How the Health Insurance Exchange Really Works

[bojestss]

The health exchange will have salaried, non licensed call center workers to help you make important decisions about what plans you want. The salaries of these workers were not calculated into the cost of the reform bill as it was assumed that insurance brokers would fill this position. Unfortunately, licensed brokers cant work in the exchange (cant accept a fee from clients or the carriers) so this was an "unintended consequence" built into "vote for this, you will like it.

[Goohuman]

That is one of the few parts of that massive bill that might well have worked out well for us. But it is countered by the massive amounts of BAD stuff in the SAME BILL.

[TheStranglehold]

I love these polished, professionally produced videos and commercials. It lets you know who REALLY has the big money in this fight.

Interesting though, no citations directly from the legislation.

[poopile]

@TheStranglehold,

Welcome to computers and the internet. This video, nowadays, can be easily produced with just a hundred dollar software suite (or free if you're willing to look hard enough for programs) and $50-$200 in hardware. Labor and creativity is really the limiting factor in our wonderfully futuristic world of 2000.

[TheStranglehold]

Thanks, these typewriters with TV screens are pretty nifty. This way, I can see cool Center for American Progress videos like this one. It's nice to see what Wal-Mart and George Soros get for their money.

[bweazel]

They're going to low ball the private insurance market, pull people out of the private market and into government health care. They have the doctors on board now. Probably bought them out somewhere in the bill. I wonder if any of them have any foresight. Who do these doctors think the gov will come after when they put the private insurance companies out of business. Hmm?

[9RidgeProductions]

The Exchange is made up of private insurance companies. You are confusing the issues. An additional option of an independent, nonprofit, government plan is included in the House bill as an alternative to private insurance companies, similar to having state Colleges and private colleges.

[bweazel]

Exactly what issue am I confusing in your opinion? Which private insurance companies would those be? Can you cite the section of the bill that says what the exchange will be made up of? Seems strange that the insurance companies would be against a bill that mandates people to buy their service. In my opinion, this is just the foot in the door. So are you trying to tell me the insurance companies are mandated into this insurance exchange also?

[9RidgeProductions]

Yes, all policies must be offered through the exchange. Current policies are grandfathered in. The Health Insurance companies love the mandate on coverage but are fighting against the public option which will provide competition

[9RidgeProductions]

HR 3962, title III, subtitle A

Of course a lot can change once the Senate passes a bill and the two bills are merged. Under the current House bill, only people withour access to insurance would be eligible for the public option so it really doesn't pose a threat to Wellpoint, Cigna, etc.

[bweazel]

This QHBP entity/entities is very losely defined. No where in subtitle A does it define or even mention "private health insurance companies". What it does do though, is mention "QHBP offering entities" about 100 times. There are a couple of times I've seen in the bill that mention "a nonfederal QHBP offering entity". Which leads me to believe the public option is going to be a lot bigger deal than you're making it out to be. Why would a private company want to join this exchange?

[9RidgeProductions]

QHBP is an acronym for Quality Health Benefit Provider. It means a health insurance company. Premiums would be set by market forces. The public option would be run independently on policy holder premiums. It would not receive subsidies.

[bweazel]

I know what it means, thank you. It actually stands for qualified health benefit plan, not what you put. It means a health plan that congress will regulate and determine what is necessary for people to even be able to join this health insurance exchange. So really, there's a good chance the private insurance companies won't even be able to join this exchange. I'd look more into the health insurance coop's. There is no way something like that cannot be dangerous to private industry.

[bweazel]

Ok, sir. It's obvious you have not read, in detail, the subtitle of the bill you cited. It clearly says in there that this health insurance head will negotiate premiums with the QHBP offering entities, and will not allow them to increase the premiums, ever. Along with many other stipulations making it all but impossible for anything but a not-for-profit to make it in this health insurance exchange. Strange, you say it's not going to be subsidized. What is the public option trust for then?

[bweazel]

If we wanted to force the entire country into medicare, how would we do it...?Hmmmmm. Well, this is a great first step. Kill the private insurance companies. They are very against this bill, regardless of what you say.

You know what would actually fix this? A law, that forces insurance companies to offer the same premiums to individuals as it does to groups. Their current business practice is nothing more than discrimination and could easily be remedied with laws currently on our books.

[bweazel]

Especially if they have to abide by what this health commissioner says an affordable premium is. In my opinion, private companies will not jump on this band wagon. They would be forced to provide aide to people with preexisting conditions, they will be forced to ask for low premiums and low deductibles, they will be forced to never raise premiums. Why do you think any private company would sign up for an immediate and future loss in profit? They won't. This is the beginning of the public option.

