Deductibles, other health plan costs may surprise consumers

Dec 10 2013

News outlets report that, as more details become available, some people may find that their health insurance in 2014 will cost more than they hoped.

The Wall Street Journal: High Deductibles Fuel New Worries Of Health-Law Sticker Shock
As enrollment picks up on the HealthCare.gov website, many people with modest incomes are encountering a troubling element of the federal health law: deductibles so steep they may not be able to afford the portion of medical expenses that insurance doesn't cover. The average individual deductible for what is called a bronze plan on the exchange-;the lowest-priced coverage-;is $5,081 a year, according to a new report on insurance offerings in 34 of the 36 states that rely on the federally run online marketplace (Scism and Martin, 12/8).

The New York Times: On Health Exchanges, Premiums May Be Low, But Other Costs Can Be High
Until now, it was almost impossible for people using the federal health care website to see the deductible amounts, which consumers pay before coverage kicks in. But federal officials finally relented last week and added a "window shopping" feature that displays data on deductibles. For policies offered in the federal exchange, as in many states, the annual deductible often tops $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for a couple (Pear, 12/9).

The Associated Press: Personal Stories Used As Spin Over New Health Law
When Jennifer Slafter first ran the numbers, she thought the new federal health care law would cost her family an extra $171 a month for an insurance plan with a higher deductible. So the 40-year-old stay-home mom from southeastern Minnesota felt compelled to go public with her frustration. … When it comes to the health law, spin is in. ... Democrats are rooting for its success and Republicans are craving to see it undone. Both sides have latched on to personal stories, with critics trumpeting experiences like Slafter's while its backers brandish more positive angles (Condon, 12/8).

The Philadelphia Inquirer: Frustrated By The ACA's 'Family Glitch'
Susan Rubinstein's optimism dissolved into tears when she learned the Affordable Care Act marketplace wouldn't help her…She is stuck in what is called the family glitch. Because she is offered insurance through her husband's company, despite the high cost, she is ineligible for discounts on the marketplace (Tyrrell, 12/8).