Obamacare Rates

Obamacare Rate Filings
As of Sept 03 the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) has completed its initial analysis or rate filings in the individual market. Friends as expected, doesn't look good, see the table below.

Percent Increase From Pre to Post 2014, Average Per Area
Age	Milwaukee	Eau Claire	Green Bay	Madison	Appleton	Wausau	Kenosha	LaCrosse
21	78.11	68.75	53.73	124.85	54.18	77.44	37.59	88.53
40	40.85	48.35	53.73	73.43	36.75	35.03	15.15	41.58
63	45.48	58.12	22.54	70.04	32.01	26.07	9.72	37.29

This is just a sample of the Obamacare rates, and many things could change for the better or the worse. You must keep in mind that not all will pay the higher prices due to the subsidies, and some may even pay less then they are now. The OCI is stressing that the best way to determine the prices is to wait till Oct 1 and review the exchange plans. As of today we are still at the corners of wait and see, and I have as many questions as you do. Some unknown things about the Obamacare rates are, how will this shake out after a year when all the tax subsidies are handed out, and how the prices will be maintained. In order for this to work properly we need the younger generation to buy policies, or the rules of inverse selection go out the window. Th Health Insurance Wisconsin

e problem with that process is the younger generation is they know the are indestructible and have better things to spend their money on. I know this because I was once one of them. The way things work out could be very different but I just don't see where the "affordable" is in the Affordable Care Act. The federal government is laying low and really no comments have been made from that side of the fence. I am all for getting the improvements in coverage, and making sure that all persons can get coverage, but lets not kid ourselves. Putting all that together costs money and no matter how many people think they should, health insurance providers are not going to provide that service for free.

In order to truly change healthcare we need to change the way it is used, and the mindset of the uninsured. When you don't have health insurance and someone else is paying the bill, you don't pay attention to what you spend. I know several low income families that when something is wrong, the go to the ER. This could be because service is rendered without question or the just don't understand what the costs are. We need to educate those who know no other way, and we need to ensure that they have access to doctors and nurses for the simple procedures. If the provider networks were opened up so that you could shop for your medical treatment like you do all other services, and force the medical industry to compete for your dollars, the market system would shine through. Every industry has to put together a quality package at an affordable price to stay in business, this is not the case in health care.

Health Insurance Northern Wisconsin

The geese are flying and the packers are playing, that means summer is being ushered out and my favorite season, fall, is just about here. I was just up in our great north woods and while the leaves are just starting to turn, we had frost on the ground 3 out of 7 mornings. The colors, the activities, and the lack of humidity just make me smile. I have lived in other parts of the country, while I was in the Navy and I just missed the change of the seasons something terrible. Up around Ingram Wisconsin, where my cabin is every store has freshly picked Wisconsin apples, and fresh honey, I bought plenty of both. The northern businesses live and die by the tourist, so take a ride, see the scenery and spend a little cash up in beautiful Northern Wisconsin.

Obamacare Rates

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