See it here first: the political ad that will dominate 2014

[y4m]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYyMMs-WO4U

Find: Shaheen; Replace: Anyone with footage praising Obamacare, votes for Obamacare, etc.



www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/12/17/the-ad-every-democrat-should-be-scared-of-in-2014/

[Velar Fricative]

I am worried about this and can only hope that by November, things aren't still so screwed up. If they can fix all the damn issues within the next few months, the collective memory of Americans sucks so they'll likely forget about this mess. But that is such a big if.

I need this explained like I'm 5 though - why does NH only have one option through the exchange? If other states have multiple options, is there a reason they are shying away from NH?

[y4m]

Here's an article that talks a little about NH:

In the new health insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act, 95 percent of Americans will have at least two insurance companies from which to compare and select plans, according to a Health and Human Services Department analysis.

But that also means 5 percent of Americans—including all residents of New Hampshire and West Virginia—will not have a choice.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the only insurance company participating in New Hampshire's exchange. "The legacy of our company has been to participate aggressively in the state," said Anthem spokesman Chris Dugan.

Anthem covers approximately 80 percent of residents purchasing plans on the state's existing individual market, said Tyler Brannen, a health policy analyst at the New Hampshire Insurance Department. Because of New Hampshire's small population, the financial returns of another insurance company offering competing policies in the state would not be as great as in an urban market.

"Any other carrier would have to weigh the risk," Brannen said.

Anthem is offering 11 plans on the exchange, with monthly premium contributions ranging from $177 to $1,784 before tax subsidies. One big change Anthem is making to its coverage is the number of doctors and hospitals included in its insurance network.

"By partnering with certain providers, we are providing a product that is 25 percent lower than it would be by using a broader network," Dugan said.

There is a downside, though. The shift eliminates 10 of the 26 major hospitals in New Hampshire from the Anthem network for people who currently purchase Anthem insurance on the individual market and will shift to Anthem's ACA exchange market next year, Brannen said.

Dugan was not sure if Anthem would continue to offer plans in the individual market, in addition to its exchange market options. Regardless of what Anthem does, Brannen said, he expects the individual market will phase out.

"To the extent that people may qualify for a subsidy," Brannen said, "I can't think of any reason to purchase products from Anthem outside of the exchange."

Consumers are frustrated and see the changes as a loss, Brannen said, especially because they don't have an alternative to Anthem.

But the use of narrow networks to drive down the cost of health insurance isn't just a function of the Anthem monopoly—it's a nationwide trend. A recent study from the Health Research Institute at PricewaterhouseCoopers found that 69 percent of insurers reported narrow-network contracts.

Next year, some people could have to drive as far as 45 minutes to see an in-network doctor, Brannen said. But that doesn't violate the state's adequacy standards that regulate provider distance in insurance plans, he added.

Raising those standards could be the next task for policymakers, he suggested, as voters enter the exchange and come to terms with the realities of their new coverage.

www.nationaljournal.com/daily/obamacare-insurance-choices-shrink-for-individual-buyers-in-new-hampshire-20131031

[lys]

You can fix the computer glitches, but you won't see any fixes in the actual ACA bill other than those that Obama does by executive order.
I doubt people are going to forget.  Mess with your insurance and you are getting mighty personal.  Who is going to forget spending hours trying to sign up (friend tried to sign up her 2 kids and the calculations were putting them on Medicaid - they are definitely NOT medicaid eligible with a 6 figure salary.  Talking (well texting) with a real person who was denying that the system would make such an error  and hung up on her - leaving her with more hours ahead in trying to get her kids insured.
 Paying more for your insurance, paying a higher deductible and co-pay, not being able to stay with your same doctor or hosipital  will be right in your face if you actually use your heath insurance.
No, people will not forget.

Next will be the employer provided health insurance and the ACA fall out with that group of people.

Votes have consequences - and it was 100% Democrats who voted for this poorly written bill. 

[ringstrue]

What's left wrong with the website still?

It's going to take a bit for Obamacare to gain steam. I dunno if you can really get a good picture of this first year's implementation until January at the earliest- probably not til a few more months in. They will make changes and improvements. Seems like most criticisms are things that could be added on or changed in time.

[Velar Fricative]

I guess I'm just not sure why NH and WV are any different than states that have smaller populations than they do but more choices in the exchange. I will try to find more info tomorrow.

[y4m]

I think at least New Hampshire is small and highly regulated. It was dominated by a single carrier before too, although not to this extent.

[LoveTrains]

Dec 18, 2013 21:30:57 GMT -5 y4m said:

I think at least New Hampshire is small and highly regulated. It was dominated by a single carrier before too, although not to this extent.

It's interesting because I have a plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (even though I live in RI). But my plan allows me to see providers in ALL new england states.

My plan is actually a group plan that is offered through the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, so schools in NH buy it, too. 

I wonder if that is part of the issue, too? Like do many NH residents buy insurance through blue cross of Mass with the same plan that I have that allows people to see docs in other states?'

I also know a lot of people that live in NH that prefer to see specialists in Boston for major issues. 

Frankly if I had a major health issue I would go to Boston, especially after the clusterfuck that was my last major health issue and the shitty reputation of the hospitals in my city. 

[sushi]

Huh.

My fil is in Oregon and desperately needed insurance. He now has it. So this makes me think it's a state vs fed thing in which case quit blaming Obama.

[Velar Fricative]

I did find this article, which is all over the place but quasi-answers my questions.

www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/20/little-competition-insurers-some-states-obamacare-plans/2986795/

It looks like a rural-urban divide with state regulations thrown in there, as mentioned here.