What limit does "Obamacare" set for what can be charged for pre-existing conditions?

[Snake Alchemist]

Is there a set maximum or is it per condition?

[Atman]

1. That is a legitimate concern...it's like COBRA, only worse...

So they say you can't be denied because of pre-existing conditions. But I've yet to see where it says there is a limit on what you can be charged for the insurance. I recently left a job I held for nearly five years, and I had great health insurance. Now they say I can do the COBRA route...for over $1,600 a month. Is it any wonder people opt out of health insurance? If I were a betting man, I'd bet that I won't need $1,600 a month worth of health care before I land another job, or switch over to my wife's health plan. But...seriously...$1,600 a month? That's more than I pay for housing! How is this a good system? How can anyone defend this?

[pnwmom]

10. Wrong. There can't be any increase due to pre-existing conditions.

Premiums go up according to age, nothing else. So a young person who is seriously ill wouldn't pay more than any other young person. And at the top end, when most people do have pre-existing conditions, it's still lower than typical premiums today.

[Hoyt]

2. I think in 2014, insurers will not be able to charge a differential for pre-existing conditions.

As of 2014, insurers cannot charge consumers different rates for health insurance because of health status or gender. You can be charged more for your age -- with older people paying a higher premium than young people. But that increased charge is capped at no more than three times the standard rate.

[Snake Alchemist]

6. That is awesome, but I have to wonder what the point of carrying health insurance is unless the

penalty is higher than what carrying coverage would be.

[spedtr90]

3. In 2014, no higher premiums for pre-existing conditions?

"Uninsured people with pre-existing conditions in every state now have access to coverage through the new, temporary Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan. This serves as a bridge until 2014, when insurance companies can no longer deny or limit coverage or charge higher premiums to anyone because of a preexisting condition."

http://www.healthcare.gov/blog/2011/01/preexisting.html

[Snake Alchemist]

5. Awesome. That will save me.

Thanks!

[cbdo2007]

4. People with pre-existing will pay the same as everyone else.

That's the point. They can't deny coverage for pre-existing condition so you get the same coverage at the same price everyone else does.

[DefenseLawyer]

7. What is the limiting mechanism for simply raising the premiums for everyone

to cover the added cost exposure for insurance companies? I can't imagine that the insurance industry is simply going to eat it.

[MANative]

8. That's the point of the mandate.

It increases the size of the pool dramatically, thus spreading the risk. That's also why you get slightly better rates in a group, or employer, situation than buying individually. From what I undersand, the law limits by statute what profit private insurers can make as a way to add further power to keep rates lower.

[Hoyt]

9. The cap on medical loss ratio, & Exchanges will presumably do that in that you can compare premiums.

Purchasers of insurance will have to be diligent in looking for the best deal. One nice thing about eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions is that you can jump to an insurer offering a better deal. That is almost impossible now for anyone with conditions from allergies to terminal cancer.

[pnwmom]

11. If they can't "eat it" they can pull out of the business

and we can move to Medicare for all.