Cuyo
Training a Guineapig army
THIS GUY ^^^ Right here, as of May 1, will have health coverage for the first time in nearly a decade. Myself, along with 2 full time employees, have enrolled in Geisinger HMO.
Mom's gonna be so happy.
Two things have shocked me about this transaction-
1. Incredibly cheap; Much cheaper than expected. Geisinger obviously offered the best plans but even the Aetna/Amerihealth/Blue Cross proposals were much, much lower than what I was poised for. Granted, we're young (28, 26, and 25) and in good health; Although myself and one other smoke cigarettes. The plan is $500 in network, $1000 out of network deductable, 100% insurance beyond deductible, $20 prescription, $20 office visits, $40 specialist. HELLUVA lot better than what Katie gets through her massive employer. Anyone care to venture a guess what it's going to cost?
2. Incredibly silly regulations. I don't know if this is Geisinger policy or law, but I _MUST_ offer health insurance to all full time employees or none, and each employee _MUST_ pay an equal amount, regardless of whose health is running up the premium, and I _MUST_ contribute the same percentage as the employer for each employee, unless I 'Classify' - Which would be a tough bill to sell with a company of 5 people.
This seems to be not only counter-productive (forcing avoidance of older/less healthy people for fear of skyrocketing everyone's premiums), but ultimately pointless. There's nothing about salary in the regs, so I can adjust salaries accordingly - Why force the dog and pony show?
This should not under any circumstances be interpreted as diverging from my single payer advocacy, but I must say I and the other two were extraordinarily pleased with the low cost, and displeased (more me than them) with the regulations.
Thoughts?
Mom's gonna be so happy.
Two things have shocked me about this transaction-
1. Incredibly cheap; Much cheaper than expected. Geisinger obviously offered the best plans but even the Aetna/Amerihealth/Blue Cross proposals were much, much lower than what I was poised for. Granted, we're young (28, 26, and 25) and in good health; Although myself and one other smoke cigarettes. The plan is $500 in network, $1000 out of network deductable, 100% insurance beyond deductible, $20 prescription, $20 office visits, $40 specialist. HELLUVA lot better than what Katie gets through her massive employer. Anyone care to venture a guess what it's going to cost?
2. Incredibly silly regulations. I don't know if this is Geisinger policy or law, but I _MUST_ offer health insurance to all full time employees or none, and each employee _MUST_ pay an equal amount, regardless of whose health is running up the premium, and I _MUST_ contribute the same percentage as the employer for each employee, unless I 'Classify' - Which would be a tough bill to sell with a company of 5 people.
This seems to be not only counter-productive (forcing avoidance of older/less healthy people for fear of skyrocketing everyone's premiums), but ultimately pointless. There's nothing about salary in the regs, so I can adjust salaries accordingly - Why force the dog and pony show?
This should not under any circumstances be interpreted as diverging from my single payer advocacy, but I must say I and the other two were extraordinarily pleased with the low cost, and displeased (more me than them) with the regulations.
Thoughts?
