillas to replace it. With my parents, they didn't get much exercise and were "stressed" so the doctor handed them "downers" and this was the 60's and my husband's parents were on them also. Lots of people were on them. That didn't help the situation. Easy answers never work.

My worst fear is that they will try to force me to use the health industry against my will. I don't want to become sick so I want them to keep their tests, their hands off of me, keep their prescriptions and most of all let me die in peace when the time comes my way. I am sick of being "required". My older son hopes to retire to the Philippines and I used to think that was a bad idea, used to think.

Bobbi · RV-Dreams Family Member

charles wrote:
My parents were born in 1901 and 1907 . One lived to 93 and the other 87. They grew up on butter, whole milk, lard, bacon and the like. Yep all that finally got to them.

I dont think that it is the food that we eat, it is what is in it and I dont know what to do about that.
Just my thoughts.
CCC

Your parents grew up and largely lived during a time when we didn't have so much genetically modified food, fast food was a once in a while thing, everything wasn't "factory farmed" to death, the food and air was cleaner, and people probably spent less time in front of the TV. Having said that, I had an uncle who was a severe alcoholic. He drank whiskey nearly every day. Somehow he lived to 80. I don't think we quite yet understand everything about longevity.

Don't feel powerless to do anything. What we can do about it is grow our own food, return to a lifestyle where we are more dependent upon ourselves for our food...grow heirlooms...make our own compost instead of chemical fertilizers...homesteading and the like. We do not have critters yet, but I want to have our own chickens. My fiance is a hunter, so I get a freezer full of venison every year. That's about as free range as one can get. Other than that, I do a lot of organic gardening and preserving. All of that is hard - if not impossible for some - to do if you are a full-timer.

Bobbi · RV-Dreams Family Member

SnowGypsy wrote:
maybe we should concentrate on what alternatives or answers anyone might have because I know a lot of people are looking. I am just hoping that it is delayed until their is another answer for this issue. -- Edited by SnowGypsy on Saturday 7th of September 2013 05:52:17 AM

I hope it is delayed as well. I don't like that we are not given a choice. Honestly, without being given a choice and inevitably having to pay a larger and larger fine to avoid it, the only choice I can see is reducing living expenses and/or raising income. I have already done a lot of stuff to reduce our living expenses.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

I have seen the need to "edit" a few comments and delete a few as they were getting pretty close to "political," risking the possibility of follow up comments actually making it that way. Let's keep this thread's comments related to alternatives to staying healthy and to options for insurance without bringing in anything that could be deemed political by anyone else.

As much as I'd like to, I won't comment.

Thanks for your cooperation.

Terry

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry: Wanted to say thank you for editing whatever it takes to allow the thread to continue. I think A LOT goes without saying here and we probably all agree so no reason to take it there. Better to take your thoughts and opinions to your legislatures. If we didn't have the VA Healthcare at this point, we could not even consider full-timing because that expense would definitely put us over-the-top so I understand the frustrations. For our RV, we need a place for my food dehydrator and Vitamixer, as these are essential in our diet. If this mandated insurance goes the way of Medicaid(putting more people into the system determined to get their money's worth since they are paying), which my son has, prepare to make yourself healthy without the medical machine because they will be referring you to over-the-counter medications and in our son's case, asking basically if we have a "level" of care we would want before............... and I couldn't believe he asked with my son sitting there as a prime example of a healthy person with DS and many of those like him with health care issues have a DNR in place. He does not. So, healthy is going to be essential no matter which way you go. My other thought is that if we are "required" to carry this that the insurance companies should be operated as a non-profit organization.

-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Monday 9th of September 2013 06:21:56 AM

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

I just figure, my RV insurance is about $80 a month, I think I have a $500 deductible, my specialty business insurance is about $110 a month (which I thought was high) covers me for getting sued for up to $300,000 so I guess I figure "affordable" health care should be about the same. But $300 a month, for only "catastrophic care" with a $10,000 deductible? On top of the $3,600 I already paid? What's the point, unless you get hit by a bus or get cancer? And I don't like living my life depending on the "eventuality" of stuff like that.

Bobbi and Snow Gypsy, seems ironic, but after all these years of healthy diet (and sometimes getting ridiculed for it by people with a diet Coke in hand) we are now basically in the same boat, with the costs of that care spread onto us too. And the idea of getting a "real job" just for the insurance is going away too, as a lot of employers are cutting hours to avoid paying. (Another thing I don't like, "real jobs" generally entail being a "fake person")

Snow Gypsy, what do you think about dehydrating food on the dashboard? I'm mobile, with no counter space. I do have a set up for growing sprouts in the shower!

