Florida Blue Bait and Switch Tactics

[RayNY]

Sorry, didn't mean to offend you. I understand if you don't want to reply, but there is no need for an attack of my professionalism, especially a baseless one.

By "just go renew the guy", I meant "just write him in the plan he wants", not shove him into the garbage plan the carrier suggested. I can see how it's misconstrued, my proofreading isn't so great in the morning.

I honestly didn't think that taking the carrier suggestion was even an option you'd consider.

 

[SecureHealth1]

You're silly, just go renew the guy.


Renewal premium goes up, we've always known this. Carriers map clients to the new ACA plan with premium most similar to your existing plan, not the one with the closest benefits. We've known this, and there is no law that states otherwise. They offer him the opportunity to change his plan, and have given him timely notice in accordance with law.

Seems like they did everything 100% legit, and had it duly approved by the DOI. Accusing them of "Bait and switch" completely doesn't even apply to this situation. (Bait and switch requires advertising something that isn't available, which they're obviously not doing.)

I agree with RayNy...

 

[AllenChicago]

BlueCare Plan 804 issued in 2012.

Blue's exact term in the letter about the plan switch is "We have enhanced our products in 2015 and we want to help you move easily into a new qualified health plan that is similar to Blue Care Essential HSA 1486. This plan includes more benefits than your current plan..."

Their verbiage not only makes no sense but is a total, complete lie-his current plan has a MOOP of $5,000, copays for everything (including outpatient surgery) and they are claiming an HSA with both higher deductible AND higher MOOP has more benefits because it is 'enhanced'. Enhanced with what? Maternity benefits? The guy is 50 years old, I don't think he has much chance of collecting on that enhancement.

Sounds like the same cookie-cutter type letter that our IL Blue sent out to customers last year. Fortunately (for them and him) Prez Obama came out about 2 weeks later and announced that people could keep their plans. BCBSIL agreed. These companies shouldn't try to embellish with the letters, when it's impossible to do so. They should just say, "Your deductible and premium are going up to $_________ and $__________. Sorry!" That's what they've done the past 20 years.