Brian Rosen, senior vice president for public policy for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, said the group studied premiums and benefits for patients with blood cancer in seven states, including Florida, California, Texas and New York. They found 50 percent co-insurance rates for specialty drugs on several plans in Florida and Texas, while the highest co-insurance rates on California plans were 30 percent and in New York, co-pays were typically $70.
Under the law, insurers can’t charge an individual more than $6,350 in out-of pocket costs a year and no more than $12,700 for a family policy. But patients advocates warn those with serious illnesses could pay their entire out-of-pocket cap before their insurance kicks in any money. (AP)
Advocates are prone to believe they can engineer the behavior of insurers in desirable ways through regulation. This illustrates that economics still applies. If there is an incentive to avoid certain people, the actuaries will find a way to inhibit them.
It’s what happens when congressmen react to what they people want, regardless of the economic implications
“But patients advocates warn those with serious illnesses could pay their entire out-of-pocket cap before their insurance kicks in any money.” Plans covering serious diseases are usually very costly. However, once a person has been diagnosed with a serious disease, he or she probably cannot be covered any more.
That would be absolutely horrible
“I was grateful for the Affordable Care Act because it didn’t turn me down but … it’s like where’s the affordable on this one,” – I think that’s how everyone is feeling right now.
So true. People having health insurance is great. Not being able to afford it isn’t.
That happens in all fields.
Who exactly did they intend it to be affordable for?
My dad has this same problem with his medications. He switched to generics for several of them, but still pays hundreds of dollars a month for what he needs.
Exactly as predicted. And why community rating and guaranteed issue must go.
There are far more effective ways to relieve the cost of severe chronic illnesses if that is what the government chooses to do.
“This was an extremely expensive misunderstanding,”
Said everyone of the entire Affordable Care Act
Everyone has suffered
Being chronically ill isn’t bad enough. We have to make them poor and unable to afford care as well. Way to go, government regualation.
*regulation. Whoops.
That’s what happens when you take a way people’s choice. Overregulation is never the answer.