I was talking to a friend today and she told me

[Mountain Mule]

that her employer held back her paycheck today because of confusion over the ACA and the Republican new so-called"health plan." Sounded like her employer was trying to pull a fast one since the ACA is still the law of the land at least for another day or two. But I guess her insurance was up for renewal, and they wanted her to choose a new plan. She said they want her to pay an extra $400/mo for even the cheapest available plan and she can't afford it. I guess the health insurance companies just can't wait to start raking in bigger profits because I also got a notice from the insurance carrier who just so happens to cover my prescriptions via Medicare/Medicaid and the AARP and coincidentally enough, I got their letter in my mailbox today of all days. I have a disability and I'm forced to take a number of meds to help me deal with it. Well, my insurance carrier informed me that they were dropping coverage on THREE medications that I have been taking for years and that have actually helped. In return they want to substitute some snake oil stuff that I know for a fact won't help my condition because I was prescribed these things years ago with a very bad outcome.

They told me I could file an appeal to have exceptions made or have my doc file an appeal (like he's really gonna have the time for that). I guess this is just a taste of the things to come when the republicans get rid of medicaid, so I can buy an I-phone instead. I'm mad as hell about this and foresee another exhausting morning tomorrow when I wake up and start making endless phone calls. OOOH, I hate 45 and the Republicans so very, very much!

[SharonAnn]

1. As far as formulary, they can change it at any time. But you're locked in for a year.

Same thing with HMO and PPO insurance plans. you're locked in for a year to them but they can change providers at any time.

[hedda_foil]

2. Ask your doctor's office to do it. They do it all the time and the doc just has to say ok.

Honestly, this happens continually and doctors'offices have a system worked out to process exceptions.

[Mountain Mule]

8. I've had it happen but

Never with THREE vital prescriptions all at once. Rural health care in this country sucks even worse than the healthcare in more populated areas. We've had 3 doctors here in my county either move elsewhere or retire in the past month. I can't help but wonder if they just don't want to deal with what is coming. The result has been chaotic. Everyone is scrambling to find a new primary care doc who will accept medicaid. I've had to wait 6 weeks for my next appointment scheduled for this Friday.

[hedda_foil]

14. That's awful. I am so sorry, M.M.

[cos dem]

3. It seems that a lot of companies are using ACA as an excuse to roll out crappy plans.

Insurance companies are in on the game too. It's really easy to blame increased premiums or copays on "that damn Obamacare".
I had my dentist office tell me that the reduced coverage from the insurance was due to ACA, which is total BS, since ACA doesn't involve dental.

[pangaia]

4. That wouldn't be United Unhealthy Care, would it?

[Mountain Mule]

7. BINGO!

The exact same outfit. I am extremely ticked off over their actions - even wondering if I can just use a Canadian pharmacy until I am allowed to change insurance providers.

[pangaia]

15. AARP has been selling United Unhealthycare forever. They must make a MINT off it.

One of the worst health 'insurance' companies on the planet.

best of luck....

[KittyWampus]

5. File that appeal. Usually it's a formality. It happened to me once. Persistence pays off.

File that damned appeal tomorrow and stay on it it like a mountain mule should.

[jazzcat23]

6. The truth is

we are about to get back into the way it was before the ACA. where they drop you, they cap you, they fine you, they refuse you, etc. It's only been a few years ago, you all remember, right? My husband died from cancer and it cost us out entire life savings for treatment because he had private health insurance, who refused to pay for 3 surgeries and only 4 chemo treatments were covered. Dr. appts were a minimum of 4 a week, each time costing me $35.00 co pay. ( x 4= $140.00) Not to mention how much the drugs were! It was before the ACA and we would have had a much better outcome if there was some help, like the ACA. So welcome to hell...that's courtesy of the Republicons and trumpy.

[Mountain Mule]

9. I am so sorry you had to go thru that!

It sounds and I'm sure it was just awful. I remember the pre ACA days all too well, trying to get medical care with just my bare bones medicaid plan. Now they want to take away the medicaid expansion roll-out. This chills me to the bone just thinking of all the suffering that will ensue.

[iluvtennis]

10. Yep, that's where Trumpacre care is headed. Hope a few GOP senators have the gumption to vote agains

[Turn CO Blue]

11. I am starting to wonder if United Healthcare was given a headsup about the date range

that the Republicans expected to roll out and vote in the new RyanCouldn'tCareLess plan.

This past week I had to move two doctor appointments because UHC was very insistent with my cardiologist's office that I could not schedule an ECG or get a preapproval for it until after March 20. And my open enrollment period is in June - not March.

[pangaia]

16. United Unhealthycare is one of the shitstains of the insurance 'industry.'

Why do you think AARP has always pushed them?

[Turn CO Blue]

17. There is possibly an option this year to go

with Kaiser Permanente Colorado. It's not in cement. It's an HMO, but in Denver they have several dozen offices. I'm not sure that my PPO is giving me all that many options. Last time I had an HMO was over 30 years ago. Guess I'd better do some research.

But regardless, hubby and I are in our 50s, so it sounds like our rates could go up as much as 66% if this stinkfest of Ryancare passes. I'm hopeful the Senate will kill it.

[pangaia]

21. One of Ryan's problems is he is a fake christian...

I am fairly lucky, SO FAR,, medicare with two local not-for-profit insurance companies in western NY for the ADVANTAGE part, or gap or whatever it is.. an extra $66/mo includes part D.. They are HMO's actually....

But they see the handwriting on the wall....

Last year the Chemo coverage went from paying about 98% to paying only 80% ! Uh oh !!!

[Mountain Mule]

19. I wonder about that myself

It just seems like too much of a co-incidence that all this crap is starting to come down at this exact point in time. Something is up in Colorado - probably other states as well.

[DeminPennswoods]

12. ACA marketplace insurers have to have plans ready in April

Forget where I read it, but insurers timeframe for them to submit marketplace plans is April which isn't too far away.

[OnDoutside]

13. Are the healthcare costs going to rise for every one

Whether they are on ACA or not ? If so, that would be a self inflicted wound for the Republicans.

[Liberal In Texas]

18. Almost all (if not all) inusrance cos. with Rx will automatically change from brand name to generic

when it becomes available. If the generic doesn't work for you have the doc write it "dispense as written" to get back to the brand name. The brand name is more expensive of course, which is why they just auto change to generic when they can.

[Mountain Mule]

20. True - it's a common bait and switch

However, in my case the prescriptions in question were already for the generic versions. They don't even want to give me those.