Even among liberal pundits, Obamacare illiteracy is still a problem.
Are you Obamacare illiterate?
Take this quick quiz and find out!
TRUE or FALSE?
You must sign up for an Obamacare plan by March 31 2014.
False. Obamacare isn’t a plan, and you can’t qualify or sign up for it.
Obamacare / the ACA is a set of regulations on the prices, practices and profits of - private health insurance companies. It is the expansion and reform of Medicaid and Medicare. And it provides for a competitive health insurance market called the exchange. And it has other provisions.
The mandate under the ACA requires that you - have or buy health insurance.
A Google search of the phrase "sign up for Obamacare" has over 7 Million results.
There's a lot of misunderstanding about this, and the rebranding of the ACA as - "Obamacare" has tricked people into thinking Obamacare is a plan being forced on them, and that the problems with insurance companies is the fault of 'Obamacare.'
TRUE or FALSE?
Obamacare rolled out last fall, and had some major problems.
False. The ACA has been rolling out its provisions since the summer of 2010.
The software problems were on the internet –part- of the federal –part- of the exchanges –part- of the ACA.
The phone exchanges worked well, and some states had their own exchanges.
These exchanges create a competitive market place for new standardized - private health insurance plans (Bronze, silver, gold, platinum) to sell to new customers.
Most people affected by the ACA do not need to use exchanges.
TRUE or FALSE?
Some Obamacare plans don’t let you go to the doctor of your choice.
False. You are free to see any doctor you like, and there are no Obamacare plans.
Doctors are free to participate ("par" or "in network") in a plan or not ( "non-par" or "out-of-network". )
Patients who see a non-par doctor can get reimbursement directly from their insurance company, or credit their deductible.
The payments may or may not be 100% of the visit, and the patient may need to provide proof of payment to the insurance company for the non-par doctor.
TRUE or FALSE?
“Under Obamacare my plan is more expensive, not less.”
False. Most people are paying less than their previous plans did, or would have charged.
The ACA requires: Limits on insurance plan profits, and it requires expanded coverage and no limits on benefits.
And, it’s not your old plan. So what the heck are you comparing it to?
Under the ACA plans require more coverage, but the ACA limits insurance plan profits. It’s a better deal.
While limiting company profits, it does expand the insurance company's customer base.
TRUE or FALSE?
Obamacare cancelled my plan and I lost my insurance.
False. Insurance companies canceled your plan.
The ACA NEVER requires anyone to quit a plan or to get dropped from a plan.
If you had a catastrophic medical plan, and your insurance company canceled your plan, you can file for an extension, or sign up for a comprehensive plan that covers almost everything affordably.
TRUE or FALSE?
My deductible is so high I won’t be able to see my doctor.
False. Most testing, screening and preventive care is covered. You’ll be able to see doctors at no cost, for these services.
TRUE or FALSE?
I hate Obamacare it stinks!
True ! If you mean the system we have, then Yes! True!
The system of payments we have, and the private insurance company plans are terrible, because they are basically the same ones we have had.
We still pay twice as much as we should!
The ACA didn’t abolish the entire for-profit-system, it identified the worst and most egregious problems with it, and it Eliminated:
-Limits on annual and lifetime coverage
-Unlimited profits for insurance companies
-Marketing just to the healthiest portion of the population
-Canceling polities of sick members
-Denying coverage for pre-existing conditions
-Exceptions and Limits on covered medical conditions, and not covering mental health service (This made it hard to do an apples to apples comparison of plans.)
-Charging for prevention, screening and testing…
To name a few…
