Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Affordable

I've taken a look at the Bronze plans in New York State. This one has a premium for an individual of $348 per month.

What you get for your $4,176 per year is the requirement that you pay $3000 out of pocket before qualifying for a 50% copay on most services.  The well care visits, checkups and so forth, have no copays, but you're still out of pocket for the first $3,000.  


Of course there are subsidies for the bottom quintile. But who will buy this without those subsidies? Participating DOES get you in network pricing (h/t Richard Mayhew for the reminder) which is a big deal as a practical matter.  Sorta like Mafia shakedowns.  $4200 for the right to pay $3000 out of pocket in network is a little steep.