…Until the individual exchange markets under Obamacare open for enrollment.
A recent article in the Charlotte Observer states:
Out of more than a dozen insurers that now sell individual policies in the state, only three have applied to offer subsidized policies through the new federally run health insurance exchange. Only one of them, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, the state’s biggest insurance company, operates in all 100 counties.
This article, along with a majority of the media, fail to mention that the distribution of federal subsidizes (tax-credits that will offset the cost of premiums for those who qualify) should be limited to state exchanges only. The federal health law clearly expresses this. Lawsuits currently argue this issue.
The following video provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield highlights four sweeping changes under Obamacare. It’s worth a watch.
While North Carolinians await the disclosure of insurance rates (the deadline is July 31) offered through the federally-established health exchange, Blue Cross and Blue Shield did state that premiums will rise. Others may not face higher premiums, due to the offset of premium assistance tax-credits. However, as mentioned above, subsidies distributed in a federally-facilitated exchange were never authorized under the text of the federal health law.
Meanwhile, Blue Cross and Blue Shield aims to transfer current individual policy holders to the individual exchange, where subsidized plans will be less costly for some consumers because someone else’s taxes will be paying for it.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans to hold more than 20 events statewide this year to educate its customers on their options. The first event, by invitation only, was held in Brier Creek on June 27 with more than 300 people in attendance. A public event is planned at the downtown Raleigh famers market July 17.
If you’re a Blue Cross and Blue Shield policy holder and believe that your premiums will be less costly on the individual exchange, think again. Subsidies come with a cost to the federal taxpayer. Also, many young “invincibles” may opt out of purchasing coverage via the individual exchange because they will be faced with much higher premiums to subsidize the healthcare costs of the older, sicker populations on the exchange. The exchange could then be left with a high-risk pool of older, sicker individuals who will be burdened with even higher premiums than before.
