The NBC News investigations unit is reporting that “50 to 75 percent of the 14 million consumers who buy their insurance individually can expect to receive a ‘cancellation’ letter or the equivalent over the next year because their existing policies don’t meet the standards mandated by the new health care law” — a fact administration officials knew but kept from the public.
The cancellations are a result of so-called grandfather rules promulgated by President Obama’s Health and Human Services. The rule exempts health insurance plans in existence before March 23, 2010 — the day the Affordable Care Act became law — from many of the new regulations, benefits standards and consumer protections that new plans now have to abide by, but says that policies could lose their designation if they make major changes.
The goal of grandfather regulations is to allow a consumer to keep their existing policies, while also ensuring that there are some basic patient protections built into these plans. If insurers make changes that significantly burden enrollees with lower benefits and increased costs they have to come into compliance with all consumer protections. Therefore, policies lose their grandfathered status if insurers cancel coverage when a person becomes ill, impose lifetime limits on benefits, eliminate all benefits for a particular condition and reduce the cap for covered services each year, among other changes. (In fact, in November of 2010, the federal government loosened some of these standards.)
So yes, individuals can keep the plans they have if those plans remain largely the same.
That includes 56-year-old Dianne Barrette. Last month, she received a letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield informing her as of January 2014, she would lose her current plan. Barrette pays $54 a month. The new plan she's being offered would run $591 a month -- 10 times more than what she currently pays.
Barrette said, "What I have right now is what I am happy with and I just want to know why I can't keep what I have. Why do I have to be forced into something else?"
According to HealthCare.gov, Barrette is eligible for some subsidies, CBS News' Jan Crawford pointed out on "CBS This Morning." But Barrette told CBS News she has no idea what those subsidies would be because she cannot log on to the website -- an issue U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is sure to be asked about when she testifies on Capitol Hill Wednesday.
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..
Was up late last night making a big ol' pot of soup. Turned out pretty damn good too!
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..
Was up late last night making a big ol' pot of soup. Turned out pretty damn good too!
What kind of soup?
Quote by BobR:
More media trolling...
ditto
billionaire entrepreneur Ken Langone told CNBC on Wednesday.
Quote by Raine:
WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS
I didn't know the part about Elmo learning about masturbation either. I bet he has a whole dance & song routine just for jerking off, and I would find that EXTREMELY entertaining.
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME THIS
I didn't know the part about Elmo learning about masturbation either. I bet he has a whole dance & song routine just for jerking off, and I would find that EXTREMELY entertaining.
Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by BobR:
More media trolling...
ditto
This is a criticism of what the media has been trolling us with.
It’s only the remainder — and it’s likely to be a small remainder — that genuinely will have no choice but to either pay more money (in some cases significantly more) or pay a fine and go without coverage.
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Just had a very depressing chat with Anne's therapist. Just about every test they've given suggests there were things going on even before the stroke. She showed no ability to do simple tasks even when instructions are given. That's going to make recovery much more difficult even if it's possible.
On the brighter side, in my hourly phone call, when I told her that I would see her at 4:30 she eventually said "so it's 10:30 now so that's what.....4...5...6 hours?" she eventually got it right. That's the first time that's happened.
My chest feels really tight......
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Just had a very depressing chat with Anne's therapist. Just about every test they've given suggests there were things going on even before the stroke. She showed no ability to do simple tasks even when instructions are given. That's going to make recovery much more difficult even if it's possible.
On the brighter side, in my hourly phone call, when I told her that I would see her at 4:30 she eventually said "so it's 10:30 now so that's what.....4...5...6 hours?" she eventually got it right. That's the first time that's happened.
My chest feels really tight......
Quote by TriSec:
*check engine* light goes on.
TriSec pulls over, obediently lifts hood.
"OK, it's still there. Now what?"
Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Just had a very depressing chat with Anne's therapist. Just about every test they've given suggests there were things going on even before the stroke. She showed no ability to do simple tasks even when instructions are given. That's going to make recovery much more difficult even if it's possible.
On the brighter side, in my hourly phone call, when I told her that I would see her at 4:30 she eventually said "so it's 10:30 now so that's what.....4...5...6 hours?" she eventually got it right. That's the first time that's happened.
My chest feels really tight......
