On Friday, 25 days after enrollment opened on the Affordable Care Act website, a staffer at North Carolina MedAssist helped her first client get far enough to compare health insurance plans and find out about eligibility for a premium subsidy.
"One down and 80,000 to go," said Lori Giang, executive director of MedAssist, a Charlotte-based free pharmacy for low-income people.
That's the estimated number of Mecklenburg County residents who will qualify for premium subsidies in the new health insurance marketplace -- if they can ever get through.
Because of malfunctions, millions of people across the country have been unable to enroll.
Until Friday, trained navigators at MedAssist and other agencies across North Carolina haven't been able to get far enough in the online process to help clients compare insurance plans or determine their eligibility for subsidies.
MedAssist has six staffers and 10 volunteers who have been trained to help consumers buy insurance through the online insurance marketplace. "I want to be able to put them to work," said Susan Royster, MedAssist's associate executive director.
Appointments for a free face-to-face meeting with a navigator are available by calling toll-free 1-855-733-3711.
Friday's successful client, who asked not to be named, is a 60-year-old Mecklenburg resident with a household income of less than $23,000 a year. That is 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
MedAssist navigator Nicole Stanfield helped the client through the process, leading to the news that the client is eligible for a monthly premium subsidy of $552, or $6,624 per year, from the federal government. The client was "overjoyed," Giang said.
The client is able to choose from 28 private insurance plans. The lowest-cost "bronze" plan would have a $12 a month premium after the subsidy. The highest-cost "platinum" plan would have a monthly premium of about $280 after the subsidy.
The client hasn't yet chosen a plan but is reviewing them to make sure the final choice will have the right network of doctors and hospitals and will cover the necessary prescription drugs.
Royster said she shared the news with other agencies in N.C. Community Care Networks, a consortium of organizations that received a federal grant earlier this year to train navigators and application assistants. None had been able to get as far as Stanfield had with Friday's client.
"They were all excited," Royster said. "It's only taken 25 days."
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18 comments:
$6600 a month subsidy? Please check your facts!
Did that been there. Wait till you actually try to get the insurance. It is impossible, but I guess eventually you will find that out too. Sorry to rain on your parade.
Wait-wait-wait...
This guy is eligible for a $6600/month subsidy leaving a $12/month premium that he will pay. That monthly premium is for the lowest-cost plan which I would translate into highest deductible plan. So, this same plan for someone making above the federal poverty level--let's go big w/ the numbers just for laughs--makes $96k/yr. Taxes and withholdings--let's pretend they don't exist--He brings home 8k/month. I'll also assume that everyone gets some type of subsidy--after all, the idea is mirrored to Oprah's famous "You get a car!" speech. Let's still say the man double the federal poverty level gets half the subsidy someone two times lower than the poverty level receives--so $3300. So in the best of circumstances, disregarding taxes and a hearty subsidy, he'll be paying $3312/mo for a high deductible health plan? Of course, I'm relying on all speculation because no numbers are available and math has never been my "thing." Please advise.
I actually got coverage online. It took alot of patients and a whole Sunday afternoon. I got to the end and was locked out. I tricked the system and applied for for dental coverage too and got all the way thru. I will canx the dental portion when first billed. The system won't let you thru unless you pick a dental policy, even though it is optional.
...that the client is eligible for a monthly premium subsidy of $6,600 from the federal government.
You can thank me for giving you the money because I don't qualify for subsidies and being forced under Socialist Obama's income redistribution plan to do it.
48% of Americans will qualify for subsidies.
Remember this number folks - 400% of poverty level.
That is the new get everything from the government you want benchmark. The 130%, 180% and 200% benchmarks for food stamps, free school lunches, etc., will eventually go all the way to 400%, which will encompass households of four all the way to $92,400/year income.
I'm with 5:05...
I checked into getting family coverage a few years back with BCBS just to see what it would cost me.
I could get a family plan with small deductibles and copays for scripts and doctor visits for $720 per month.
So if this guy is getting or qualifies for $6,600 per month and NOT $660 per month, we have a major problem on our hands.
Surely all you people who think that Fox is news realize that $6600 per month is a typo.
It's sad that you are so anxious to sew your hate for the president that you have to run with an absurd assumption.
My $10,000 deductible policy that I am happy with costs me and my wife (we are mis 50s) $324. BCBS has notified me that my plan is not grandfathered and the closest "approved" plan to it, with $11,000 deductible, will cost us $1043. Now that is health care reform.
and 7:43, if you believe the New Hypocrisy Party's mouthpiece MSNBC is spewing facts, that's not sad, it's pathetic.
See 8:17 for REAL Obamacare results...
8:17 I was on the same plan, got the same letter increasing my premium 45% and raising my deductible $1,000 to $11k, that you did. If the federal government wants to hand out subsidies then let them. You and I are now subsidizing "affordable" care. By the way, I don't need any of the 10 forms of coverage - such as maternity - mandated by ACA. This is another tax. Next year when ACA is applied to company sponsored plans the other shoe will drop and the rest of america, who has their premiums witheld from their paychecks, will find out how deeply they just got screwed.
Karen, How about telling us whether or not the $6600 is a typo!
What part of free stuff did you miss folks. A lot of folks will get free insurance coverage.
Even if it is a smaller amount that you pay, that is still free. Forget the free market in this country anymore.
We are now socialist and if you need confirmation call 1 800 Fu The letter after B and the letter after j then Y and O but you do not need the U. And if you think this is a joke just try it.
Your government at work. Do not tell us they did not know this name could be made up from these numbers. This is all the biggest overthrow of our freedom ever seen in this country.
And by the way check out these numbers on how much the government as spent on welfare over these last five years. http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/report-us-spent-37-trillion-welfare-over-last-5-years_764582.html
And when you see this chart, be sure to note these are not folks who paid in all their lives, that is paying back folks, this shows the free stuff only to those who just live off the government.
no cronyism?? looks like the queen had some influence on who "won" the contract
My wife and I were totally satisfied with the plan she had through BCBS. THE LETTER came a few weeks ago advising her that her plan was no longer available, that to continue coverage her premium would increase nearly 100%. So much for the promise that "you can keep your plan if you are satisfied with it". So much for the affordable argument. She does not qualify for any subsidies. But, as our President rightfully said, "Elections do matter". Don't get me wrong. I am happy that people who need Health Insurance can finally get access; but I give this program about 18 moths before it implodes...
Excuse me for being cynical, but even if the liberal elites massive re-distribution of wealth (Obamacare) somehow is functional; health care will continue to be expensive, the "entitled" will not purchase it, and the working people will continue to get "hosed" with increasing taxes and penalties (premiums). We have created a legion of "citizens" who have learned how to survive quite well through governmental largess. And the Social progressive culture (think main stream media, liberal politicians, "educated" class) cater to their vote and perpetuate a victim identity (someone owes me something). When the gravy boat stops getting passed around in this country, the etitlement backlash will be furious. Just ask yourself, why have the disability, welfare, and food stamo programs exploded? Sadly, its simply human nature...if you make it easy to live comfortably on governmental support and not have to work and support your family, well, many many many do just that. And, while your at it, you might as well legalize cannabis so the "ride" is pleasant. Heaven forbid someone has to tolerate distress.
My son and his wife who have one kid just got through signing up today. It's going to cost him $158 per month after a subsidy of $2800 PER YEAR. That's affordable for their yearly income of 39,000. They previously could not afford health insurance. Now they can. I've heard the horror stories. Didn't happen here.
I'm wondering if there isn't some fear mongering going on...
8:31, Why could they not afford insurance if you dont mind me asking?
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