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

Snow Gypsy, just thought of something; I worked for an agency with group homes for mostly DS, as a fill in staff person. There was one house, where the overweight house manager decided it was "healthy" to buy every type of fake, low calorie diet food she saw on TV.... Splenda, NutraSweet, and that fake fat. I thought, isn't your brain made out of mostly fat? Doesn't your brain and nerves need good quality Omega 3 oils to really function? How is denying people with already faulty brain function real fat helping anything? And Aspartame has been shown to exacerbated psychotic symptoms. Yet, feeding people who already have faulty brain function and psychotic symptoms this sort of stuff is encouraged, because the psych drugs they are all on cause diabetes and weight gain! So it's a weird, self perpetuating circle. After months of watching this, did I notice anyone losing any weight? No! Failed experiment! But they keep on going, because TV commercials tell them to!

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina: Have you seen the food dehydrators that unfold and hang, plastic-type trays, with a plastic or fiberglass screening? I have one of those also. You could do something like that yourself easy enough with trays with holes and buy some fiberglass screen so that if any bugs get in, they couldn't crawl on it. I have used mine along with the electric one because when fruits/veggies are on sale, I tend to get really excited and buy all I can get my hands on. Love dehydrated strawberries with a passion!

We partake of 0 fake sugars and never have and that was a concern, the diet, if our son went into residential care. We adopted our son when he was 4 weeks old and trying to keep him healthy was a blessing for us. We limit sugar also and generally use dates or agave to sweeten things. You probably already know that corn syrup is basically an evil thing in our diets so we put those items back on the shelf. We also don't have a microwave. We have cut way back on wheat, dairy and meat and our sinus issues improved greatly.

We took our dog to the vet, $98.00 for a urinary tract infection. The antibiotics they gave her caused her to itch and she went in her crate and chewed big chunks of her hair out. I stopped the antibiotics and used our own "medicine". If I had been sure it was a urinary tract infection, I wouldn't have taken her and just treated it myself. Her entire face swelled the last time she had yearly immunizations now this year, we'll try only the rabies and hopefully she will be fine.

And, this is for Veterans: VA Healthcare is not just for retired military. If you served, you may qualify. There are limitations on income and for us when we entered, I think for 3 people it was something like $31,000 a year (we live in KS, income is low across the board) and assets, I think in 2001, assets couldn't be over $80,000 but that didn't include your main home and some other things. If you go to the government website for the VA, it will direct you to the forms and information you need. In addition to the hospitals, there are also in some cities, CBOC (Community Based Outpatient Clinics). When this affordable-not care things started, we received booklets spelling out what our co-payments would be and this, if our income increases will increase. I wish that this sort of care could be extended to everyone and become a part of the tax system where we all get equal care.

ClassicRoadTrip · RV-Dreams Community Member

As many of you we are in the same boat. Our home state is MI the state put in place the exchange because of this our insurance was phased out and we needed to take what the law now pushed us to because of the exchange. We have always had the highest deductible possible and the highest copay possible most of the time for things like a cold or flu we pay out of pocket this gave us an opportunity to have insurance for the real things like cancer or any major disease that could potentially bankrupt us. Our insurance went from $98 a month for our whole family to now $687.95 a month so as you might imagine I just love the new law.

After reading the law over 5 times trying to understand the whole mess I came to find out the reality it is all about the exchanges as such the key is to be in a state that will not implement the exchange, again one of the many reasons we are heading toward Texas.

Now even though I am 45 my mother is 70 and I have also had to deal with her medical needs in her case it is way way worse.

As Terry said and to stay away from the political all I will say is if till now you have not read the 5000 plus and growing set of rules and guidelines in this law you should especially if you are over 60. If you already have read it please would love to hear what you plan to do because up to now I have no idea what I will do with mom the fact is if mom has something that is common in the US for the elderly after 65 a broken hip I will probably have to come out of pocket if I want her to get surgery in time.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

These exchanges seem a little like monopolies or something. They make so many rules, there is no way anyone can win.

charles · RV-Dreams Family Member

Louisiana has also opted out of creating the exchanges.
The reason is that within 10 years it will cost the state, not Fed, but the state over 1.3 BILLION dollars.

