Hellobee Boards Topic: ACA: How has this affected you?

Hellobee Boards Topic: ACA: How has this affected you? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 14:35:40 +0000 wonderstruck on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221414 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 20:17:07 +0000 wonderstruck 1221414@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The ACA is seriously a lifesaver for us. Our insurance was through my job, but I'm now a SAHM and DH works for a small business that does not offer insurance. And private insurance that includes maternity coverage is $800 A MONTH in our area. That's almost half of DH's income! So basically, we were totally screwed. The only private insurance we could afford didn't cover maternity and still had crazy high deductibles and was quite expensive. That left us with the choice of never having a second child or going on Medicaid and letting the state (aka the taxpayers) pay for it. Thanks to the ACA we will actually be able to afford insurance that covers maternity, and I am so grateful for that. MrsH on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221402 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 20:02:20 +0000 MrsH 1221402@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jacks: not all small businesses qualify. Employees also do not get subsidies if they make over the 46k limit. Mrs. Jump Rope on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221394 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 19:54:05 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1221394@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jacks: thanks!! Mrs. Jacks on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221382 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 19:43:41 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1221382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jump Rope: ah, I misunderstood! (and you, my friend, deserve an insurance break!!!) Mrs. Jump Rope on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221369 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 19:35:01 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1221369@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jacks: I know ;) Mrs. Jacks on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221361 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 19:24:51 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1221361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @MrsH: there's a subsidy for small business though @Mrs. Jump Rope: and small business owners that are not insuring employees are affected in exactly the same way as any individuals in the sense you describe. dc yoga bee on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221328 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 18:29:35 +0000 dc yoga bee 1221328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jump Rope: Oh man that STINKS. Advair was $30 a month on my husband's plan, and I complained about that. I was used to $12 prescriptions whether it was advair, albuteral, etc. Can you try to shop around for a lower priced/more coverage plan? I know it's open enrollment for us. Mrs. Jump Rope on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221313 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 17:52:20 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1221313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @dc yoga bee: I don't mind a high premium, but with that kind if price tag I expect something good to come with it. We pay a lot. A LOT. I expect an increase every year but ours is pretty outrageous.. In the last four years we've gone from no deductible and co-pay, to a plan we pay twice as much for & comes with a $1500 deductible and $6,000 co-insurance. Starting last year, prescription copays don't exist until we reach our deductible. I take Advair and it's over $300/month out of pocket. Out wallets are bleeding! dc yoga bee on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221302 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 17:44:30 +0000 dc yoga bee 1221302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jump Rope: My premium is high, but all my life I was on my parent's Tricare (military insurance), and never had a copay or heard of the word deductible. My frugal accountant husband picked out the plan when we got married, and when I went to the physical therapist I was shocked to get a bill in the mail for $300 even though I already paid the $50 copay. Yeah, a $50 copay! The insurance lady literally had to explain to me what a deductible was! Never again I said! As soon as I got my job, I looked for the most comprehensive plan, and no deductible or referrals required. Mrs. Jump Rope on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221288 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 17:31:02 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1221288@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @dc yoga bee: I wish we had that kind of plan! dc yoga bee on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221281 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 17:22:48 +0000 dc yoga bee 1221281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jump Rope: I'm on a plan with no deductible, no referrals. I only pay my biweekly premium for the works. I wanted my coverage as simple as possible to get the services I want and need. I still have $25 copay for general, $35 for specialist, maternity covered 100%, accupuncture and chiro etc. MrsH on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221256 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 16:59:34 +0000 MrsH 1221256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @jedeve: for one, if you want to offer health insurance as a small business employer the taxes have increased. Small businesses with more than 50 employees are fined if they don't offer health insurance. MrsH on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1221244 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 16:49:48 +0000 MrsH 1221244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We had a platinum plan that didn't cover pediatric dental (which we didn't need because we have a dental plan that covers pediatric dental) so we had to get a new plan. Premiums went down but out of pocket maximums went up over 6k for a plan that was close but not as good. Mae on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1220888 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 10:59:52 +0000 Mae 1220888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jump Rope: That is not true. It is based on your modified adjusted gross income. Business expenses are deducted just like they are for anything else. Mrs. Jump Rope on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1220876 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 10:50:11 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1220876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @jedeve: small business owners still need insurance, even if they aren't insuring their employees. It's based on your gross income and doesn't take into consideration your expenses or taxes. If you have rental properties, for instance, that income is included! jedeve on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1220862 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 10:38:52 +0000 jedeve 1220862@https://boards.hellobee.com/ For people saying it hurts small business owners, how? Small business owners are exempt. MsMamaBear on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1220775 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 09:17:17 +0000 MsMamaBear 1220775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I haven't been able to get on the website, but I hope it helps me. I pay $220 a month for private insurance, $3k deductible no co pay, gotta pay every doctor visit out of pocket til I hit the deductible. The ironic thing is I go to the doctor once a year, never sick, etc. So...yeah...basically I pay them in case I break an arm, leg or have a horrible accident. I also don't have maternity, not that I plan on anymore. Mae on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1220758 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 09:03:08 +0000 Mae 1220758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ If you had private insurance that already covered what the ACA requires to be covered (which, if you have a professional job is almost everyone), then ACA had no effect on you. Any insurance company that claims they are raising your premium due to ACA is full of shit. They are just using