[Multibilly]

Multi-State Plans

by Multibilly on Tue Oct 28, 2014 7:45 am

If you are in the USA and looking at an Obmacare plan, you might not know about these multi-state plans. My understanding is that they will eventually be rolled out to all 50 states.

http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/multi-state-plan-program/

Granted they tend to be only available in the upper metal levels (gold, etc., ... at least that is the case in Colorado) of the various plans, but they do potentially give you the ability to seek out a best-in-class multiple myeloma facility or doctor in a different state.

[Carol of Eden]

Re: Multi-State Plans

by Carol of Eden on Sat Nov 01, 2014 1:09 pm

Hi Multibilly,

I am interested in considering new insurance options because I have a vacation home in another state, where I may eventually move and I'd like a plan that would cover Mayo which is close to one home.

In looking up a bit about these multi-state plans, it looks like they were created to help forward the ACA because many states were underserved by available plans (maybe having 2 plan options was a legal requirement - I don't have time to research this again at the moment, but I don't think the motivation was to help people who need health care in more than one state).

I saw some info (I think on Kaiser Foundation website) that SOME of these plans have in-plan networks covering multiple states, and some do not.

I followed a link to get a quote for one of the Blue Cross Anthem MSP's and it asked, among other things, if I had a diagnosis in the last 5 years. I'm guessing that a "yes" answer would have triggered the question of what that diagnosis was, but not sure - the problem with online applications is that usually you have to fill out a bunch of info before you can even see the REST of what they want - in this case very troubling. Not sure why they asked that - I thought it is now illegal to consider health history since this January.

Anyway, thanks for this idea!

[Multibilly]

Re: Multi-State Plans

by Multibilly on Sat Nov 01, 2014 2:32 pm

1. My understanding is that if an existing off-exchange plan is considered "grandfathered" by the ACA, then it can continue to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions both to current and new applicants, if that was its policy. That may be what your are encountering.

2. You can also just go through a registration process using a fictitious name, address and telephone number so that you can get a quote. I would suggest also setting your browser to a private browsing mode before entering the site. I do this all the time when trying to get various insurance quotes of all types where I don't want the company to have any record of my answers and/or I don't want to be contacted by them or added to various spam lists. Beforehand, you can also just create a new email account with no hint of your name in the email address for these kinds of purposes.

3. But why don't you just explore the MSP plans on your exchange? Are you thinking you will find a less-expensive plan off the exchange?

[Carol of Eden]

Re: Multi-State Plans

by Carol of Eden on Sat Nov 01, 2014 5:05 pm

Hi Multibilly,

I thought I WAS following a link from the plans that they said were MSP, which I believe ARE on the exchange, or, since not confined to one state, maybe "exchange" is not the right term, but are under ACA - ? However, links can go to other places, and in this case I think it went to a service that accesses many different plans. Are there any grandfathered plans accepting new applicants? - I didn't think so, but don't know this business well.

Those are great ideas about how to stay confidential while exploring options. Thank you!

I have a grandfathered individual plan, which I signed up for 32 year ago. It has been my lifeline, since I got bladder cancer at 30 and various modest conditions - never sure if I could get any other insurance AT ALL. It terrifies me to think of dropping my present plan, which is considerably cheaper with lower copays / MOOP than ANY of the new plans. And what if Obamacare gets struck down??

The reasons to change for me would be

1. Access to Mayo or other multiple myeloma specialists and cancer centers with variety of clinical trials which I do not have now (I have City of Hope which has "transplant specialists" if I progress from SMM),
2. Subsidy as I am single, self-employed and income way down, partly living on my savings. No access to unemployment, SS or medicare - I'm 55,
3. No coverage at my vacation home, and
4. A problem with my insurer that I don't want to go into in this post.

When you seek out these quotes, do you get them right on the website you are on, or do they have to contact you (which I guess would require the alternate email address)? I feel that to ask enough questions to really know if a plan would work for me, I'd need a knowledgeable agent and would have to tell them my situation.

Carol

[Multibilly]

Re: Multi-State Plans

by Multibilly on Sat Nov 01, 2014 10:16 pm

Carol,

It doesn't sound like you've gone on to your specific state's ACA health exchange yet, but are instead trying to link to various ACA exchange plans via other sites. If there are ACA multi-state plans that are available for purchase in your state, they will be listed on your state's ACA exchange. I think you also already know that there could be altogether new plans listed under your state's ACA exchange come November 15th. If you don't know where your state's health exchange site is, just google "<your state's name> health exchange".