Just got my increase in health insurance premium - Lord

[leftyladyfrommo]

My premium went from $476 to $618 a month. I am 62. I am not overweight. I don't drink, smoke or do drugs. I have no pre-existing conditions. I take no prescription drugs.

I am just about to become a radical like I was in college. I just wish I knew where to go to protest. I wrote to MacCaskill but just got a rote message back.

Everyone is aware of the problem. They are trying to work on it. Blah, blah, blah. And in the meantime? Does anyone even give a damn about the millions of older Americans that have simply been hung out to dry? Or simply left to die without health coverage or care?

I have tried to get cheaper coverage but I just get denied because of my age.

And this morning the paper had a big article on how the CEO's of these insurance companies are all making huge amounts.

Where the hell is there a democratic politician that has the balls to give a voice to all the older Americans that need help? There has to be someone.

[Ricochet21]

1. it's all about the money

follow the money

best of luck to you!

[democracy1st]

2. sorry to hear about that, is your deductible anywhere close to being affordable ?

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. Deductible is $1500

I really have no health insurance. It costs so much for my monthly premium I can't afford anything else. So I just try to stay as healthy as possible.

[democracy1st]

6. such a sad situation, maybe you should adjust that 1500 to 2500 ?

[leftyladyfrommo]

7. I was thinking maybe $5,000

It really doesn't matter.

[democracy1st]

8. 2500 is affordable if you actually need it, it would definitely lower that premium

[leftyladyfrommo]

9. I will call and ask? Thanks.

[democracy1st]

21. Few ideas that can save you more money

phone service
http://www.magicjack.com/6/index.asp

for movies less than 10 bucks a month
http://movies.netflix.com/WiHome

[glinda]

22. That is what we had to do for me to keep Health Insurance.

[democracy1st]

26. how has that worked out for you,seems like a tall mountain to climb if you need to use it..

[glinda]

30. I pray I do not get sick.

[rucky]

3. Yeah, Congress set a ceiling in the new plan.

But they forgot to tell us where the floor starts.

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. I get so tired of worrying about stuff.

Like how on earth am I going to survive my old age?

I really don't know if my best solution would be to just move to another country - somewhere with health care.

[lady lib]

14. May I ask what insurance company you use?

We were facing a large rate increase with BC/BS of AZ, but were able to get a much lower rate by switching to another (very similar) plan from within the same company. It was an easy switch and other than a slightly higher deductible, the plans are almost identical.

I'm assuming you've already checked on this, but I thought it worth mentioning in case you haven't had a chance yet.

[leftyladyfrommo]

16. I treid to do that but got denied.

I don't even know why any more. Last time it was because I quit taking high blood pressure medicine two years ago when my blood pressure went back to normal. They said it was because I didn't follow docotr's protocol. I would have been happy to check back in with my doctor but it costs $100 to just walk in the door.

[RC]

19. Ahh..., who survives old age? Nobody I know of.

"Like how on earth am I going to survive my old age?"

[Dr.Phool]

10. "Where is the Democratic politician that has the balls....."

I'm sorry, but I think you're looking for an extinct species.

[leftyladyfrommo]

13. I certainly hope not. n/t

[peace13]

11. Yup!

We just got out new premium notice for 2011. Three people in the business, ages 53-60...total premium is $2,930 a month! Up 25% from 2010!

[1VaDem]

12. I hear you but...

Too many older Americans who "have it made" are joining the TEA Protest and the "anti-government interference" snow jobs of the right wing and too few are standing up AS Democrats. You cannot expect Politicians (who live and die by donations and sponsors) to stand up for us when we too often do not stand up for ourselves. Every time I see a Medicare age person trumpeting the right wing party lines I get sick and angry.

[Lochloosa]

15. Welcome to DU 1VaDem

:toast:

[1VaDem]

28. Yep, I'm new here.

Thanks for the welcome. I am tired of blogging with the extremists on the right wing "open" sites. I think we give them cover, validation and integrity just by arguing with them like they have a freaking point. No more.

[leftyladyfrommo]

17. It's hard. I live in the Bible Belt.

People here are just plain born conservative.

These people need someone to start the revolution.

[reformist2]

18. Maybe the time has come to opt out? Just an idea, not a recommendation.

That would be $7,400 a year you could be saving. for a rainy day...

[leftyladyfrommo]

20. Believe me, I've thought about that.

But having no insurance is no option. Anymore they just let people die.

[peace13]

23. Not good advice if you have any assets at all.

Medical bankruptcy is responsible for 50% of bankruptcy. And as noted, they are beginning to let folks die if they don't have insurance or government coverage.

[HopeHoops]

24. Mine only went up about 25% but I'm going to get royally fucked on prescriptions.

[ddeclue]

25. Paging Alan Grayson..

[Festivito]

27. 30%. Ours went up 35%, so we shop. But, but, 2 years ago BCBS jumped.

Now BCBS is in line with our current would-be raised policy.

So, we shop. Giving the insurance companies a chance to get another mistake on a form we'll sign that they can then bring up in order to deny me coverage someday.

America is a mess.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

29. Ready to impeach Obama yet? n/t

n/t

[Cleita]

31. Highway robbery!

The same thing happened to me when I turned 62. I figured out that with the additional deductible and co-pays per year, I was better off paying for my medical out of pocket until I could get Medicare. I kept my fingers crossed that I didn't get a disease I couldn't handle out of pocket. I got Medicare in the nick of time when some chronic medical conditions came home to roost and some old age ailments kicked in. I'm not telling you to take the same gamble that I did, but I just couldn't pay anymore for what amounted to less coverage for the next three years. I'm so disappointed that our government doesn't have the decency to extend Medicare to all who want to buy into it as an alternative option until they turn 65 and qualify for it.

[spin]

32. Remember that before we had reform we already had the most expensive healthcare in the world ...

Now it will be even more expensive.

The United States of the Big Corporations, for the Big Corporations and by the Big Corporations. We should just allow the Corporations to take over state names. New York Sate could be GE. California could be IBM. Florida could be Disney Corp.

[Liberal_in_LA]

33. K&R

[maryf]

34. Medicare for all.

period. HR 676 is still in the house...(sorry for the increase, that stinks)

[TNLib]

35. My parents had a similar problem

My dad's business went under and he had to start paying for health insurance private plan. He was ready to retire and take it easy. But they couldn't afford it. So he's back to working at his former company. He's making excellent money. But that job could have gone to a younger person just starting out in life or someone unemployed and he could have retired. If Obama had just extended medicare to people 55 instead of what we have now it would have been a boon for so many people.

People would retire a little earlier and unemployment would be very low right now. He completely missed the boat.