The Affordable Care Act - the real costs come to light
The true costs of the Affordable Care Act are coming to light.
Here are the numbers for California -- from
CNN Money:
Obamacare: Is a $2,000 deductible 'affordable?'
States are starting to roll out details about the exchanges, providing a look at just how affordable coverage under the Affordable Care Act will be. Some potential participants may be surprised at the figures: $2,000 deductibles, $45 primary care visit co-pays, and $250 emergency room tabs.
Those are just some of the charges enrollees will incur in a silver-level plan in California, which recently unveiled an overview of the benefits and charges associated with its exchange. That's on top of the $321 average monthly premium.
For some, this will be great news since it will allow them to see the doctor without breaking the bank. But others may not want to shell out a few thousand bucks in addition to a monthly premium.
"The hardest question is will it be a good deal and will consumers be able to afford it," said Marian Mulkey, director of the health reform initiative at the California Healthcare Foundation. "The jury is still out. It depends on their circumstances."
Those numbers are just about what it costs for health insurance in the private sector. I am paying about $500/month in premiums (I'm 62 so that makes things a little bit pricey), have a $1K deductible, office visits are $20, generic medicine co-pay is $15 and max out of pocket is $5K. I pay more per month but all of the associated costs of treatment are substantially lower.
If this is what the free marketplace can do, why is Obamacare so much more expensive?
Big government meddling?
Yup!
Posted by DaveH at June 13, 2013 3:10 PM