CCC

ClassicRoadTrip · RV-Dreams Community Member

jswharton wrote:
Employed through the end of the year and so far so good for ObamaCare. We had a couple of regular procedures for two healthy 60 year olds that in the past were subject to deductibles and copays. This year 100% covered!
Looking at options my cobra would be about $1,100 per month. The current catastrophic plans, first $10,000 we pay, would cost between $500 & $600 per month. The information I have seen, heard and read is that the plans that quotes will become available October 1 for January 1, 2014 coverage will at a minimum will have standard basic coverage, catastrophic plans are gone, and the cost is maybe half of what is currently available. That all sounds good to me.
Guess I took the red pill, If everyone is covered then the total cost is spread and many who only have access to expensive emergency room care will have coverage. Here in Houston 25% of the children under 18 have no health coverage. Seems like we should be able to do better.
Here is the link to the government web site. I hope that when the plans are released there will be something that fits your particular needs and budget. best wishes!
https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace
Edit by moderator: Increased font size to more readable one. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Saturday 7th of September 2013 09:52:55 AM

I am curious. You said so far so good for ObamaCare but than you mention you are in Houston of course so good you do not have an exchange nothing has changed in Texas so I think what you meant to say was thank god no Obamacare.

As I mentioned before my home state established the exchange an in order for insurance companies to comply they had to completely change the offerings in my case the company was Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

It is confusing. The way I understand it, 26 states have opted out of establishing exchanges and will leave it up to the Federal Government to do that. That's a lot of states! KS, our state, has also opted out on increasing Medicaid coverage. I believe they had to do this because they could not afford to do this since the wages are low enough here across the board to allow many, many families to qualify. KS has contracted out most of the Medicaid to three different companies which is supposed to save the state money. One of our congressional members is going to have a city hall meeting by telephone tomorrow night and I'm going to try to get in on that and see if this might be discussed and I can't imagine it won't be.

And, CHIP, is the children's program for free or low cost insurance which is available in all states for US citizens, including TX. Some still choose not to take advantage of it. I'm not sure how that will work with families being required to be insured now.

jswharton · RV-Dreams Community Member

From what I understand in 2013 several things kicked in and are mandatory regardless so state. No pre- existing, kids to 26 years on parents policy. For us it was a colonoscopy that in the past was subject to my deductible and co-pay and now Obamacare made this a mandatory well care not subject to the deductible etc.

Texas opted out of establishing an exchange these will work off the national exchange. I've already setup an account on the website and get updates every so often

Edit by moderator: Removed possible political reference. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Thursday 12th of September 2013 07:50:13 AM

Jack Mayer · RV-Dreams Family Member

ClassicRoadTrip wrote:
If you already have read it please would love to hear what you plan to do because up to now I have no idea what I will do with mom the fact is if mom has something that is common in the US for the elderly after 65 a broken hip I will probably have to come out of pocket if I want her to get surgery in time.

What facts do you have to back up your statement that you will have to pay out of pocket to "get surgery in time".

I'm no fan of Obamacare, but I see NO FACTS that support your statement. I have some experience with getting care for elders. I see nothing in the new regulations that will stop surgeries that are of the emergency nature.

ClassicRoadTrip · RV-Dreams Community Member

Jack Mayer wrote:
ClassicRoadTrip wrote:
If you already have read it please would love to hear what you plan to do because up to now I have no idea what I will do with mom the fact is if mom has something that is common in the US for the elderly after 65 a broken hip I will probably have to come out of pocket if I want her to get surgery in time.
What facts do you have to back up your statement that you will have to pay out of pocket to "get surgery in time".
I'm no fan of Obamacare, but I see NO FACTS that support your statement. I have some experience with getting care for elders. I see nothing in the new regulations that will stop surgeries that are of the emergency nature.

Jack instead of doing a back and forth here I will ask you to do exactly the same thing I did and you tell me.

Here is H. R. 3590 http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-111hr3590enr/pdf/BILLS-111hr3590enr.pdf

Now to understand how the rationing will be made you have to read this which is called the Complete Lives System http://bme.ccny.cuny.edu/faculty/mbikson/Courses/BMESeniorDesign/EthicsOfHealthRationing.pdf which the primary architect is Ezekiel Emanuel brother to Rahm Emanuel now he has said that what he wrote has been twisted in to something is not but I would point you to the Complete Lives System graph which basically states a new born baby is worthless and anybody over 65 is worthless because both contribute really nothing to society.

