Like an estimated 22 million other Americans, I am a self-employed small-business owner who buys health insurance for my family directly on the individual market. We have a high-deductible PPO plan that allows us to choose from a wide range of doctors.
Or rather, we had such a plan.
Last week, our family received notice from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Colorado that we can no longer keep the plan we like because of changes from health care reform (also called the Affordable Care Act or ACA). The letter informed us that to meet the requirements of the new laws, your current plan can no longer be continued beyond your 2014 renewal date.
In short: Obama lied. My health plan died.
Remember? Our president looked America straight in the eye and promised: If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor. Period. If you like your health-care plan, you will be able to keep your health-care plan. Period. No one will take it away. No matter what.
House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) also lied when she pledged: Keep your doctor, and your current plan, if you like them.
This isnt just partisan business. Its personal. Our cancellation letter states that Anthem is not going to be selling new individual PPO plans. When we asked whether we could keep our childrens doctors, an agent for Anthem told my husband and me that she didnt know. The insurer has no details available yet on what exactly theyll be offering. We either will be herded into the Obamacare federal health-insurance-exchange regime (launching October 1), a severely limited HMO plan, or well be presented with costlier alternatives from another insurer. If they even exist.
My family is not alone. Across the country, insurers are sending out Obamacare-induced health-plan death notices to untold tens of thousands of other customers in the individual market. Twitter users are posting their Obamacare cancellation notices and accompanying rate increases:
Linda Deright posted the news she received from her insurance company, Regence of Washington State: 63 percent jump, old policy of 15 yrs. cancelled. Karen J. Dugan wrote: Received same notice from Blue Shield CA for our small business. Driving into exchange and no info since online site is down. Chris Birk wrote: Got notice from BCBS that my current health plan is not ACA compliant. New plan 2x as costly for worse coverage. Small-business owner Villi Wilson posted his letter from HMSA Blue Cross Blue Shield canceling his individual plan and added: I thought Obama said if I like my health care plan, I can keep my health care plan.