it as an excuse to do what they do every year anyways. Why not blame Obama rather than admit they are raising prices just because they can? ETA: I'm grateful for Obamacare. It doesn't really affect me right now because we are on my husband's employers plan (which is covering less and costing more next year, as it has EVERY SINGLE YEAR because thats the trend). But before being on his plan I was basically uninsurable due to a preexisting condition. I'm grateful that if he ever lost his job I'd still have access to healthcare. Same for my brother. He would be completely uninsurable if he were to lose his job before Obamacare, and now I know he'll be covered regardless of his job situation. Mrs. Jacks on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you/page/2#post-1220753 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 09:01:18 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1220753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I hope you get some say going forward :)! dagret on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220685 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 08:07:58 +0000 dagret 1220685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My in laws own a small business and even though they have been offered a cheaper group plan in the small business exchange, they are dropping coverage for their employees bc all of the employees they offered coverage for I the past have either spouses whose plan they can get on, or can go through the exchange and qualify for a tax credit. They were paying $1200/mo EACH for their insurance; their options are much better in the exchange. septca on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220681 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 08:03:50 +0000 septca 1220681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Our (Federal BCBS) plan is basically the same - some increases, but that happens every year, and a lot of savings (yay, free breast pump and LC visits!). I try not to talk about my insurance much with non-Fed employees, though, because it's kind of unfair how amazing our benefits are (I wish everyone had access to Fed plans under the ACA). But, for my patents, ACA is huge! They are both retired and have to buy their own insurance. For the past several years they have been paying absurd premiums for substandard care. I am thrilled that they are not able to buy an affordable, comprehensive plan. yoursilverlining on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220670 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 07:52:39 +0000 yoursilverlining 1220670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Our insurance isn't changing at all, except that it will go up about 5% next year, which has absolutely nothing to do with the ACA. I think some of the increases people are seeing are not related to the ACA either; my husbands portion of family coverage is $200/month (yay government job!) while his employers portion is $1500/month. If they cost-shift onto him, it isn't "the ACA's" fault. Mrs. Jump Rope on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220617 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 06:41:36 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1220617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @PurplePeony: I read that same stat on OPMs website. We looked at the site yesterday and I think it said they were proud to announce that they've steadily kept the increase at or below 4%. Mrs. Lemon-Lime on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220600 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 04:48:27 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1220600@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Jacks: I'm sure there's more to it than the $160/ mo or $1900/ year extra we will now pay. His organization has in the past paid for a large chunk of the premium, but I don't know if the EE vs ER % paid. There could be a better fitting option that he did not select because it was always cheap before. Insurance is not a family decision :sad: lemondrop on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220558 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:40:23 +0000 lemondrop 1220558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ The changes to health insurance have only benefited us so far! We have had our plan for the last 4 years- this is the first time it has not gone up significantly with each new fiscal year. At this point in my first pregnancy (halfway), we had already paid $500 in prenatal care (toxo titer, 2 ultrasounds, plus the usual bloodwork)... this time we have paid $25 (toxo titer, 3 ultrasounds, CF testing, and NT scan, trisomy bloodwork, and the usual pregnancy bloodwork). Our coverage has only improved and pretty soon I will have a brand new double electric breast pump heading my way- saves us another $319 over last time!! To me this country's insurance situation is abysmal and I am thrilled that there is finally something being done to change it and that there is a open dialogue about it. jedeve on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220549 Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:21:22 +0000 jedeve 1220549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We saved thousands staying on our parents plan till we were 26 while in grad school. DH's work is reimbursing him for COBRA right now and shopping on the exchange so I don't know what our new one will be. Our insurance went up $150 a month last year, nothing to do with the ACA. DH's employer just switched plans on us. It's like all of a sudden people forgot that premiums always increase and if you had employee sponsored insurance, you were never in control anyway! I hate, hate, hate that insurance companies are using obamacare to blame their premium raises on while simultaneously running commercials on how great the healthcare law is and everyone can get insurance. So deceitful. sunny on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220526 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 23:42:25 +0000 sunny 1220526@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My previous employer had an extremely generous health plan. All premiums were paid by them! For years and years, I paid a grand total of $0 for my healthcare. I think in part due to the ACA (they were going to be charged the excise tax because it was a "Cadillac Plan") and in part due to rising healthcare costs overall, they revamped the entire healthcare benefit at the company. I am not happy about my individual situation, but overall I think the ACA is a good thing for the country. Mrs. Jacks on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220517 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 23:28:05 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1220517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: his premium going up at work isn't related to ACA. That's at the discretion of the employer (if they are passing along more of the cost share to employees or to the insurance company). I have two good stories. We were finally able to procure insurance for our nanny. It is extremely affordable--- less than $150 bucks a month, and I looked on the exchange for my sister and the final cost for her insurance on the exchange will be less than $100 for her AND her kids!!! Our nanny said that the process went extremely smoothly for her. She clicked that she was interested in getting a phone call and the agent called her within 20 minutes and was set up within 10 minutes. She's over the moon! indi on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220501 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 23:09:55 +0000 indi 1220501@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It has benefited us, as I will be insurable again (LO won't be a pre-existing condition staring Jan 1 under the individual BCBS plan I'm enrolling in). Taking the low-mid premium, low deductible/OOP plan for next year saves us TONS over me joining DH's plan (like, 10K by the time you add in the much higher OOP cost and the difference in premiums). Thank goodness my employer is awesome and kept the group insurance they were going to cancel so that I could use my employer insurance from Aug when I turned 26 until Jan 1 comes around. googly-eyes on "ACA: How has this affected you?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-how-has-this-affected-you#post-1220479 Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:57:11 +0000 googly-eyes 1220479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @DillonLion: My dad is a small business owner and it is hurting his business as well.