Now this will be done by the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) which was funded here http://www.propublica.org/article/download-the-stimulus-bill-090213 and yes this is a link to the stimulus bill so the rationing board was funded even before they started talking about H. R. 3590 in a bill that had absolutely nothing to do with healthcare.

Now Jack let me be clear at the end of the day I do not have to convince you on anything I really wanted to know what others who have also read all this set of rules and regulations figured how to be prepared. In my case I will not wait to see what will happen and have already started putting aside $3000 a month to build a large medical fund to be sure that I can take a hit and not worry on paper work and red tape to get the best medical option for my loved ones.

See as I have mentioned I am from Michigan whose number one growing industry is medical tourism from Canada and one of the things they routinely do for Canadian elderly citizens is hip related surgeries because of the problems they encounter with the socialize healthcare system. So I have seen what systems like this do and would not want to be put in the same position because even though according to Ezekiel Emanuel my 70 years old mother has no value to society I beg to differ.

Now you may not want to take the Complete Lives System at face value but I do. Something has taught me in my 45 years is words mean absolutely nothing but when things are put in black and white and converted to laws you should take to heart and you easily see where the road takes you.

Now to understand the IPAB just read this http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/advocacy/topics/independent-payment-advisory-board.page? why the American Medical Association opposes the IPAB and supports its repeal.

It is quite simple every year they cut down what the government will pay for surgeries more doctors every year will not take medicare because there will be less and less doctors in the system a backlog will form at that time the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) using the Complete Lives System will determine when you will have the surgery you need. In Canada it is between 1 to 4 days and some patients have died because of the delay now I will concede it has been very few cases "documented" but I guess if we talk to the family members of those that did die I think they would have a very different take on it.

Now you can say this would never happen and that would be fine. In my case I have studied history enough to believe that it seems we are doomed to repeat the same mistake over and over as such we will find ourselves in the same predicament as every other society who has tried this system.

You will fins that inside the documents it will point you to other documents and if you want to be truly informed you will have to do just like I did and hunt down the documents online to understand the complete picture if by the end you do not reach the same conclusion I did than it is what it is.

ClassicRoadTrip · RV-Dreams Community Member

Burzynski: Cancer Is Serious Business www.youtube.com/watch Amazing documentary eye opener on alternatives we are just shut out on.

Edit by moderator: Caution. The video linked above is more than an hour long, so if you are limited on your data usage, you may not want to get started on it. Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Thursday 12th of September 2013 01:52:11 PM

dewwood · RV-Dreams Family Member

I believe anyone over the age of 65 is currently and has been covered by medicare so I do not see where the new health care comes into play. The coverage remains the same as it has been. So anyone age 70 should be covered and in my case it has been excellent coverage.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

There are reports of some doctors stating that they will not or will discontinue seeing Medicare patients. My concern is that the "supply" of those that will still see the older patients may become harder to find and harder to get in to see.

Again, I've had to edit some comments and delete others. Keep the topic on alternatives to healthy living and to options on health care without letting it get political. While we are all going to be affected by laws passed in Washington, D.C. and in state legislatures, I don't want this thread to get into the political realm to where I have to close it or delete it. So far, what I've left in place does have some factual benefit to each of us to help us with health choices.

Terry

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I read that an issue will be that by 2020, there will be a shortage of 90,000 doctors and by 2025, 130,000. They said a lot of doctors are aging out and others are just not going to practice. That will surely have an effect. I know with VA Healthcare in the community-based outpatient clinics, we see a nurse practitioner and I suspect that we will see this across the board. I'm not saying that is a bad thing either. Everyone might want to sit tight on this and watch what is happening out of the lawsuit coming out of OK with 36 states looking at this action as this may play a major role in the defunding of Obamacare. Also, for those choosing to pay the fine and not getting insurance, if this is funded, if you become ill, you will be able to apply and be accepted for insurance at that time since they can no longer refuse or charge you extreme premiums based on pre-existing conditions. So that pre-existing condition thing, I don't know how well thought out that was since it looks like an expensive loophole. Although we get VA Healthcare, if not, we would pay the fine and continue to use herbal/homeopathic medicine. We had thought and there had been talk of ending VA Healthcare so we had to think it through. The more people that become a part of VA Healthcare, the harder I think it will be to extinguish.