[bweazel]

And what are these health insurance cooperatives they are talking about? Government run, not-for-profit entities, that will accept loans straight from the U.S. Treasury and will sell insurance on the health insurance exchange. How do you expect private companies to compete with that? Why would you expect them to try? A mandated customer, although new, is not worth the price of competition a private company would face to gain that customer. This IS an attack on the private insurance companies.

[bweazel]

Well regulated? HA! What year are you living in man? There's no such thing as regulation anymore. They will screw this up just like they did housing, credit default swaps, derivatives, carbon offsets, so on so on. Do we really think having a "market" for every little thing on this planet is a good thing? Or does it just seem like a control thing, so people with the most money can make more money? I'd go with the latter.

[Fringe111]

But this has been explained over and over, No one wants to hear it, Obama needs to get on TV from the oval office and spell this out.

[Smartassawhip]

I agree... The Exchange needs to be explained in a much bigger arena.

[Fringe111]

Wed. Night next week

[wildpeachatl737]

With all the nonsense and misinformation floating about of late, it's refreshing to see actual ideas and solutions being brought forth, Great video and I'll have to credit this to the Smartassawhip bump!

[librophile]

The Right-Wingers are trying every lies under the sun to derail HEALTH CARE REFORM & PUBLIC OPTION.

Death Panels for grandma & US Vets—Rationing--Socialism/Maxi­sm/Hitlerism (They haven't made up their mind on these 3 yet)--Government Take-over--Tyanny !!

What's next? To cut cost, Old People will have hip replacement without anesthesia? OUCH !!

Our Founding Fathers are turning in their graves seeing what Republicans are doing to prevent us from GUARANTEED & AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE.

[Fringe111]

But this has been explained over and over, No one wants to hear it

[Smartassawhip]

The reason why they do not want to hear about this is because there really is no argument they can pose in which to object. This is probably one of the biggest parts of the bill that will in fact benefit nearly all Americans.. and it is one of the few things that the Republicans and Dems agree on so far. That being said it is also important that the Public Option be included in the exchange to cover the uninsured and drive costs down for everyone.

[Snowflake70]

as long as it shows up "in writting" a 5th Grader (that seems to be the dividing line according to television) can read AND understand WITH NO FINE PRINT !

Then, I'll be one thrid the way to believing it. The remainder of the way will come after a year of trial and error implementation and finally, some sort of security 9/10 of the world population won't be decreased by Agenda 21

[Smartassawhip]

I am definitely sharing this one with others. Thanks!

Anyone who would like more info about the public option plan should visit my profile. In the comment section you will find a link to the ez to read version of the bill sent out by congress and so much more.

[hollywoodartchick]

Yeah, nothing short of Single-payer will keep these sharks from taking back their power. A public option is a step in the right direction, though.

[librophile]

Smartassawhip ...You're a sweetheart as always. Thanks.

[OhioDemocrat]

How could anyone be against this? I see no down side to the American consumer.

[hollywoodartchick]

I can tell you how I don't believe it. In CA we have ballot initiatives. We see first-hand in every election how the insurance companies chip away at laws the don't favor them. It may start out as a wonderland of benefits (only for the few who still have jobs, of course), but over a few election cycles, they will whittle away at what cuts into their profits and we will be back to square one fast.

[librophile]

hollywoodartchick..."they will whittle away at what cuts into their profits and we will be back to square one fast"...

Then it's up to WE THE PEOPLE to never vote & elect Republicans who always side with Big Insurances.

[bblake1234]

@OhioDemocrat I would rather have universal healthcare. I think I would pay less in taxes with universal haelthcare than I would pay in the exchanges. Put the entire country in the same pool. Talk about making it affordable. This country is turning to shit. I want to move to another country because of the healthcare coverage in this country. This is a comprimise for the insurance companies so they can maintain their lined pockets. It is all Bullshit! I bet it will still be too expensive for me!

[OhioDemocrat]

@bblake1234 Yes, I agree with you single payer, universal haelthcare or Medicare for all would be the best thing to happen to healthcare. Healthcare costs has destroyed too many families.

[bblake1234]

@OhioDemocrat I dont have insurance right now but my job offers it. It will cost me nearly 800 a month for a family package and I'm a nurse. I was living within my means but now that the insurance rates are going up, gas,taxes, and the escrow on my mortgage went up 23 more dollars, I don't think I'm going to be able to keep my home. I also make too much money for federal assistance like food stamps, or medicaid. What the fuck am I going to do!!! The middle class is screwed politicians don't care