A Little Bird Told Me

[somarco]

some things about what carriers are experiencing in the early days of Obamneycrap.

One carrier has laid off half their in house direct marketing staff. Seems it isn't working out so well. Higher not taken rate, persistency less than 4 months.

Another carrier is getting squeezed by providers. Some hospitals are asking for 30% higher reimbursement and no one is willing to negotiate contracts that extend in to 2014.

 

[Yagents]

Looks like alot of people are taking their free preventative care, getting clear tests, and then running away.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

Just wait until 2014 when people are getting that knee surgery then walking away.

 

[dgoldenz]

Would be nice if more companies came out with bonuses similar to GR's this quarter...

 

[HealthGuy]

Obamneycare? Never heard of it! ;-)

 

[bill3173]

Just wait until 2014 when people are getting that knee surgery then walking away.

I had a referral call me the other day for Health, and she told me that she had surgery for diverticulitis several months ago, and gave me a long list of meds. She came to me to get on the Fed Plan, she anticipates another surgery in the next few months. She dropped her plan shortly after the surgery and follow up visits, and the lady isn't broke.

She knew about both State and Fed plans we have here and the requisite costs and admission criteria. She took a gamble letting her coverage lapse more than 63 days, because you're ineligible for immediate pre-ex coverage under the State, and have to wait 6 months for the Federal. She knew all of this, and was willing to take a risk for that 4 month period.

It's easy to understand why a lot of agents hold out hope on this thing, but here in NC, it seems that we've been given a window into the future. The system is so easy to manipulate, and the system that is coming should be even easier to game in it's present form. Even if you pay a fine, so what, they're not talking about a fine equivalent to the cost of insurance.

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

We tend to think some of these people are "evil" but they're not. They're playing well within the rules of the system.

Anyone want to take a guess at how many people would drop their car insurance tomorrow if it wasn't required by law? They "should" keep it to be responsible, right?

My guess is over 50%.

If you can go without health insurance, then pick it up just to cover any medial event then drop it again, you're almost stupid to be paying premiums.

 

[somarco]

MA residents, home to Romneycare, have figured out how to game the system. Residents of the other 56 states will do likewise.

Only problem with that game plan is accidents and sudden health changes . . . heart attack, stroke, bleeding ulcer, ruptured appendix . . .

Always amazes me the folks who say they are healthy and only need something so they can afford to go to the doc if they get the flu.

Or people like this that will buy insurance when they need something that can wait a few weeks.

My back has been bothering me lately and I have not driven the last 2 days. Guess I did not need to pay for auto insurance those days. Wonder if I can get a refund?

 

[Crabcake Johnny]

A safer way to game the system in ultra-high deductible - $15,000.

Say under Obamacare that my premium would be $900 for my family. Screw it - buy a $15,000 deductible plan for $180. Need an upcoming surgery? Grab a plan, pay my $900, get the surgery, cancel.

However, if I'm flown to shock trauma I'm covered. I have to eat $15,000...but I'm covered.

 

[somarco]

To get back on track, the real purpose of this thread was to let you know the carriers are doing to well with DTC marketing. I doubt Humana is the only one with poor experience.

The other was, providers are wise to Obamneycrap and not willing to hang themselves out to dry in 2014.

Of course if HHS decides to set provider pricing it really doesn't matter. Frankly, it would not surprise me one bit if they attempted to limit provider price hikes and limit how much a provider can earn.