ClassicRoadTrip · RV-Dreams Community Member

The biggest writing in the wall is the Complete Lives System. If you are a believer that things will not change if you are over 60 than why the need of a points system to determine coverage. They made this before they passed the law because common sense tells you the resources are not infinite as such if you are now spreading the resources wider you will have to give priority to a group in this case the priority of coverage is to those between 25-50.

Forgetting the rhetoric from any political side and focusing on just the facts once 2015 comes and the Independent Payment Advisory Board and the Complete Lives System takes effect if you are over 60 your medical coverage will be drastically cut. Maybe at first you will barely notice it but eventually and this might take years if you are over 65 you will come down to having access to aspiring and that will probably be it.

The first time I read the Complete Lives System I literally felt sick! It is a modern Senicide.

ClassicRoadTrip · RV-Dreams Community Member

Terry and Jo wrote:
There are reports of some doctors stating that they will not or will discontinue seeing Medicare patients. My concern is that the "supply" of those that will still see the older patients may become harder to find and harder to get in to see.

Again, I've had to edit some comments and delete others. Keep the topic on alternatives to healthy living and to options on health care without letting it get political. While we are all going to be affected by laws passed in Washington, D.C. and in state legislatures, I don't want this thread to get into the political realm to where I have to close it or delete it. So far, what I've left in place does have some factual benefit to each of us to help us with health choices.
Terry

Terry thanks for keeping it open I think if we stick to facts these thread can be extremely useful.

I have some where a txt file with links to alternative medicine that I found in my research as soon as I find it and pray it is not on my main computer in Michigan if indeed I do not have it as I remember I will start pasting the links here.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry's point is well as far as Dr shortages,mainly GP'S.In two years our General Care Dr. has been changed 3 times as they are switching their practice to specialized fields.We live in an retirement community so there is a large amount of people on Medicare and the large clinic is right now going through many changes to accommodate the Affordable Care Act .Right now if you need a specialist there isn't much trouble finding one but a GP is much harder.The trouble is that before a specialist can perform a procedure (surgery for instance) they require you to go to the GP to get the preliminary tests taken care of.It took me 2 weeks to have emergency bladder surgery.

-- Edited by Racerguy on Friday 13th of September 2013 10:16:57 AM

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina/Jane.....

You are absolutely right on the mark on most of our eating habits and exercise

It took me 3 near death experiences before I woke up and learned what proper eating and exercise meant....

poor eating choices led me to Diabetes and a Sugar of over 800 which placed me in a comma and almost kept me in that permanent sleep....

no real exercise and only halfway changing my diet with the mind thought that it wont happen to me led to being Air lifted to a major medical center followed up by a Quad plus bypass and 2 mortal aneurisms that now are part of my life.......and this is only the beginning of the horror show that I brought on to myself!!!(some of it had help from outside sources)

I am 53 years old and thought I was in top shape....instead of living life for the good....I like most got caught up in the good life!!!!!

bottom line......

I get up and ride my bike at least 3 miles a day!!
My Dog insists on 12 plus walks a day!!!!(retaliation for comiting her to a life of servitude...What a life)
I only eat Fresh foods and organics where ever possible..

I no longer put off the Doctor visit

and learned the hard way.....Life is good........but you must treat it the same way!!!!!

The only part of the new insurance that I like is my pre-existing Medical no longer will be an issue(or will it?)

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Friday 13th of September 2013 05:55:06 PM

MarkS · RV-Dreams Family Member

While the premiums are climbing out of control, the reimbursement for the doctors is plummeting. Doctors refuse Medicare because it is not financially feasible. The clinic my wife works at refuses to take tri-care. Our PCP continues to see us gratis because he is military(part-time). God bless him. I believe doctors are getting the short end of the stick. They are professionals with a lot of education and risk. They deserve to make a handsome living. The latest I read was that GPs were earning something less than $120K a year, typically. Not much compensation for constantly being in litigatory crosshairs.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

ClassicRoadTrip wrote: "The first time I read the Complete Lives System I literally felt sick! It is a modern Senicide."

This may be a good time for seniors to rethink some of their eating habits and lifestyle choices; just because the FDA says an ingredient is OK, or because they advertise something on TV as a "healthy alternative", it's not necessarily good for you. And if you think you "can't afford organic, and supplements are too expensive" think about the cost of health care to correct the problems poor diet and fake food will cost. I am sitting here at an RV park, and I constantly see apparently able bodied middle aged people driving a small bag of garbage a few hundred feet to the dumpster, and these people will also drive the 2 blocks to the dog park to let the dog get some exercise, rather than walk. "Convenience" will be the death of many, I'm afraid.