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Usually the "check engine" light means to check the oxygen sensor - the replacement of which should be relatively cheap. All that other stuff seems suspicious. I'd get a second opinion.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Usually the "check engine" light means to check the oxygen sensor - the replacement of which should be relatively cheap. All that other stuff seems suspicious. I'd get a second opinion.
oh, no, on my car if could be any range of things beside the O2 sensor. Plus it was idling weird at first this morning. The car as 196K miles on it and the plugs and stuff are all original to the car. Always forget about the tune up thing - but I always get the oil changed
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Usually the "check engine" light means to check the oxygen sensor - the replacement of which should be relatively cheap. All that other stuff seems suspicious. I'd get a second opinion.
oh, no, on my car if could be any range of things beside the O2 sensor. Plus it was idling weird at first this morning. The car as 196K miles on it and the plugs and stuff are all original to the car. Always forget about the tune up thing - but I always get the oil changed
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Usually the "check engine" light means to check the oxygen sensor - the replacement of which should be relatively cheap. All that other stuff seems suspicious. I'd get a second opinion.
oh, no, on my car if could be any range of things beside the O2 sensor. Plus it was idling weird at first this morning. The car as 196K miles on it and the plugs and stuff are all original to the car. Always forget about the tune up thing - but I always get the oil changed
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Usually the "check engine" light means to check the oxygen sensor - the replacement of which should be relatively cheap. All that other stuff seems suspicious. I'd get a second opinion.
oh, no, on my car if could be any range of things beside the O2 sensor. Plus it was idling weird at first this morning. The car as 196K miles on it and the plugs and stuff are all original to the car. Always forget about the tune up thing - but I always get the oil changed
There is no way the timing belt or water pump caused the check engine light to come on. The pump may be leaking a little, and the belt may be old, but if you're going to be replacing the car next year, I don't see the rationale for replacing them now.
Quote by Raine:
And they REALLY quoted you 1699.99??
REALLY? not about 16500- 1700?
Quote by Raine:I agree with Bobber -- Unless you've really trust this garage, get a second opinion.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Usually the "check engine" light means to check the oxygen sensor - the replacement of which should be relatively cheap. All that other stuff seems suspicious. I'd get a second opinion.
oh, no, on my car if could be any range of things beside the O2 sensor. Plus it was idling weird at first this morning. The car as 196K miles on it and the plugs and stuff are all original to the car. Always forget about the tune up thing - but I always get the oil changed
The timing belt is something you can put off for now. (They always say a new timing belt or chain -- always) and as far as the water pump -- that's not a check engine thing -- that would have been a temp issue.
Quote by Raine:
The plugs may very well need changing -- it's getting cold --
I recall once I started my car and the entire engine was shaking -- I was a little freaked out. Turns out the plugs just needed an adjustment. They were mis installed.
Just be wary MAla -- 1700 dollars is a lot of money for that car. A LOT OF MONEY. I know you love her -- but be aware.
Ask the mechanic what is absolutely needed. keep it vbare bones and get another quote over the weekend.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:I agree with Bobber -- Unless you've really trust this garage, get a second opinion.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Usually the "check engine" light means to check the oxygen sensor - the replacement of which should be relatively cheap. All that other stuff seems suspicious. I'd get a second opinion.
oh, no, on my car if could be any range of things beside the O2 sensor. Plus it was idling weird at first this morning. The car as 196K miles on it and the plugs and stuff are all original to the car. Always forget about the tune up thing - but I always get the oil changed
The timing belt is something you can put off for now. (They always say a new timing belt or chain -- always) and as far as the water pump -- that's not a check engine thing -- that would have been a temp issue.
It is actually a good garage - they have yet to try to pull the wool over my eyes. They used to work on my Nova too (that car had issues) so they know I would know if they're trying something.
Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:I agree with Bobber -- Unless you've really trust this garage, get a second opinion.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:
So this morning sucked - car decided it was going to throw a temper tantrum and throw a flashing check engine like at me just as I was toward my usual garage. Pulled in, dropped off the car, had to get a rental car, was late to work, garage called its going to be 1699.99 to get a tune up, new plugs, wires and coil, AND a new timing belt and water pump.
Suppose I should be thank for I was right by the garage didn't break down on the way to work. I swear this is going to be the last big expense for this car - cross your fingers that 2014 is the year of a new car.
Usually the "check engine" light means to check the oxygen sensor - the replacement of which should be relatively cheap. All that other stuff seems suspicious. I'd get a second opinion.
oh, no, on my car if could be any range of things beside the O2 sensor. Plus it was idling weird at first this morning. The car as 196K miles on it and the plugs and stuff are all original to the car. Always forget about the tune up thing - but I always get the oil changed
The timing belt is something you can put off for now. (They always say a new timing belt or chain -- always) and as far as the water pump -- that's not a check engine thing -- that would have been a temp issue.
It is actually a good garage - they have yet to try to pull the wool over my eyes. They used to work on my Nova too (that car had issues) so they know I would know if they're trying something.
Given the age and mileage of the car, replacing the water pump means removing just about the same stuff as the timing belt, so many times it's done at the same time as insurance.
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Even a bad gas cap can cause a "Check Engine" light.