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

When KS switched Medicaid to the 3 private contracted out insurance companies, less providers became available. The last time I took my son in, they said they were picking up one of three but hadn't decided on the other two. They said they end up writing off most of the cost on everyone anyway. I guess it is not a good situation. It just seems the insurance companies are the only ones making money. Profit must be taken out of the game. KS is not setting up an exchange which, if I read this correctly, it means that the Federal gov will set up the exchange but that no one here will be entitled to having the government reimburse them anything on what is paid. Now, the argument becomes that if the state doesn't have an exchange, the employers not providing the insurance, no reimbursements coming in, that the employer would not have to supply their employees with insurance and that the people not buying insurance would not be able to be fined. Sort of like, we really are not a willing participant in the program. I think 36 states are involved in this action. I think my husband said tonight that the AFL-CIO is trying to opt out.

I saw a man the other day get 3 cartons of cigarettes and then put them in a grocery cart since you have to get them from the customer service desk. He then, got one of the sanitizing wipes and spent about 2 minutes wiping over and over again the handle of the cart. I was mystified.

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

I may not have ate the healthiest before my heart attack and maybe I still eat some things I shouldn't like my taste for ice cream but instead of a quart or more a day; it's more like a quart a week; use skim milk usually just in the Morning for crereal. I eat less of everything now and always exercised because I love being and working outdoors. The best I have done is quit the smoking addiction and hope and pray to never touch another one!
Most of you know about my condition; but I walk at least three times a day for roughly 45-60 minutes; sometimes more. I see so many that won't walk I foot to drop trash (especially cigarette butts) in the receptacle and toss it on the ground. Walk the dog is the joke; some let it go on the ground by their RV's and may pick it up once a week or not at all until the CG owner or personell re-inform them of the rules.
I've had some here comment; "My you are out here walking and it is so hot and humid we just don't have the energy." I just say; "One day you won't need the energy to walk because you may not be able too." Some don't comprehend what I'm saying.
I never thought I would be this grateful for serving in the Military; and never found out that I qualified for VA healthcare until the Fall of 2010 from a older man who befriended me at a work camping Job. I could never afford much for healthcare and most jobs insurances from 1985 on were too expensive. It is stiil possible that the Affordable Care Act can get turned down. I'm not sure how correct I am; but if you don't have insurance by Jan 2014; the IRS penalty will set us back $95.00 in 2015; $295.00 in 2016 and 695.00 per individual. I try to follow up; but it gets confusing.

janni · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hina, I hear ya! I have been watching this thread every day and wanted to comment several times. After hardly ever being sick to life threatening sick I have had a look at the medical system up close for the last two years. I thank the Lord I made a decision to keep my insurance. I could not afford the cobra I had so went with BC/BS afforda blue. I have one with a 7500 deductible. Two years ago I got sick the end of December so had to pay two of them. First of all I found it is a partial payment after 7500 until you get to 10,000. My total out of pocket was a bit over 29,000. This year more problems and so far out of pocket has been just over 13,000. Now I am not complaining as the alternative is a lot worse and I could never pay enough premiums to equal the cost of services I received. I just wanted to post to let others know what I have found out.
Oh, I have found out a lot more but I know everything I post would take Terry awhile to remove!

-- Edited by janni on Saturday 14th of September 2013 07:15:54 AM

SnowGypsy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I hope it is OK to post this link as I found it in my exhaustive search for info on Affordable Health Care, not: tucsoncitizen.com/obamacare-news/2013/05/29/obamacare-platinum-gold-silver-bronze/ It is the best info that I have found, something concise and if you go to the sidebar on the left, there is a list of other related articles. The cactus in the background reminded me of the beautiful desert. At one time my dream was to return to AZ and move north to south in just that state with our RV and after seeing the cactus....... Got to get to the RV for sale this morning and take some more stuff to the Goodwill! And ultimately in healthcare, I want to see everyone's needs met despite their income or any other other status.

Hina · RV-Dreams Family Member

I guess I need to add shopping for health insurance to my to do list; there is another thread for RVing Solo, you have to do everything yourself, no splitting duties, up all day just taking care of everything!

Twice recently at the dog park, all the dogs decided to circle around me; knocked me on my but t once, not hurt, the second time, they almost knocked me over in such a way I might have twisted or broken an ankle. Accidents!